more ephedra news

[goloid]

City waitress sues over ephedra



An Oklahoma City waitress who took an energy-enhancing supplement with ephedra and had a stroke later that day filed a $125 million civil lawsuit Wednesday, claiming the popular herb contributed to her left-side paralysis.
Ella Yvonne Holladay, 66, names as defendants Phoenix Health Products of California and a Conoco gasoline station where she bought a packet of "Ultra Energy Now" tablets June 24, 2001.

The lawsuit filed in Oklahoma County District Court claims Ultra Energy Now contained ephedra and other ingredients that when combined were hazardous to Holladay and "to the public as a whole."

The woman's attorneys allege Ultra Energy Now was "a dangerously defective product in its manufacturing, processing, design, labeling and lack of warnings" and "unfit for the purposes contemplated by the ordinary consumer."

The lawsuit contends Ultra Energy Now lists Ma Huang on its label, but doesn't state that ephedra is a primary active ingredient of Ma Huang. The lawsuit charges "reckless, willful and wanton disregard for the safety of the public."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday that warning labels must be placed on bottles and packets of ephedra because it has been linked to life-threatening side effects, even when used by outwardly healthy people in recommended doses.

That's because it speeds the heart rate and constricts blood vessels, according to the FDA. Effects from the herb can be exacerbated by exercise and the use of other stimulants such as caffeine, according to the agency.

The Washington-based Ephedra Education Council says the herb is safe when taken as directed. Because it is an herb, federal law allows manufacturers to sell it over the counter.

Consumer advocates have pushed for a ban of the amphetamine-like stimulant.

The FDA has told 24 companies that target ephedra to young athletes and bodybuilders to stop that type of marketing.

Numerous attempts Wednesday to contact representatives of Phoenix Health Products of Oak View, Calif., were unsuccessful.

[Jock]

Another instance of misuse, but this case has far more credibility. The woman was obviously unaware that what she was taking contained ephedrine.

This is where regulation like Cougar suggested in the 'Banning Ephedra is B.S!' thread, should be implemented.

Jock

[1more]

sorry but im thinking she was a pretty silly goat at her age for taking an 'energy enhancer' without any medical advice....bit of common sense gone astray on her part i think, and what the **** $125 million!!!! gotta be BS, thats outrageous, it states that she "later that day filed for $125 million" must have recovered quickly, how the hell can she justify that kinda money!?!?

I dont know the product that she is suing, but these products usually clearly state that, "to consult a medical practitioner before using it", at her age thats exactly what common sense would tell you to do, especially if your already under stress, i mean why did she need it in the first place?!?