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Ephedra is a deadly drug
[MARCH 1, 2003]
SPRINGFIELD -- Due to several recent deaths linked to
over-the-counter herbal supplements containing ephedra, state Rep.
Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, is calling on his fellow lawmakers to
prohibit the sale of any of these products, including Metabolife,
Xenodrine and Yellow Jackets, to both children and adults.
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According to Rep.
Mitchell, Illinois does not currently have a law prohibiting the
sale of ephedrine. Because it is marketed as a dietary supplement,
the FDA cannot regulate the drug. Ephedrine can produce several
adverse reactions such as heart attack, stroke, depression,
convulsions, coma, fever, hypertension and respiratory depression.
"Ephedra is marketed
as a weight-loss supplement and an energy booster; whereas, in
reality, the drug actually increases one's heart rate to an often
fatal pace," Mitchell said. "Unfortunately, this drug is suspected
in many deaths, and I want to ensure this does not continue to
happen."
Last year,
16-year-old Lincoln native Sean Riggins suffered a heart attack on
his living room couch after taking a supplement containing ephedra.
The pills were a perfectly legal product sold on the shelves of many
merchants and are currently manufactured and concocted from the
leaves of the Asian ma huang plant and caffeine. Many of these types
of products are labeled with the warning "Not for use by individuals
under 18"; however, it is not illegal for underage individuals to
buy or ingest them.
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"After Sean's
unfortunate and unnecessary death, as well as the recent death of
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler, the easy accessibility of
ephedra products in Illinois stores and gas stations becomes all too
real and must be regulated," Mitchell said. "They are unsafe
products, and I hope my colleagues in both the House and Senate will
agree to take them off our local store shelves."
House Bill 2311 is a bipartisan effort
co-sponsored by Rep. Mitchell and Rep. Sara Feigenholtz. The measure
has been assigned to the House Criminal Law Committee, where it will
wait approval to proceed to the floor.
[News
release] |
