March
28, 2003
"Ephedra-Free Diet Pills May Pose Serious Side Effects"
A new study conducted by researchers at the University of California in San Francisco found that two common ephedra-free dietary supplements increase heart rate among healthy users, and could pose potentially harmful side effects in some people.
The placebo-controlled study is the first to evaluate the pharmacological effects of the re-formulated weight loss supplements.
Researchers observed the effects on blood pressure and heart rate of two diet pills that contain citrus aurantium, a substance taken from the dried fruit peel of bitter orange and used in Chinese herbal medicine to treat gastrointestinal conditions. This new popular ingredient has replaced ephedra in weight loss supplements since its Food and Drug Administration ban in 2004 because of concerns about serious adverse side effects.
The clinical trial involved 10 healthy adults who were each given a single dose of one of the two pills or a placebo. The two weight loss supplements tested were Advantra Z and Xenadrine EFX. The study found that a single dose of both pills increased heart rate by an average of 11 to 16 beats per minute over baseline, which comes out to an 18 percent increase if the baseline rate is 80 beats per minute.
Additionally, scientists found that Xenadrine EFX also considerably increased blood pressure by seven to 12 percent. The results of the study found that Xenadrine EFX may have comparable acute cardiovascular stimulant effects as the banned ephedra supplements.
“These finding indicate that ephedra-free dietary supplements could have some of the same adverse health effects associated with previously available ephedra products, such as Metabolife 356 and Ripped Fuel,” said Dr. Christine Haller, assistant professor of medicine at UCSF and lead author of the study.
The researchers call for further examination of the safety and efficacy of bitter orange extract as well as long term dose studies to determine if side effects continue with repeated use of the drug.
Until more data is presented, experts urge doctors to warn patients about using ephedra-free diet pills and should monitor blood pressure in people who decide to use the supplements.
“Consumers should be aware that ephedra-free weight loss supplements have not been extensively tested for safety and the health effects are not well known,” Haller said.
People with hypertension, heart conditions, or other pre-existing ailments are advised to avoid diet pills, researchers concluded.
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