Products containing pseudoephedrine are already considered prescription controlled substances in my state. Does this new law change this status? The law also clearly states that the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids directly to a licensed physician and licensed pharmacist is still legal if the product is intended for the treatment of patients under the direct care of a physician. (c) The label of food supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids or steroid hormone precursors shall clearly and prominently state the following: To report adverse events, call 1-800-332-1088. While ephedrine is banned in diet and sports supplements, it is still commonly used to treat allergic conditions such as bronchial asthma. It is also used in some medical procedures with anesthesia to prevent dangerous reductions in blood pressure. Many products containing caffeine and ephedra/ephedrine have not been shown to be effective for their intended use and have increased the rate and severity of the above side effects. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of domestic drug manufacturing plants detected by law enforcement. These artisanal labs not only produce a significant amount of illicit drugs such as methamphetamines, but also involve the use of highly reactive chemicals known to cause massive explosions and fires that result in injury and death. Not only is it illegal to manufacture controlled substances under California Health and Safety Code 11379.6 HSC, but it is also illegal to possess only drug-making materials. Under sections 11383 and 11383.5 HSC of the California Health and Safety Code, possession of materials to make drugs is a crime, and those convicted can be sent to prison.
There are a number of defenses that may be applicable to a defendant charged with possession of drug manufacturing equipment in violation of California Health and Safety Code sections 11383 and 11383.5 HSC. The defendant would not be guilty of this crime if he had a valid reason for possessing the listed chemicals and if he did not possess this equipment to produce methamphetamine or PCP. For example, it is not illegal for someone to purchase ephedrine or pseudoephedrine on their own, and the defendant may have a valid reason to purchase large quantities of cold medicine. However, prosecutors may use circumstantial evidence to show that the defendant possessed the material with the intent to produce a controlled substance. California Governor Gray Davis signed SB 582, a law banning the sale in California of dietary supplements containing any amount of ephedrine group alkaloids as of January 1, 2004. That is, ephedrine can be legally obtained for certain medical purposes where the benefits are supposed to outweigh the risks. According to this section of the code, it is illegal to possess piperidine and cyclohexanone used to make PCP, in addition to methylamine and phenyl-2-propoanone, which are used to make methamphetamine. It is also illegal to possess ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, which can be used to make methamphetamine. Supplements are not regulated, so it`s best to use them with caution, investigate their source, and question the health benefits claimed by the product`s manufacturers.
Consult your doctor before taking ephedrine and related products, and make sure you understand the legality of the medication in your condition. Some of the most dangerous side effects associated with the use of ephedra/ephedrine include: Will training be required for staff responsible for selling pseudoephedrine? What if I have more questions about pseudoephedrine or this new law? Yes, Sudafed PE is different from Sudafed. Sudafed contains the active substance pseudoephedrine, while the active substance in Sudafed PE is phenylephrine. In response to the problem of misuse of products containing pseudoephedrine, many companies are voluntarily reformulating their products to exclude phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. In addition, licensed naturopaths are exempt from the ban, except that the legislation legally restricts the reach of these practitioners by explicitly criminalizing their distribution of supplements containing ephedrine for weight loss, strength training, or athletic performance enhancement. The FDA announces new legal requirements for the legal sale and purchase of drugs containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine required by the Methamphetamine Epidemic Control Act of 2005. This new law provides a comprehensive control system for the distribution and sale of drugs that may be used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine. If you have additional questions about pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, or other medications, please contact the Division of Drug Information of the FDA`s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) at: 888-INFOFDA (888-463-6332) or email us at: druginfo@fda.hhs.gov Does this mean I need a prescription from my doctor to buy pseudoephedrine? The sale of dietary supplements containing alkaloids of the ephedrine group – ephedra – was previously allowed in California to adults over the age of 18.
The requirements of this Act apply to all products containing the ingredients pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine and ephedrine. A) WARNING: NOT INTENDED FOR PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE. DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING. Consult a physician or qualified licensed health care professional prior to use if you have heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression or other psychiatric disorders, glaucoma, difficulty urinating, enlarged prostate, or seizure disorders, or if you are using a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or other dietary supplement, a prescription or over-the-counter medication containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine (ingredients in some allergy, asthma, cough or cold and weight products). Ephedrine is a drug extracted from the plant Ephedra equisetina. It has been used for hundreds of years as both a stimulant and a decongestant. In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the sale of supplements containing ephedrine after a number of deaths and cases of side effects related to their use were reported. Yes, this new law limits the number of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine tablets that can be purchased within a 30-day period. Since there are many different dosages and formulations of these products, you should ask your pharmacist how much you are allowed to buy over a 30-day period for a particular product you are using.
The FDA recommends that consumers read the labels of over-the-counter drugs to determine if the product contains pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine. The FDA believes this is the most accurate method for determining the content of over-the-counter products, rather than providing an incomplete or outdated list of products that may already have been reformulated and no longer contain these ingredients. Shekelle P, Morton S, Maglione M. Ephedra and ephedrine for weight loss and athletic performance enhancement: clinical effectiveness and side effects. Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-rated Reviews [Internet]. 2003. The Methamphetamine Epidemic Control Act of 2005 was incorporated into the Patriot Bill signed by the President on 9 March 2006. The law would prohibit the over-the-counter sale of cold remedies containing ingredients commonly used to make methamphetamine, such as pseudoephedrine. How will this change the way pseudoephedrine is sold? Many people involved in homemade methamphetamine labs buy large amounts of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are found in over-the-counter cold medicines. The sale of these drugs has become more controlled and now people who want to buy cold medicine must present a valid ID.
They are prevented from buying large quantities of this drug and are reported when they try to buy cold remedies from different pharmacies to avoid detection. However, the use of ephedrine itself for these purposes is strictly regulated by drug control laws that vary from state to state. Many states require merchants to obtain proof of identity and keep records of all sales. The law does not apply to over-the-counter or prescription drugs containing ephedrine alkaloids, and licensed physicians are exempt from the prohibition, except that they are expressly prohibited from distributing these products for weight loss, strength training, or athletic performance enhancement.