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Ephedrine Abuse Among 36 Female Weightlifters
Author(s) -
Gruber Amanda J.,
Pope Harrison G.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1521-0391.1998.tb00344.x
Subject(s) - ephedrine , athletes , medicine , adverse effect , eating disorders , stimulant , substance abuse , psychiatry , anesthesia , physical therapy
Ephedrine, a central nervous system stimulant, is widely available over the counter in nutritional supplements for bodybuilders and other athletes. Recently, federal agencies in the United States have reported growing numbers of adverse events attributable to use of this drug. The authors describe preliminary observations of 36 dedicated female athletes who reported ephedrine use. Many of these women had used the drug for years, often in high doses. Most had experienced at least some adverse effects and seven (19%) displayed frank ephedrine dependence at the time of the interview. Eating disorders and disorders of body image appeared to be especially prevalent among ephedrine users.