Ephedrine

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evidence score

fat loss

Prescription Only

ephedrine HClephedra alkaloidMa Huang (plant source)+1 more

Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic alkaloid originally from the Chinese herb Ma Huang (Ephedra sinica), FDA-approved for nasal congestion and bronchospasm. It was widely used in weight loss supplements until the FDA banned ephedra dietary supplements in 2004 following cardiovascular adverse events. Pharmaceutical-grade ephedrine HCl remains prescription-available. The ECA stack (ephedrine + caffeine + aspirin) was one of the most studied fat loss combinations, with multiple RCTs showing 2-3x greater weight loss than placebo. Mechanism: releases norepinephrine/epinephrine and acts as alpha/beta adrenergic agonist and mild MAOI. Significant side effect and cardiovascular risk profile.

Evidence

No score yet

Safety

Unknown safety profile

Clinical Status

No formal phase listed

Research Sync

Not synced yet

Dosing

Typical

25 mg

20 mgRange75 mg

Frequency3x/day (standard ECA cycle)

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Pharmacology

Half-life~3-6 hours

OnsetThermogenic effects within 30-60 minutes

DurationActive effects 4-6 hours; tolerance develops within 1-2 weeks without cycling

Routes

oral

Evidence Score

—

0 studies indexed

Scoring Factors

Volume(40%)—

Quality(30%)—

Sample Size(10%)—

Consistency(10%)—

Replication(5%)—

Recency(5%)—

Evidence Levels

AScore ≥75 with at least 1 meta-analysis and 3+ RCTs

BScore ≥50 with at least 1 RCT or meta-analysis

CScore ≥25 — observational or animal evidence only

DScore <25 — very limited or preclinical data

Plain-English Snapshot

Ephedrine is currently categorized as a fat loss compound.

Evidence scoring has not been fully computed yet, so interpret this profile as preliminary.

Safety scoring is incomplete. Start conservatively and monitor carefully.

Core mechanism

Indirect sympathomimetic (releases NE/E from presynaptic terminals); direct alpha and beta adrenergic agonism; mild MAO inhibition; increases thermogenesis, lipolysis, bronchodilation

Practical Context

Strongest current signals

No indexed study summaries yet.

Elevated caution signals

1 severe/high side effect flag