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12-30-2003, 11:09 AM
CNN) -- Federal officials will announce Tuesday a ban on the sale of the herbal supplement ephedra because of continued health concerns about the product.
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Mark McClellan were expected to make a statement later Tuesday.
Ephedra is an herbal supplement that is found in many over-the-counter products designed to help people lose weight or increase their energy, and has long been the subject of criticism.
In February, a medical examiner said an ephedra supplement was linked to the death of Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Steve Bechler.
A study commissioned by the National Institutes of Health also called into safety the use of ephedra, saying it was associated with higher risks of heart palpitations, tremors and insomnia.
Other studies have also suggested links to health problems.
The Annals of Internal Medicine reported this year that, although products with ephedra make up less than 1 percent of dietary supplement sales, it has accounted for 64 percent of the serious side effects that have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in association with dietary supplements.
A second study published in the journal Neurology found that the rate of strokes among ephedra users was higher than in nonusers. The supplement users in the study took more than 32 milligrams a day; some ephedra labels recommend almost 100 milligrams daily.
In October 2002, members of the American Medical Association testified before Congress on the dangers of ephedra, and the group has urged the Food and Drug Administration to ban the diet aid.
The AMA said ephedra use is linked to heart attacks, strokes and seizures, among other conditions.
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Mark McClellan were expected to make a statement later Tuesday.
Ephedra is an herbal supplement that is found in many over-the-counter products designed to help people lose weight or increase their energy, and has long been the subject of criticism.
In February, a medical examiner said an ephedra supplement was linked to the death of Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Steve Bechler.
A study commissioned by the National Institutes of Health also called into safety the use of ephedra, saying it was associated with higher risks of heart palpitations, tremors and insomnia.
Other studies have also suggested links to health problems.
The Annals of Internal Medicine reported this year that, although products with ephedra make up less than 1 percent of dietary supplement sales, it has accounted for 64 percent of the serious side effects that have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in association with dietary supplements.
A second study published in the journal Neurology found that the rate of strokes among ephedra users was higher than in nonusers. The supplement users in the study took more than 32 milligrams a day; some ephedra labels recommend almost 100 milligrams daily.
In October 2002, members of the American Medical Association testified before Congress on the dangers of ephedra, and the group has urged the Food and Drug Administration to ban the diet aid.
The AMA said ephedra use is linked to heart attacks, strokes and seizures, among other conditions.