Ephedrine ???? Anythoughts???

Has anyone taken, or know someone who has taken Ephedrine?  What were the outcomes etc.????  Any thoughts???

here are some outcomes.

thank you! i have seen most of the outcomes.  I talked to my doctor about it, she really didn't say anything cause you can only get it in really small doses here.

then what was your question?

I took it for a while when I lived in the US.  I took half the dose it said to take on the bottle because if I took the full dose, it made my heart race, I'd feel sick, get hot and feel faint.  I wouldn't recommend it, I felt better when I lost weight the old fashioned way.  I did lose weight over that period, but I was exercising every day and not really eating - crazy times, I'm much better now and wouldn't go near it again.  I heard it had been banned anyway? 

my question was just any thoughts on it? if anyone had used it.  It is only legal here if it's sold in 8mg pills.  i don't take lots of it only about 24mg per day which is the legal dose.  I find it gives me more energy, i can clean etc. a heck of alot more and not feel so tired.

My thoughts - a person would have to be nuts to take this stuff, given the proof that it has killed people. 

people only die if they are stupid about it or if they mix drugs that they are not supposed to.

the use of prescriptions and even over the counter drugs should only be used for the intended purposes; to treat the illness they are supposed to help. 

taking them for any other reason is considered "off-labeling" and can be dangerous and deadly.  There is a reason that ephedrine has been regulated in the US...

Please reconsider your use of the drug and please understand that people care. 

No one here will support any type of behaviour that may be harmful to you or the illegal use or off label use of drugs for weight loss which can be symptomatic of a person with an eating disorder.

From the posting guidelines:

Promotion of habits that exhibit signs of an eating disorder ("pro-ana", "pro-mia", etc.) is prohibited.

Most sincerely, united (volunteer moderator)

I have used a diet supplement about 5 years ago that contained ephedrine called Ripped Fuel.  I have to say that it assisted me in weight loss and appetite control however, in 2 months I went into a severe depression where I had to be prescriped anti-depressants to control my mood.  After stopping using the supplement in a few weeks I went back to normal.  I was almost crazy for a while there...not easy to deal with and had a constant cloud over my head.  I would strongly advise you NOT to experiement with it.  The concerns are valid and healthwise it is a very scary thing to mess with.  With that said, I do now take a supplement without the ephedrine called Hydroxycut Hardcore and have to say, yes I admit, I dont think it works!!  I eat 1200-1400 daily, exercise 5X week and only really lose 1-1.5lbs a week.  Nothing drastic like they say in commercials....It is expensive and for some may have health risks.  I feel okay when use it and am in very good health but it is not for everyone.  I was not using it as a magic pill but instead to excelerate my weightloss slightly but I now think I wont be buying anymore....just my opinion and my experience with supplements...

I totally agree with you Mudgirl: "People only die if they are stupid about it or if they mix drugs that they are not supposed to."

"... [A] person would have to be nuts to take this stuff, given the proof that it has killed people."

Well, then I guess people that take perscription drugs are nuts because that stuff kills people all the time. First they take Ephedra away from us (I don't use it by the way), next they will take our vitamins/minerals/herbs -- this actually is already in the works. If it comes to fruition we would have to go to a doctor to get our multivitamins or a vitamin C tablet. I don't want the government telling ME what I can and cannot do. I'll decide that for myself. 

there's a lot of difference between a multi-vitamin and ephedra/ephedrine...

Here are two links to information about Ephedra (the plant) and Ephedrine (the drug derived from the plant), along with the introductory paragraphs. Bold emphasis is mine.

Ephedra  http://nccam.nih.gov/health/alerts/ephedra/co nsumeradvisory. htm

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises consumers to stop using dietary supplements containing ephedra. In order to protect consumers, the FDA published a final rule on April 12, 2004, that bans the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids.

After a careful review of the available evidence about the risks and benefits of ephedra in supplements, the FDA found that these supplements present an unreasonable risk of illness or injury to consumers. The data showed little evidence of ephedra's effectiveness, except for short-term weight loss, while confirming that the substance raises blood pressure and stresses the heart. The increased risk of heart problems and strokes negates any benefits of weight loss.

Ephedra is a naturally occurring substance that comes from botanicals. The principal active ingredient ephedrine is an amphetamine-like compound that can powerfully stimulate the nervous system and heart. Ephedrine alkaloids are found naturally in a number of plants, including the ephedra species (also known by the traditional Chinese medicine name--ma huang or Chinese Ephedra, or epitonin). In recent years, ephedra products have been marketed as dietary supplements to promote weight loss, increase energy, and enhance athletic performance.

Ephedrine
http://www.medicinenet.com/ephedrine-oral/art icle.htm

WARNING: This drug should not be used in combination with other stimulant products (e.g., caffeine), other cough-and-cold products, or as a dietary supplement for the purpose of weight loss or body building. Doing so may increase your risk of unlikely but potentially fatal side effects including: stroke, heart attack, seizures, or severe mental disorders (see Side Effects section and Precautions section). In addition, dietary supplements containing ephedrine should not exceed 8 mg as a single ephedrine dose, 24 mg of ephedrine per day (24 hours), or be given for longer than 7 days, as recommended by the FDA. Exceeding the recommended ephedrine dose increases your risk of the side effects noted above. For detailed information, consult your pharmacist. Check all product labels carefully to see if they contain ephedrine or ephedra/ma huang.

mudgirl, are you looking for approval?  United2gether and others have given you ample information to make a decision on your own.  Don't get annoyed because some answers aren't what you wanted to hear.

To those approving of this, I direct you to the posting guidelines which prohibit the encouragement of unhealthful behavior.

Speaking as someone that used to take to much of it, I'm inclined to agree with clairelaine - you kinda do have to be crazy to take it... I knew at the time that I wasn't being very kind to my body.  The science of losing weight is all on this site, eat below your maintenance calories, and exercise more and you will lose weight, you have to - its science!   Does the doctor who is prescribing this for you, know you're taking it to lose weight?  Have there been any studies as to what happens to your body when you stop taking it?  If your metabolism has adjusted to allow for the drug, do you put on weight when you stop taking it??

I think what alot of people are saying is (clairlaine and unitedtogether) is that the use of ephedrine is a high risk practise and this forum (calorie counters) will in no way promote a unhealthy and dangerous lifestyle.  You do however have a right to ask and because you are not getting the approval from others doesnt warrant defensiveness.  One thing I have learned about this forum is they are full of support and alot of understanding but when it comes to this sort of thing and diet supplements they are morally obligated to tell you the truths they know of and explain all the facts available.  From someone who does use a diet supplement (not ephedrine) I too have gotten defensive when I ask a question about it and you kinda get jumped on.  Bombarded with links to articles and research.  Are they right though?  I think they are and I (like you) might not want to admit it????   Bottom line though, it is our body we can choose to do what we want to do but dont expect to come to this forum and be told it is okay to put yourself at risk.  I hope this makes sense and not hypocritical...

To everyone who has responded or will respond?  I THANK YOU!!  I was not being defensive, i just want to know what your thoughts were, i was not looking for approval as i know it is not good for me or the proper way to loose weight.  I appreciate the concern you all have shown.  My doctor has not perscribed them to me and I have since QUIT taking them as they will Interact with the ZYBAN that I am taking so I can quit smoking.  I have found out however that Zyban does the similar things, as in the loss of appatite, which in some ways are good and others it's bad. I have a hard enough time trying to eat my necessary calories through out the day.  If i came off as being annoyed i appologize i was not.  I simply put this post up to see what people had to say about it, aproving or NOT.

Thanks,

Dianna

Dianna ~ Thank you :)  You are always welcome to post your questions and concerns...

& thank you too to everyone who took time to post your thoughts and information.  It's how we all learn, what I think makes these forums here gr8, and also how I also figured out to quit trying radical stuff... 

Dianna ~ I am thrilled to hear you are trying to quit smoking.  It is the best, most important and fastest thing you can do to improve your health!  I know it's hard.  Been there, barely done that... but with the help of friends, finally quit.  Have you visited the stop smoking support group thread here?  Lot's of good info, resources, tips and support there... 

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/1326 5.html

United thanks i didn't know that there was a support group thread here.  I want to be able to jog with my friend who does marathons, and play soccer so i figure quiting smoking and losing weight would help both.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE SUPPORT!!

Has anyone managed to get Ephedrap57 delivered to the Uk from the United States?

I took it for a long time and after coming out of it, it took me quite awhile for my body to get back to normal. I only used small doses, but that, over the long-term, was enough to screw up my heart and metabolism. The acute withdrawal period wasn't too bad, as withdrawal syndromes go - mostly just lots of fatigue that could be partially fought with caffeine - but healing took well over a year.

I'd avoid it.

Thanks for that ..ill keep that in mind...Ive had it on  order for delivery in the UK but have received anything. tried to call them but get no answer? nor answers to my email ...was yours delivered to the uk?