Neurology. 2003 Jan; 60(1): 132-5.

Use of Ephedra-containing products and risk for hemorrhagic stroke.

Morgenstern LB, Viscoli CM, Kernan WN, Brass LM, Broderick JP, Feldmann E, Wilterdink JL, Brott T, Horwitz RI.

Stroke Program, Department of Neurology, University of Texas at Houston, USA. lmorgens@umich.edu

This case-control study examined the association between Ephedra use and risk for hemorrhagic stroke. For use of Ephedra at any dose during the 3 days before the stroke, the adjusted OR was 1.00 (95% CI 0.32 to 3.11). For daily doses of < or =32 mg/day, the OR was 0.13 (95% CI 0.01 to 1.54), and for >32 mg/day, the OR was 3.59 (95% CI 0.70 to 18.35). Ephedra is not associated with increased risk for hemorrhagic stroke, except possibly at higher doses.