Drug Interactions With Ephedra
QT-prolonging medications, diabetes medications, and MAOIs are medications that can cause potentially negative interactions with Ephedra. These drug interactions result in extremely dangerous side effects, such as irregular heart rhythm. before taking Ephedra with other medications, be sure to talk with your health are provider.
Some of the medicines that can potentially interact with Ephedra, also known as ma huang, are listed below:
* Decongestant like pseudoephedrine
* Diabetes medications
* Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also called MAOIs
* Any other stimulants, which include cocaine, amphetamines, caffeine, and several other weight loss products
Others include the following:
o Rasagiline, Azilect
o Tranylcypromine, Parnate
o Isocarboxazid, Marplan
o Selegiline, Eldepryl, Zelapar, Emsam
o Phenelzine, Nardil
* Theophylline (TheoCap, Elixophylin, Uniphyl, Theo-24, Uniphyl)
* QT-prolonging mediations; these are medications that increase the risk of dangerous irregular heart rhythm known as QT prolongation
* Seizure medications
Ephedra is not a safe weight loss supplement when it is used alone or in conjunction with other medications or supplements. Very important to keep in mind, is the fact that the sale of Ephedra has been banned in the United States.
When Ephedra is combined with any of the drugs listed above, potentially negative interactions will occur. Below is a detailed explanation to this effect.
Seizure Medications Do not take Ephedra if you take any seizure medications. Ephedra can make seizure medications less effective.
Theophylline (Uniphyl, Theocron, TheoCap, Theo-24, Elixophyllin) Do not use Ephedra with theophylline. Combining Ephedra with theophylline could lead to serious side effects.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) If you take an MAOI, do not take any products that contain Ephedra. Combining an MAOI with Ephedra can lead to life-threatening reactions.
QT-Prolonging Medications Combining Ephedra with a QT-prolonging medication could increase the risk of QT prolongation, a very dangerous irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
Any Other Stimulants Ephedra contains ephedrine and other stimulants, which can be dangerous when taken with other stimulants. Do not combine Ephedra with any other stimulant.
Diabetes Medications Do not take Ephedra with a diabetes medication. Ephedra may increase your blood sugar, which can make diabetes medications less effective.
Decongestants Taking them together may increase the risk of side effects. Do not take Ephedra with a decongestant. Some of the stimulants and many nasal decongestants are chemically related.
Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the drug interactions of Ephedra that may apply specifically to you. There is a possibility that not every drug interaction may be discussed in this article. Be open and honest with your healthcare provider about taking Ephedra, although the sale of this drug is banned in the United State.
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