Ephedrine
is a stimulant that is used as an ingredient in diet pills, illegal
recreational drugs, and legitimate over-the-counter medications
to treat congestion and asthma. Ephedrine has a molecular structure
similar to amphetamine. Both can produce the following adverse reactions:
heart attack, stroke, tachycardia, paranoid psychosis, depression,
convulsions, coma, fever, vomiting, palpitations, hypertension,
and respiratory depression.