Drug & supplement interaction

Ephedra + Minoxidil

Minoxidil brand names: Loniten, Rogaine, Minoxidil.

No Known Interaction

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026

The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Ephedra and Minoxidil in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Ephedra and Minoxidil

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Minoxidil and Ephedra in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Ephedra safety at a glance

Ephedra overall Avoid Banned in dietary supplements in the U.S. due to serious cardiovascular risks, including death.

Pregnancy Likely Unsafe When used orally. Ephedra has been linked to several cases of severe side effects. Read the full pregnancy detail

Breastfeeding Likely Unsafe When used orally. Ephedra has been linked to several cases of severe side effects. Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Minoxidil and Ephedra? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›

How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Minoxidil

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Minoxidil is filed under 4 classifications — including vasodilators, antihypertensive drugs, topical drugs. Ephedra has documented interactions with 11 drug classes — the most serious being methylxanthines (major), qt interval-prolonging drugs (major) and stimulant drugs (major) — and none of Minoxidil’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Ephedra Does Interact With Other Medications

Ephedra has 337 major, 496 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Minoxidil isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 337 Moderate 496 No known interaction 1,997 (incl. Minoxidil)

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Ephedra

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Ephedra. Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Ephedra and Minoxidil May Share a Side Effect

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do.

Swelling Additional detail
Ephedra
“The use of ephedra causes a 2.2- to 3.6-fold increase in the risk of developing psychiatric, autonomic, or gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and cardiac palpitations. Orally, ephedra use has been associated with cardiomyopathy, hypersensitivity myocarditis, chest tightness, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest and sudden death, hypertension, tachycardia, and cardiac arrhythmias.”

Ephedra · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in arrhythmia.
6 sources cited

9740. Shekelle PG, Hardy ML, Morton SC, et al. Efficacy and safety of ephedra and ephedrine for weight loss and athletic performance: a meta-analysis. JAMA 2003;289:1537-45.. PubMed

48878. Shekelle P, Morton, S, Maglione, M, and et al. Ephedra and Ephedrine for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance Enhancement: Clinical Efficacy and Side Effects. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 76 (Prepared by Southern California Evidence-based Pr

1270. Okada S, Rohan PJ, Miller FW, et al. Myopathies following ingestion of special nutritional products. Arthritis Rheum 1996;39:349.

48801. Singh, A., Rajeev, A. G., and Dohrmann, M. L. Cardiomyopathy associated with ephedra-containing nutritional supplements. Congest.Heart Fail. 2008;14(2):89-90. PubMed

1271. Zaacks SM, Klein L, Tan CD, et al. Hypersensitivity myocarditis associated with ephedra use. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1999;37:485-9. PubMed

6487. Leikin JB, Klein L. Ephedra causes myocarditis. Clin Toxicol 2000;38:353-4.
Minoxidil

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Minoxidil. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Ephedra but not commonly for Minoxidil: a stroke or mini-stroke, trouble concentrating, fainting and a heart attack.

Effects for Minoxidil come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Ephedra come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Ephedra in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Likely Unsafe

When used orally. Ephedra has been linked to several cases of severe side effects.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Minoxidil

This page covers Ephedra only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Minoxidil page lists 139 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), American Mistletoe (major), Tyramine (major) and Adrafinil (moderate).

By severity: 4 major · 113 moderate · 22 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Minoxidil page

“American hellebore heads the concerns for anyone taking minoxidil (Loniten, Rogaine), because even small amounts of its alkaloids lower blood pressure on their own, a dangerous match with one of the most potent pressure-lowering drugs prescribed. It is one of four major-rated entries among the 139 supplements and herbs on record, and t…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Minoxidil interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Ephedra as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 37 real supplement products containing Ephedra, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Ephedra. Even though Ephedra itself has no known interaction with Minoxidil, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Ephedra and Minoxidil Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Ephedra

Top half

#521 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Medication Minoxidil

Top 5%

#111 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?

Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Ephedra reference on this page ↓
Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Ephedra and Minoxidil records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.

Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS.

Supplement

About Ephedra

What is Ephedra?

Weight loss
Nasal and sinus congestion
Asthma and breathing problems
Boosting energy and athletic performance
Allergies

Ephedra (ma huang) contains powerful stimulants like ephedrine that affect the heart and nervous system. Because it has been linked to serious harms including high blood pressure, stroke, and death, it is banned for use in dietary supplements in the U.S. and many other countries. We do not recommend using ephedra-containing supplements; talk to your pharmacist or doctor about safer, approved options.

Ephedra sinica · Ephedraceae · Dried stems and branches (aerial parts) · Historically: capsules, tablets, teas, and tinctures (now banned in dietary supplements in many countries)

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Ephedra is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Ephedra record says about it on its own.

Ephedra: dosing

There is no safe, recommended supplement dose for ephedra. It is banned in dietary supplements in the U.S. and many other countries, so we cannot and do not provide a dose.Some regulated, FDA-approved over-the-counter medicines (for example certain asthma products) contain ephedrine in carefully controlled amounts and come with specific label directions.

From our Ephedra monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Ephedra monograph & all interactions

Medication

About Minoxidil

What Is Minoxidil Used For?

Brand names: Loniten, Rogaine, Minoxidil

Minoxidil tablets are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) — specifically in patients who haven't responded well to other blood pressure medications. They are a powerful option reserved for difficult-to-control cases.

Topical minoxidil products — including solutions, sprays, gels, and foams from many brands — are used to regrow hair on the top of the scalp (called the vertex). Products labeled for men and for women may differ; for example, Bosley MD Regular Strength for Women and Dizop Minoxidil Topical Gel are each labeled for their specific intended users.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Minoxidil

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (0 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Adverse drug reaction 8,585 reports

Alopecia 3,803 reports

Application site pruritus 2,926 reports

Overdose 1,461 reports

Application site irritation 1,420 reports

See full Minoxidil drug information

Keep checking

Other Drugs & Ephedra

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Ephedra — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

337Major

496Moderate

0Minor

1,996No known interaction

337 Major 496 Moderate 1,996 No interaction

Major

337 interactions

Showing 60 of 337 major interactions — see all 337 on the Ephedra page.

Moderate

496 interactions

Showing 60 of 496 moderate interactions — see all 496 on the Ephedra page.

No interaction 1,996 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Ephedra against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,996 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Ephedra list.

See the full Ephedra interactions page

See every supplement checked against Minoxidil, ranked by severity

Evidence & sources

Ephedra References

The 87 references that drive our Ephedra monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Okada S, Rohan PJ, Miller FW, et al. Myopathies following ingestion of special nutritional products. Arthritis Rheum 1996;39:349.
Zaacks SM, Klein L, Tan CD, et al. Hypersensitivity myocarditis associated with ephedra use. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1999;37:485-9. PubMed
Powell T, Hsu FF, Turk J, Hruska K. Ma-huang strikes again: ephedrine nephrolithiasis. Am J Kidney Dis 1998;32:153-9. PubMed
Nadir A, Agrawal S, King PD, Marshall JB. Acute hepatitis associated with the use of a Chinese herbal product, ma-huang. Am J Gastroenterol 1996;91:1436-8.
Theoharides TC. Sudden death of a healthy college student related to ephedrine toxicity from a ma-huang containing drink. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1997;17:437-9. PubMed
Vahedi K, Domingo V, Amarenco P, Bousser MG. Ischemic stroke in a sportsman who consumed MaHuang extract and creatine monohydrate for bodybuilding. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatr 2000;68:112-3.
Doyle H, Kargin M. Herbal stimulant containing ephedrine has also caused psychosis. BMJ 1996;313:756. PubMed
FDA Takes Aim at Ephedra. The Washington Post. Available at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2000/03/19/fda-takes-aim-at-ephedra/4ce534a7-d291-44ec-88a8-38e97ff27e3b/ (Accessed 19 March 2000).
FDA. Proposed rule: dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids. Available at: www.verity.fda.gov (Accessed 25 January 2000).
Boozer CN, Nasser JA, Heymsfield SB, et al. An herbal supplement containing Ma Huang-Guarana for weight loss: a randomized, double-blind trial. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2001;25:316-24. PubMed
Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA. Content versus label claims in ephedra-containing dietary supplements. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2000;57:963-9. PubMed
White LM, Gardner SF, Gurley BJ, et al. Pharmacokinetics and Cardiovascular Effects of Ma-Huang (Ephedra sinica) in Normotensive Adults. J Clin Pharmacol 1997;37:116-22.
Haller CA, Benowitz NL. Adverse cardiovascular and central nervous system events associated with dietary supplements containing ephedra alkaloids. N Engl J Med 2000;343:1833-8. PubMed
Leikin JB, Klein L. Ephedra causes myocarditis. Clin Toxicol 2000;38:353-4.
Jacobs KM, Hirsch KA. Psychiatric complications of Ma-huang. Psychosomatics 2000;41:58-62. PubMed
Dulloo AG. Herbal simulation of ephedrine and caffeine in treatment of obesity. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2002;26:590-2. PubMed
Samenuk D, Link MS, Homoud MK, et al. Adverse cardiovascular events temporally associated with ma huang, an herbal source of ephedrine. Mayo Clin Proc 2002;77:12-6. PubMed
Boozer CN, Daly PA, Homel P, et al. Herbal ephedra/caffeine for weight loss: a 6-month randomized safety and efficacy trial. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2002;26:593-604. PubMed
Morgenstern LB, Viscoli CM, Kernan WN, et al. Use of Ephedra-containing products and risk for hemorrhagic stroke. Neurology 2003;60:132-5. .
Shekelle PG, Hardy ML, Morton SC, et al. Efficacy and safety of ephedra and ephedrine for weight loss and athletic performance: a meta-analysis. JAMA 2003;289:1537-45.. PubMed
Kalman D, Incledon T, Gaunaurd I, et al. An acute clinical trial evaluating the cardiovascular effects of an herbal ephedra-caffeine weight loss product in healthy overweight adults. Int J Obes 2002;26:1363-66.. PubMed
Schweinfurth J, Pribitkin E. Sudden hearing loss associated with ephedra use. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2003;60:375-7. PubMed
Kockler DR, McCarthy MW, Lawson CL. Seizure activity and unresponsiveness after hydroxycut ingestion. Pharmacotherapy 2001;21:647-51.. PubMed
Yates KM, O'Connor A, Horsley CA. "Herbal Ecstasy": a case series of adverse reactions. N Z Med J 2000;113:315-7..
Walton R, Manos GH. Psychosis related to ephedra-containing herbal supplement use. South Med J 2003;96:718-20.. PubMed
Jenkins DJ, Wesson V, Wolever TM, et al. Wholemeal versus wholegrain breads: proportion of whole or cracked grain and the glycaemic response. BMJ 1988;297:958-60. PubMed
McBride BF, Karapanos AK, Krudysz A, et al. Electrocardiographic and hemodynamic effects of a multicomponent dietary supplement containing ephedra and caffeine: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2004;291:216-21. PubMed
Brooks SM, Sholiton LJ, Werk EE Jr, Altenau P. The effects of ephedrine and theophylline on dexamethasone metabolism in bronchial asthma. J Clin Pharmacol 1977;17:308-18. PubMed
Gardner SF, Franks AM, Gurley BJ, et al. Effect of a multicomponent, ephedra-containing dietary supplement (Metabolife 356) on Holter monitoring and hemostatic parameters in healthy volunteers. Am J Cardiol 2003;91:1510-3, A9. PubMed
Haller CA, Jacob P 3rd, Benowitz NL. Enhanced stimulant and metabolic effects of combined ephedrine and caffeine. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2004;75:259-73.
Haller CA, Meier KH, Olson KR. Seizures reported in association with use of dietary supplements. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2005;43:23-30. PubMed
Burke J, Seda G, Allen D, Knee TS. A case of severe exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis associated with a weight loss dietary supplement. Mil Med 2007;172:656-8. PubMed
Dawson, J. K., Earnshaw, S. M., and Graham, C. S. Dangerous monoamine oxidase inhibitor interactions are still occurring in the 1990s. J Accid.Emerg.Med 1995;12(1):49-51. PubMed
Weinberger M and Bronsky E. Interaction of ephedrine and theophylline. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1974;15(2):223. PubMed
Kernan, W. N., Viscoli, C. M., Brass, L. M., Broderick, J. P., Brott, T., Feldmann, E., Morgenstern, L. B., Wilterdink, J. L., and Horwitz, R. I. Phenylpropanolamine and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. N.Engl.J Med 12-21-2000;343(25):1826-1832. PubMed
Jubiz, W. and Meikle, A. W. Alterations of glucocorticoid actions by other drugs and disease states. Drugs 1979;18(2):113-121. PubMed
Thomas, J. E., Munir, J. A., McIntyre, P. Z., and Ferguson, M. A. STEMI in a 24-year-old man after use of a synephrine-containing dietary supplement: a case report and review of the literature. Tex.Heart Inst.J 2009;36(6):586-590.
Cohen, P. A. and Ernst, E. Safety of herbal supplements: a guide for cardiologists. Cardiovasc.Ther 2010;28(4):246-253. PubMed
Astrup, A., Breum, L., Toubro, S., Hein, P., and Quaade, F. The effect and safety of an ephedrine/caffeine compound compared to ephedrine, caffeine and placebo in obese subjects on an energy restricted diet. A double blind trial. Int.J.Obes.Relat Metab D
Hackman, R. M., Havel, P. J., Schwartz, H. J., Rutledge, J. C., Watnik, M. R., Noceti, E. M., Stohs, S. J., Stern, J. S., and Keen, C. L. Multinutrient supplement containing ephedra and caffeine causes weight loss and improves metabolic risk factors in o
Hasani-Ranjbar, S., Nayebi, N., Larijani, B., and Abdollahi, M. A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines used in the treatment of obesity. World J Gastroenterol. 7-7-2009;15(25):3073-3085. PubMed
Lovstad, R. Z., Granhus, G., and Hetland, S. Bradycardia and asystolic cardiac arrest during spinal anaesthesia: a report of five cases. Acta Anaesthesiol.Scand 2000;44(1):48-52. PubMed
Ngan Kee, W. D., Khaw, K. S., Lee, B. B., Lau, T. K., and Gin, T. A dose-response study of prophylactic intravenous ephedrine for the prevention of hypotension during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Anesth.Analg. 2000;90(6):1390-1395. PubMed
Kurt, T. L. Hypersensitivity myocarditis with ephedra use. J Toxicol.Clin Toxicol. 2000;38(3):351.
Leikin, J. B. and Klein, L. Ephedra causes myocarditis. J Toxicol.Clin Toxicol. 2000;38(3):353-354.
du, Boisgueheneuc F., Lannuzel, A., Caparros-Lefebvre, D., and De Broucker, T. [Cerebral infarction in a patient consuming MaHuang extract and guarana]. Presse Med 2-3-2001;30(4):166-167.
Borum, M. L. Fulminant exacerbation of autoimmune hepatitis after the use of ma huang. Am J Gastroenterol. 2001;96(5):1654-1655. PubMed
Tormey, W. P. and Bruzzi, A. Acute psychosis due to the interaction of legal compounds--ephedra alkaloids in 'vigueur fit' tablets, caffeine in 'red bull' and alcohol. Med Sci Law 2001;41(4):331-336. PubMed
Traboulsi, A. S., Viswanathan, R., and Coplan, J. Suicide attempt after use of herbal diet pill. Am J Psychiatry 2002;159(2):318-319. PubMed
Schweinfurth, J. and Pribitkin, E. Sudden hearing loss associated with ephedra use. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2-15-2003;60(4):375-377. PubMed
Gardner, S. F., Franks, A. M., Gurley, B. J., Haller, C. A., Singh, B. K., and Mehta, J. L. Effect of a multicomponent, ephedra-containing dietary supplement (Metabolife 356) on Holter monitoring and hemostatic parameters in healthy volunteers. Am J Card PubMed
Karch, S. B. Use of Ephedra-containing products and risk for hemorrhagic stroke. Neurology 9-9-2003;61(5):724-725. PubMed
Chen-Scarabelli, C., Hughes, S. E., Landon, G., Rowley, P., Allebban, Z., Lawson, N., Saravolatz, L., Gardin, J., Latchman, D., and Scarabelli, T. M. A case of fatal ephedra intake associated with lipofuscin accumulation, caspase activation and cleavage
Moawad, F. J., Hartzell, J. D., Biega, T. J., and Lettieri, C. J. Transient blindness due to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome following ephedra overdose. South Med J 2006;99(5):511-514. PubMed
Stahl, C. E., Borlongan, C. V., Szerlip, M., and Szerlip, H. No pain, no gain--exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis associated with the performance enhancer herbal supplement ephedra. Med Sci Monit. 2006;12(9):CS81-CS84.
Caron, M. F., Dore, D. D., Min, B., Kluger, J., Boguk, I., and White, C. M. Electrocardiographic and blood pressure effects of the ephedra-containing TrimSpa thermogenic herbal compound in healthy volunteers. Pharmacotherapy 2006;26(9):1241-1246. PubMed
Vigano, M., Lampertico, P., and Colombo, M. Acute hepatitis following assumption of a herbal remedy. Eur.J.Gastroenterol.Hepatol. 2008;20(4):364-365. PubMed
Singh, A., Rajeev, A. G., and Dohrmann, M. L. Cardiomyopathy associated with ephedra-containing nutritional supplements. Congest.Heart Fail. 2008;14(2):89-90. PubMed
Song, H. J., Shim, K. N., Ryu, K. H., Kim, T. H., Jung, S. A., and Yoo, K. A case of ischemic colitis associated with the herbal food supplement ma huang. Yonsei Med.J. 6-30-2008;49(3):496-499. PubMed
Flanagan, C. M., Kaesberg, J. L., Mitchell, E. S., Ferguson, M. A., and Haigney, M. C. Coronary artery aneurysm and thrombosis following chronic ephedra use. Int.J.Cardiol. 2-18-2010;139(1):e11-e13. PubMed
Hallas, J., Bjerrum, L., Stovring, H., and Andersen, M. Use of a prescribed ephedrine/caffeine combination and the risk of serious cardiovascular events: a registry-based case-crossover study. Am J Epidemiol. 10-15-2008;168(8):966-973. PubMed
Astrup, A., Toubro, S., Cannon, S., Hein, P., and Madsen, J. Thermogenic synergism between ephedrine and caffeine in healthy volunteers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Metabolism 1991;40(3):323-329. PubMed
Martinez-Quintana, E., Rodriguez-Gonzalez, F., and Cuba-Herrera, J. [Myocardial necrosis and severe biventricular dysfunction in the context of chronic ephedrine abuse]. Adicciones. 2010;22(1):25-28.
Kim, H. J., Park, J. M., Kim, J. A., and Ko, B. P. Effect of herbal Ephedra sinica and Evodia rutaecarpa on body composition and resting metabolic rate: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial in Korean premenopausal women. J.Acupunct.Meridian.Stud. 20 PubMed
Konno, C., Mizuno, T., and Hikino, H. Isolation and hypoglycemic activity of ephedrans A, B, C, D and E, glycans of Ephedra distachya herbs. Planta Med 1985;(2):162-163.
Weinberger, M. M. and Bronsky, E. A. Evaluation of oral bronchodilator therapy in asthmatic children. Bronchodilators in asthmatic children. J Pediatr 1974;84(3):421-427. PubMed
Herridge, C. F. and a'Brook, M. F. Ephedrine psychosis. Br Med J 4-20-1968;2(598):160.
Roxanas, M. G. and Spalding, J. Ephedrine abuse psychosis. Med J Aust. 11-5-1977;2(19):639-640. PubMed
McLaughlin, E. T., Bethea, L. H., and Wittig, H. J. Comparison of the bronchodilator effect of oral fenoterol and ephedrine in asthmatic children. Ann Allergy 1982;49(4):191-195.
Capwell, R. R. Ephedrine-induced mania from an herbal diet supplement. Am J Psychiatry 1995;152(4):647. PubMed
Shufman, N. E., Witztum, E., and Vass, A. [Ephedrine psychosis]. Harefuah 1994;127(5-6):166-8, 215.
Bruno, A., Nolte, K. B., and Chapin, J. Stroke associated with ephedrine use. Neurology 1993;43(7):1313-1316. PubMed
Daly, P. A., Krieger, D. R., Dulloo, A. G., Young, J. B., and Landsberg, L. Ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin: safety and efficacy for treatment of human obesity. Int J Obes.Relat Metab Disord. 1993;17 Suppl 1:S73-S78.
Hirabayashi, Y., Saitoh, K., Fukuda, H., Mitsuhata, H., and Shimizu, R. Coronary artery spasm after ephedrine in a patient with high spinal anesthesia. Anesthesiology 1996;84(1):221-224. PubMed
Perrotta DM. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adverse events associated with ephedrine-containing products--Texas, December 1993- September 1995. JAMA 12-4-1996;276(21):1711-1712.
Cockings, J. G. and Brown, M. Ephedrine abuse causing acute myocardial infarction. Med J Aust 8-18-1997;167(4):199-200. PubMed
Blau, J. J. Ephedrine nephrolithiasis associated with chronic ephedrine abuse. J Urol. 1998;160(3 Pt 1):825. PubMed
Shekelle P, Morton, S, Maglione, M, and et al. Ephedra and Ephedrine for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance Enhancement: Clinical Efficacy and Side Effects. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 76 (Prepared by Southern California Evidence-based Pr
Martinet A, Hostettmann K, and Schutz Y. Thermogenic effects of commercially available phytotherapy compounds aimed at treating human obesity. Phytomedicine 1999;6(4):S174.
Ryall JE. Caffeine and ephedrine fatality. Bull Int Assoc Forensic Toxicol 1984;17:13.
Rejent T, Michalek R, and Krajewski M. Caffeine fatality with coincident ephedrine. Bull Int Assoc Forensic Toxicol 1981;16:18-19.
Neff, G. W., Reddy, K. R., Durazo, F. A., Meyer, D., Marrero, R., and Kaplowitz, N. Severe hepatotoxicity associated with the use of weight loss diet supplements containing ma huang or usnic acid. J Hepatol. 2004;41(6):1062-1064. PubMed
Tang J, Zhou X, Ji H, Zhu D, Wu L. Effects of ephedra water decoction and cough tablets containing ephedra and liquorice on CYP1A2 and the pharmacokinetics of theophylline in rats. Phytother Res. 2012;26(3):470-4. PubMed
Bajaj J, Knox JF, Komorowski R, Saeian K. The irony of herbal hepatitis: Ma-Huang-induced hepatotoxicity associated with compound heterozygosity for hereditary hemochromatosis. Dig Dis Sci. 2003;48(10):1925-8.
Charalampopoulos A, Karatsourakis T, Tsiodra P. Acute hepatitis associated with the use of Ma-huang in a young adult. Eur J Intern Med. 2007;18(1):81. PubMed
Skoulidis F, Alexander GJ, Davies SE. Ma huang associated acute liver failure requiring liver transplantation. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005;17(5):581-4. PubMed
Drug record: Ma huang. U.S. National Library of Medicine: Livertox Database. https://livertox.nlm.nih.gov/Ephedra.htm. Updated October 16, 2017. Accessed November 1, 2017.

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Related: nutrient depletion

Minoxidil Is Linked to Lower Levels of One Nutrient

Natural Medicines records Minoxidil as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Ephedra — it is a separate effect of the medicine, and it is a reason some people are advised to supplement rather than to avoid one:

COENZYME Q10›

Read the full Minoxidil nutrient depletion report ›

Depletion records come from the licensed Natural Medicines database. Do not start a supplement on the strength of this page — ask your pharmacist or doctor whether it applies to you.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Ephedra and Minoxidil Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Ephedra with Minoxidil?

We do not list a known interaction between Ephedra and Minoxidil. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.

Do Ephedra and Minoxidil have any of the same side effects?

Yes — our sources link each of them separately to one of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.

How was the Ephedra and Minoxidil combination checked?

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Minoxidil is filed under 4 classifications, and Ephedra has documented interactions with 11 drug classes — none of Minoxidil's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.

Does Ephedra interact with any other medications?

Yes. Ephedra has 833 documented drug interactions in our database — Minoxidil is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.

Does Minoxidil interact with any supplements?

Yes. Minoxidil has documented interactions with 139 supplements in our database — Ephedra is not one of them. The Minoxidil interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.