what is ephedra side effects and safety concerns

Alternative Medicine
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All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Headache; irritability; stomach upset.
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Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); changes in skin appearance; changes in vision; chest pain; difficulty with urination; dizziness; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness; mood changes; nausea; nervousness; numbness in an arm or leg; seizures; severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; slurred speech or confusion; sudden leg pain; sudden severe headache; trouble sleeping; vomiting.
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Important safety information:

This product may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to ephedra. Using this product alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using ephedra.
Check with your doctor before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, including medicine containing potassium or sodium citrate, sodium acetate, sodium bicarbonate, or sodium lactate.
Do not exceed the recommended dose of this product or take it for longer than recommended. Exceeding the recommended dose or taking for longer than recommended may be habit-forming. When used in high doses, this product may cause serious side effects, including high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and seizures. Do not use this product for more than 7 days at a time. Use of this product for longer than 7 days may also lead to a worsening of your condition. If used for longer than 7 days, do not suddenly stop using this product. Check with your doctor to see if a gradual reduction in dose is recommended.