Arditti J, Bourdon J H, Spadari M, de Haro L, Richard N, Valli M
Hôpital Salvator, Laboratoire de Toxicologie Centre antipoison 249 boulevard de Sainte Marguerite-13009 Marseille.
Acta Clin Belg. 2002;57 Suppl 1:34-6.
Dietary supplements containing Ma Huang (chinease ephedra) are available on the web sites and dietary shops in USA. They are widely promoted and used as a mean of weight reduction and energy enhancement. They contain Ma Huang alone or combined with Guarana (caffeine), creatine, St John's wort, carnitine and are proposed with different labels. Numerous reports of adverse reactions and acute intoxication related to these products use were described in the medical literature. In the light of the severity of these cases, some of which resulted in permanent injury and death, the Food and Drug Administration has proposed limits on the dose and duration of use of such supplements. A review of 140 reports submitted to the FDA between June 1997 and March 1999, 47% involved cardiovascular symptoms, 18% neurological symptoms. Severe hypertension was the single most frequent adverse effect followed by tachycardia, myocardial infarction, stroke, seizure. Ten events resulted in death and 13 produced permanent impairment. In France, ampleness of the use of dietary supplements containing ephedra alkaloids is unknown. Two French recent severe poisonings (one with "ripped Fuel" for losing weight and the other with "Energy pills" in a body builder) show that there is serious health risks for the chronic users. Dietary supplements are not subject to control under "la Direction Générale de la Santé". Informations for general public, medical community and health-care authorities are necessary to be aware of potential health hazards of these products use.
含麻黄（中国麻黄）的膳食补充剂在美国的网站和膳食商店有售。它们被广泛推广并用作减肥和增强能量的手段。它们单独含有麻黄，或与瓜拉那（咖啡因）、肌酸、圣约翰草、肉碱混合，并带有不同的标签。医学文献中描述了许多与这些产品使用相关的不良反应和急性中毒报告。鉴于这些病例的严重性，其中一些导致了永久性损伤和死亡，美国食品药品监督管理局已提议限制此类补充剂的使用剂量和使用期限。对1997年6月至1999年3月提交给美国食品药品监督管理局的140份报告进行的审查显示，47%涉及心血管症状，18%涉及神经症状。严重高血压是最常见的单一不良反应，其次是心动过速、心肌梗死、中风、癫痫发作。有10起事件导致死亡，13起造成永久性损伤。在法国，含麻黄生物碱的膳食补充剂的使用范围尚不清楚。法国最近发生的两起严重中毒事件（一起是一名减肥者服用“撕裂燃料”，另一起是一名健美运动员服用“能量丸”）表明，长期使用者存在严重的健康风险。膳食补充剂不在“法国卫生总局”的监管范围内。有必要向公众、医学界和卫生保健当局提供信息，使他们了解使用这些产品可能存在的健康危害。
