Ephedra Dosing Tied to Stroke Risk

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--Researchers found that the risk for hemorrhagic stroke may increase when taking larger doses of ephedra. In the Jan. 14 edition of Neurology (60, 1:132-5, 2003) (www.neurology.org), lead researcher Lewis Morgenstern, M.D., from the University of Michigan, and colleagues reviewed data based on more than 700 young to middle-aged hemorrhagic stroke patients and 1,400 controls who had not experienced strokes.

The odds of having a stroke were found to be more than three-and-a-half-fold when taking more than 32 mg/d of ephedra within three days before a stroke. When taking less than 32 mg/d, the risk was not significant. The dietary supplement industry recommends taking no more than 25 mg of ephedrine alkaloids per serving and no more than 100 mg per day. Morgenstern et al noted, however, only a small number of stroke patients reported using ephedra.

Due to the holiday, industry representatives were not immediately available for comment.