Health controversy surrounds diet pills
Robyn Melamed
Issue date: 4/10/01 Section: Lifestyles
“These reports of death are not properly investigated,” Rothmiller said. “They are not based on fact and hard data, but instead are based on anecdotes.”
Recent studies performed by Harvard and Columbia universities have proven that ephedra dietary supplements are safe and effective. Also, Cantox Health Sciences International assessed all available scientific information, focusing on 19 clinical trials, and found that ephedra was both safe and beneficial for weight loss at the 90-milligram-per-day dosage. Cantox concluded that there is no association between serious adverse events and ephedra when consumed as directed.
Yet, many health professionals are still worried. Dr. Robert Winfield, interim director of University Health Services at the University of Michigan, disagrees that the dangers of ephedrine are exaggerated.
“At UHS, we discourage the use of anything containing ephedrine,” Winfield said. “One of the most dangerous side effects of this drug is severe stroke.”
Prescription diet pills that do not contain ephedrine are available at UHS, but the staff only uses them in specific types of cases.
“All of our staff are hesitant to use these drugs unless there are specific, serious medical health problems that need to be addressed,” Winfield said. “Diet pills can be helpful in assisting in weight loss when managing diabetes and high blood pressure in the presence of severe obesity, however they are not a panacea and may have significant side effects.”
Although UHS regulates the distribution of diet pills, the FDA does not. Because these products are commonly marketed as dietary supplements, there is little or no pre-market review by the FDA on their safety or effectiveness, dosage information or monitoring advice.
Some consumer advocates are working to change these conditions. Barbara Michal founded the organization Halt Ephedrine Abuse Today after her son died of ephedrine use.
“Ephedrine is nothing more than speed,” Michal said. “It is a powerful cardiovascular and central nervous system stimulant and is as rewarding as cocaine.”
Recent studies performed by Harvard and Columbia universities have proven that ephedra dietary supplements are safe and effective. Also, Cantox Health Sciences International assessed all available scientific information, focusing on 19 clinical trials, and found that ephedra was both safe and beneficial for weight loss at the 90-milligram-per-day dosage. Cantox concluded that there is no association between serious adverse events and ephedra when consumed as directed.
Yet, many health professionals are still worried. Dr. Robert Winfield, interim director of University Health Services at the University of Michigan, disagrees that the dangers of ephedrine are exaggerated.
“At UHS, we discourage the use of anything containing ephedrine,” Winfield said. “One of the most dangerous side effects of this drug is severe stroke.”
Prescription diet pills that do not contain ephedrine are available at UHS, but the staff only uses them in specific types of cases.
“All of our staff are hesitant to use these drugs unless there are specific, serious medical health problems that need to be addressed,” Winfield said. “Diet pills can be helpful in assisting in weight loss when managing diabetes and high blood pressure in the presence of severe obesity, however they are not a panacea and may have significant side effects.”
Although UHS regulates the distribution of diet pills, the FDA does not. Because these products are commonly marketed as dietary supplements, there is little or no pre-market review by the FDA on their safety or effectiveness, dosage information or monitoring advice.
Some consumer advocates are working to change these conditions. Barbara Michal founded the organization Halt Ephedrine Abuse Today after her son died of ephedrine use.
“Ephedrine is nothing more than speed,” Michal said. “It is a powerful cardiovascular and central nervous system stimulant and is as rewarding as cocaine.”
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