Health Professionals

Approximately 1/3 of Americans need to lose weight. Health professionals play a critical role in helping patients face and conquer the challenge of being overweight and the implications on your patients' overall health. This section can assist you in obtaining critical information about Ephedra products. Below is a report of a panel of medical and scientific experts that was presented at a 2-day hearing held in August 2000 by the Office of Women's Health at the Department of Health and Human Services. This report is an analysis of the science to help answer questions about Ephedra products. In addition to the report of the EEC expert panel, please refer to the Scientific Studies and Reports section for up to date information about other scientific studies and data on dietary supplements containing Ephedra.

Expert Panel Report

This report reflects the conclusions of the most comprehensive consensus panel review to date of the Ephedra safety issue. The EEC Expert Panel, composed of seven medical and scientific experts from a variety of relevant disciplines, was convened in response to a request for information on Ephedra from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Panel's review included comprehensive reviews of the published literature and the FDA's adverse event reports (AERs), as well as the only analysis of these reports relative to the background incidence of the adverse events at issue. The consensus findings of the Panel can be viewed by clicking here.

The EEC Expert Panel included the following medical and scientific professionals:

Stephen E. Kimmel, M.D.
Steven B. Karch, M.D.
Norbert P. Page, M.S. , D.V.M.
Theodore Farber, Ph.D., DABT
John W. Olney, M.D.
Grover M. Hutchins, M.D
Edgar H. Adams, M.S., Sc.D.

In addition to the consensus statement, the EEC panel members issued individual statements to the FDA on the safety of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids and on the adverse event reports (AERs). Click below to read the panel members' statements:

"Summary of Incidence of Seizures, Strokes, and Myocardial Infarctions in the Population and Estimations of Risk in the Population from Ephedra Products." Stephen E. Kimmel, M.D

Statement of Steven B. Karch, M.D.

"Safety and Benefits of Ephedrine Alkaloid-Containing Dietary Supplements." Norbert P. Page, M.S., D.V.M., and Theodore Farber, Ph.D., DABT, Toxichemica, International.

Statement of John W. Olney, M.D.

Statement of Grover M. Hutchins, M.D. "Review and Analysis of 276 Adverse Event Reports in FDA Docket."

Statement of Edgar H. Adams, M.S., Sc.D.

As a result of the EEC consensus and individual statements, a number of documents were written to help further explain the panel's findings. To view these items, click on the links below.

Table: Ephedra Consumption vs. Adverse Event Reports

Ephedra and Weight Loss

Analysis of Background Risk of Seizures, Strokes, and Myocardial Infarction Examination of FDA Literature on Ephedra

Analysis of FDA's Concerns Regarding Adverse Nervous System Effects

Analysis of Deaths Reported to FDA as Possibly Linked to Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids

Examination of Adverse Event Reports Released by FDA in April 2000

Examination of Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids and Abuse or Dependence

Examination of FDA's Scientific and Regulatory Decisions on Ephedra

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Ephedra Products Are Safe To Use

Experts have reviewed all historical and clinical data available and have concluded that Ephedra products are safe when taken in accordance with the American Herbal Products Association's recommended serving limits, warnings, and precautions (called Industry recommendation).

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FDA's Regulatory Power Over Ephedra Is Strong

Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), Congress gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to assure that dietary supplements, including Ephedra, are safe and are accurately and truthfully labeled. More details about DSHEA and FDA's regulatory power can be located in the Public Policy Center.

Unfortunately, FDA has failed to use its regulatory powers to get illicit products off the market despite repeated requests by the industry to require proper warning labels. Even without FDA's actions, the industry has taken a proactive approach by adopting national standards and supporting responsible regulations in several states to address important health-related issues, such as warnings, serving limits, etc.

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