To be worried about my friend taking ephedrine?

[kirstys23]

One of my friends has started taking Ephedrine over the last few weeks. She has always struggled with her weight, although she she isn't really big (about a sizw 16.) When she told me she was going to try it I googled it to find out what it was, I'd never heard of it before. From what I can see it is used in bodybuilding as an appetite depressant and an energy booster. She gets it from Canada as it is illegal here in its pure form. She has lost about half a stone over the last few weeks whilst taking it, and says she will keep on taking it until she reaches her goal weight. I told her I was concerned about her taking it because from what I have read it is really dangerous. It causes heart problems and is similar to speed in its properties. There must be a reason it is banned here.

Anyway, when I said I didn't think she should keep taking it she accused me of just being jealous of her weight loss and that she hadn't had any side affects. I don't want to interfere but I don't want her to take anything dangerous. Does anybody have any experience of Epherdrine and do you think I should just butt out?

*appetite supressent.

I have no personal experience of using it but I have some in my cupboards at home in the form of EpiPen.

It's pure adrenaline for people who go into anaphylactic shock of they are allergic to something.

Luckily I have not had to use it as all I have heard is how horrible the affects are

That probably doesn't answer your questions though.

It's certainly not safe to be using in pure form.
Her heart rate will be going crazy

I don't know much but I do know it can cause long term heart problems and if taken in high enough concentrated dose can cause heart attack... Maybe also tell your friend that she doesn't actually know what she is taking- it really could be anything. There are serious safety issues with buying banned drugs over the Internet.

I understand her joy at the weight loss but maybe encourage her to use this as the boost to get her started With a lifestyle change. She can think herself lucky nothing awful has happened from taking these drugs.

Oh - I'm not a healthcare professional just what I think I know... Maybe ask your gp for facts to help her (without naming her obviously).

Michelle Heaton used to take it too, and it gave her a heart defect. It shouldn't be so easy to get a hold of if it is that dangerous! I am going to forward her a few articles I've read and then take a step back, she is really defensive about it at the mo.

I think you can get it over the counter in the US. It's like speed, an American friend would take it to help weight loss (it didn't work)

I would be very concerned. This a drug that is given to patients suffering from extreme hypotension (low bp) and is widely used in the operating theatre and resus.
It is not something to piss about with at home. It is staggering to think people can get hold of this to lose weight.

Tell her to cut down on the pork pies and get some exercise.

Beaver I think you may be getting confused with epinephrine (the american name for adrenaline).

No it that is not a good idea to be taking ephedrine for weight loss at all. It is a particularly bad idea if you are buying of a dodgy internet site which doesn't have to conform with manufacturing or labelling regulations.

It is not actually banned in the UK (you can buy it from the chemist in various cough and cold remedies) It is a restricted substance though, not only due to the side effects but also because it is used in the manufacture of methamphetamine (crystal meth) so you should warn her that she could get in trouble apart from the health risks!

Some side effects of the licensed brand that is used in the UK for prevention of bronchospasm:

"tachycardia, anxiety,nausea, restlessness and insomnia. Tremor, dry mouth, impaired circulation to the extremities, hypertension, headache and cardiac arrhythmias may occur. Tolerance with dependence has been reported with prolonged administration.
Myocardial infarction has occurred very rarely in patients taking ephedrine or pseudoephedrine."

I have two (male) friends taking this and I'm equally concerned. They too get defensive when someone disagrees with them, and will not be convinced otherwise. Everyone who is ill/died from taking it "is an idiot who was doing it wrong" according to them. I ignore all conversations about it now, I can't stop then taking it but I can stop giving them the reaction they're looking for.

I'm sorry your friend is in a bad place with her weight, I think all you can do is be there for her and support her if/when she comes round to a healthy way of doing things.