When is it NOT safe for me to take Ephedra?

Please understand that this is only a general guide - again, please consult your physician before taking ephedra.

The following conditions can be problematic when taking ephedra for a few different reasons. First of all, the nature of the condition can be such that taking ephedra can actually worsen the symptoms of the pre-existing condition – this is the case for people with chest pains or heart disease, since the herb itself can increase a person’s heart rate, which can be quite dangerous to those individuals. On the other hand, complications with ephedra can also arise from interactions with the drugs that are prescribed for some of these conditions.

Studies have shown that people with the following conditions might have a higher risk of having complications while using ephedra:

• You are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• You have chest pains.
• You have an eating disorder (anorexia or bulimia).
• You have an enlarged prostate.
• You have problems with blood flow.
• You have diabetes.
• You have a movement disorder.
• You have glaucoma.
• You have heart disease.
• You have thyroid problems.
• You have high blood pressure.
• You have kidney stones.
• You have problems emptying your bladder.
• You have a condition called pheochromocytoma.