Worried about My Daughter

blueangel20110
blueangel20110 Posts: 42 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Has anyone heard about young women taking some kind of over the counter asthma medication, a caffeine pill and a baby aspirin to lose weight? My daughter was told of this diet and now she is trying it. It doesn't sound healthy to me. The asthma medication has a same ingredient in it that diet pills have in it, Ephedrine. This has me worried. She is 29 years old so she is a grown woman and I can't tell her what to do but I would like some advise as to how to guide her if this is not good for her. Her friend weighted 180 and is now down to 120 in 4 months. Supposedly, you do this regiment for 3 weeks and then take a week off. That's basically all I know about it. I'm sure it is just like the diet pills used to be and nothing but speed. Any thoughts?
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Replies

  • doggiesnot
    doggiesnot Posts: 334 Member
    Does she have asthma? If not, I don't think she should be taking medication for it. Taking two drugs together for a different symptom (weight loss?) sounds dangerous! She needs to be reminded about good old fashioned diet and exercise! There's no magic pill or group of pills, just hard work and dedication. Hope she understands this soon.
  • steph1278
    steph1278 Posts: 483 Member
    Never heard of it, but it doesn't sound good to me. Sounds dangerous. Plus, the weight will most likely come back once you stop taking it. I really don't understand why people always look for a quick fix rather than wanting to put in the neccessary work for long term health.
  • 4thehardman
    4thehardman Posts: 731 Member
    She is 29. Theres not much you can do. Print off a list of facts about the damage this can do to her and confront her. Let her read and make her own mind up.
    You could also speak to the pharmacies in her area and tell them that is what she is doing. They will stop selling it to her maybe.
    She sounds desperate to lose weight so make sure that you are around to help her find her path. Maybe take her to a weight watchers meeting or something if she wants to lose weight.

    Good Luck,. She is lucky to have you lookingout for her.
  • RejoicingL
    RejoicingL Posts: 95 Member
    This killed a famous young model about mmmm??? maybe 10 years ago...Does anyone remember who I am talking about?

    No it is dangerous, and illegal. Asthma meds are perscribed for medical reasons, not weight loss. To use someone else's would be illegal.

    (ETA:it was krissy taylor)
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    Explaine to her the long-term effects of what she is doing to her body.

    People I know who have used ephedrine destroyed their bodies and lives. One frien dvirtually has an inactive metabolism and heart problems because of it.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    This killed a famous young model about mmmm??? maybe 10 years ago...Does anyone remember who I am talking about?

    No it is dangerous, and illegal. Asthma meds are perscribed for medical reasons, not weight loss. To use someone else's would be illegal.
    Anna Nicole?
  • MissStatement
    MissStatement Posts: 92 Member
    Ephedrine plus caffeine? They took pills that had those off the market years ago due to a high incidence of adverse cardiac side effects.
  • steadk
    steadk Posts: 334 Member
    This killed a famous young model about mmmm??? maybe 10 years ago...Does anyone remember who I am talking about?

    No it is dangerous, and illegal. Asthma meds are perscribed for medical reasons, not weight loss. To use someone else's would be illegal.
    some asthma meds can be bought OTC for emergencies.. pharmacies don't like to sell them, but for those who can't get to a doc, and need it, its there.

    I sure hope she doesn't do this for long, or realizes how dangerous this can be. I agree with the person who said to print off side effects and let her read them, and just keep telling her you love her. Praying for her :)
  • deniseg31
    deniseg31 Posts: 667 Member
    I too think this sounds dangerous. I hope your daughter can get on the right path to losing weight the good ol' way through diet and exercise. She needs to be reminded that only by changing her lifestyle she will maintain that loss because once that concoction of pills is gone her weight is likely to return. Like the others have said due to her age I guess just talk to her about it. Give her the information and hope she soaks it up. I wish you the best of luck with her.
  • Vitamin_K
    Vitamin_K Posts: 47
    it is called EAC stackers... you take ephedrine, aspirin & caffeine.. lessens appetite & makes your heart fill like it is going to pound of your chest..yeah not a good thing for your body. She has to get that asthma med from the pharmacy & must show your license , so obviously not a good thing
  • MalSponseller
    MalSponseller Posts: 217 Member
    I think everyone's said it, but I'll just repeat:

    Find information about this on the internet.

    Print it off or email it to her.

    Be gentle, loving, and kind when you talk/write the email. She needs to know that you are worried about her, not attacking her.

    Suggest other alternatives to weight loss, perhaps including talking with a nutritionalist and/or a psychologist (the psychologist because this is a drug related problem of sorts).

    And let her know she is loved.
  • lesliev523
    lesliev523 Posts: 366 Member
    Yes.... and I am ashamed to admit that I did it too when ephedrine was first taken off of the market. That was several years ago.... and I had lost a lot of weight using something called mini thins (which was ephedrine and caffeine)...so I thought I would try the asthma stuff.

    It is a very bad idea! Makes your heart race and it is just too dangerous.... I hope she gets wiser!!
  • smpreston
    smpreston Posts: 262 Member
    I do know of people that take a 200 mg caffeine pill and a Bronkaid (ephedrine) as an energy source an appetite suppressant. I do not know where the baby aspirin comes into play. Here is a link to more information on the combo.

    http://mtdman.tripod.com/misc/weights/eca.htm
  • jngamez27
    jngamez27 Posts: 6 Member
    That's quite dangerous! I'm a nurse and also have asthma; my medication does not have ephedrine in it, but many of the meds used for asthma (such as albuterol) can cause your heart rate to increase; same thing with caffeine. She's at risk for having some cardiac issues if she continues. All you can do is appeal to her sense of wellbeing in that she could cause some major health risks in continuing her current regimen. Plus, weight loss that is dependent on medication does not last; it will come right back as soon as she stops taking the medication. Good luck!!
  • Franzibear
    Franzibear Posts: 41 Member
    Some info I could find -

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/355722-negative-side-effects-of-caffeine-ephedrine/
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/356069-ephedrine-aspirin-caffeine/
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECA_stack


    Doesn't sound too good to me :<
  • missprincessgina
    missprincessgina Posts: 446 Member
    I think what you are talking about is a bronchial dilator that has ephedra in it (some cold medicines have the same ingredient and are now kept behind the counter so people don't make meth with it). I took a few ephedra pills back in my early 20's and they made me feel awful. Anxious, irritable, angry, out of control, etc.

    I guess all you could do is sit down and talk with her about your concern since she is 29.
  • zela
    zela Posts: 92 Member
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECA_stack

    ECA stack, don't worry she won't die unless she abuses it

    it isn't really necessary though
  • blair_bear
    blair_bear Posts: 165
    It's the EC Stack diet with asprin (becasue asprin prolongs the effect) It is horrible for you. Research effects of EC Stack and you should find some good info to help her make a more informed decision about her diet/ weight loss procedure. I have a good friend with an ED, she took this combo and it nearly killed her and scared us all. The recovery from the effects were so much worse than just being thin that it even scared a girl with an active ED into stopping it.

    ETA: Men and women are effected VASTLY differently by this combination, FYI
  • leserpent
    leserpent Posts: 27 Member
    Ephedrine plus caffeine? They took pills that had those off the market years ago due to a high incidence of adverse cardiac side effects.

    this exactly. it's EXTREMELY dangerous and she will most likely damage her heart.
  • soccerella
    soccerella Posts: 619 Member
    wow i have never heard of this....crazy! Sounds like a bad idea likely, but people are always desperate for something
  • galededras
    galededras Posts: 45 Member
    It's called an ECA stack, and you rightfully worried.
  • chris1816
    chris1816 Posts: 715 Member
    She's buying Bronkaid/Primatene which both contain Ephedrine HCL. Yes, combined with caffeine (the asperin is unnecessary honestly) it is an effecive appetite suppresent/stimulent etc that can be used for weight loss.

    Now, anyone who knows me will notice I say to any post on weight loss pills "anything legally sold for weight loss is generally crap", because EC is not legally sold for weight loss. It's generally only available as an asthma treatment and is regulated in purchase as ephedra is a banned substance in the US for weight loss and can be used in the manufacturing of amphetamines/crack (hence the showing and scanning of a state issued ID)

    Honestly there is enough information out there on this that if she did her homework, is dosing it properly and assessed her tolerence she will be fine. It's not ideal and some people are very sensitive to stimulants but as you said she is a grown woman. If she wants to do it she will do it.
  • Ahluvly
    Ahluvly Posts: 389 Member
    Not heard about this but I am in England.

    She shouldn't be taking Asprin based meds with her being Asthmatic. It can bring on wheezing (I'm Asthmatic myself).

    Like you say she's a grown woman but if what she is taking is not safe, and she's aware of this then she will learn the hard way sadly. I hope everything goes ok. I'm pretty sure Ephedrine has been pulled off the UK Market in the 2000s as it caused heart problems! Your daughter should be consulting her doctor before taking anything or adopting a new way of life, to make sure she's ok and not at risk. Get this drug checked out!!!
    Has anyone heard about young women taking some kind of over the counter asthma medication, a caffeine pill and a baby aspirin to lose weight? My daughter was told of this diet and now she is trying it. It doesn't sound healthy to me. The asthma medication has a same ingredient in it that diet pills have in it, Ephedrine. This has me worried. She is 29 years old so she is a grown woman and I can't tell her what to do but I would like some advise as to how to guide her if this is not good for her. Her friend weighted 180 and is now down to 120 in 4 months. Supposedly, you do this regiment for 3 weeks and then take a week off. That's basically all I know about it. I'm sure it is just like the diet pills used to be and nothing but speed. Any thoughts?
  • misticache
    misticache Posts: 364 Member
    Encourage her to ask her doctor about it because chances are she is damaging herself on the inside. I hate medications because whether it's over counter or not it is damaging you more beyond repair. I just told my friend yesterday that it's her body, her choice but I think she's crazy and we were talking about something a dr. had prescribed her and not just taking a bunch of crap on her own.
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    I did that when I started this journey a year ago. Started on a low dose of ephedrine the first week. When I upped it a bit the 2nd week I started feeling palpitations and like my heart was gonna jump out of my chest and STOPPED it quick and started doing weight loss the old fashioned way. With good exercise and diet I dropped 20 lbs in 4 months (not easy when you don't have much to lose to begin with) and another 10 in another 2 months. And it was the healthy way.
    I read some stories online of people having serious issues as a result of ephedrine and that also convinced me to stop.

    Not sure what advice to give you. Maybe send her a couple of links to bad stories? And if she's not already aware of MFP maybe show her some success stories of people on here who lost weight without pills..
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    I hate this stuff but I take it this time of year.

    I don't take aspirin, but I do drink way too much coffee. I was given an inhaler by my doctor when I was a teenager so it's legit, and I do take only 4 a day for breathing issues, but I have been trying to quit completely.

    Unfortunately, when I drop down to 2, the breathing issues come back. It's only during Spring and Summer, but I know it's bad for me and I have abused it in the past to lose weight or work long shifts at much higher doses than is appropriate for asthma.

    Tell her it can ruin your teeth much like meth can (dry mouth!) and she won't be able to keep the weight off once she stops taking it. Also, if you take it for hunger, you develop a tolerance and constantly have to increase the amount in order to control appetite.
  • chris1816
    chris1816 Posts: 715 Member
    The reality is, you are doing more harm if you lie and say "this WILL kill you" and not "if abused, this CAN harm you". What you need to do is keep yourself, and her as educated as possible.

    http://examine.com/supplements/ECA/

    She may be like some people here who took a single dose of ephedrine and had heart palpatations and panic attacks and anxiety, or be like me who can dose ephedrine for 5+ weeks and feel little to no stimulant effects, take a dose and take a nap fine like normal within an hour but just not want to eat much. (Granted I've been drinking coffee, tea and even wine since pre-teen age)

    She is still abusing the system by purchasing what is a regulated substance, but this is your 29 year old daughter not a 15 year old you caught smoking pot. Be smart, educated, and reasonable. As another poster says, she really does not need it. A cup of black coffee or strong tea will go a long way towards appetite suppression
  • blueangel20110
    blueangel20110 Posts: 42 Member
    Thank you everyone! I knew I should be worried! I will take your advice and print her out the facts. I have also asked her sister to help me talk to her. She doesn't have asthma, she is using this over the counter medication along with caffeine pills and a baby aspirin just for weight loss. She knows I have been trying to lose weight the old fashion way and I am struggling so I don't think I am an inspiration to her (not yet anyway). I told her about MFP and she didn't seen interested. She just wants a quick fix. I told her she would gain it right back but I think it it went in one ear and out the other. Hopefully, I can talk some sense into her with love and compassion before it's too late. Thanks Friends!!
  • labellavitaxo
    labellavitaxo Posts: 26
    I have done this as well. I had to go to the pharmacy and show them my driver's license to purchase the Bronkaid, which I took with No-Doz. Honestly, it made me crash HARD at the end of the day, and I had severe mood swings and lots of other not-so-nice emotional side effects. It didn't physically harm me (at least I don't think it did) but I absolutely wouldn't recommend it or try it again.
  • lil_bit_crazy
    lil_bit_crazy Posts: 161 Member
    That's quite dangerous! I'm a nurse and also have asthma; my medication does not have ephedrine in it, but many of the meds used for asthma (such as albuterol) can cause your heart rate to increase; same thing with caffeine. She's at risk for having some cardiac issues if she continues. All you can do is appeal to her sense of wellbeing in that she could cause some major health risks in continuing her current regimen. Plus, weight loss that is dependent on medication does not last; it will come right back as soon as she stops taking the medication. Good luck!!


    ^^ this!

    And OTC asthma meds contain adrenaline. (Like in monster drinks) not ephedrine )
    I have asthma (since birth and my 13 yr old son also was born with it.

    Still can't figure a reason for the asprin though. Unless trying to head off a headache?

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