Ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin: Safety and efficacy for treatment of human obesity

The safety and efficacy of a mixture of ephedrine (75-150mg), caffeine (150mg) and aspirin (330mg) in divided premeal doses, were investigated in 24 obese humans (mean BMI 37.0) in a ramdomized double blind placebo-controlled trial. Energy intake was not restricted. Overall weight loss over 8 weeks was 2.2 kg for ECA vs. 0.7 kg for placebo (p,0.05). 8 0f 13 placebo subjects returned 5 months later and received ECA in an unblinded crossover. After 8 weeks, mean weight loss with ECA was 3.2 kg vs. 1.3 kg for placebo (p=0.036). 6 subjects continued on ECA for 7 to 26 months. After 5 months on ECA, average weight loss in 5 of these was 5.2 kg compared to 0.03 kg gained during 5 months between studies with no intervention (p=0.03). The sixth subject lost 66 kg over 13 months by self-imposed caloric restriction. In all studies, no significant changes in heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose, insulin and cholesterol levels, and no differences in the frequency of side effects were found. ECA in these doses is thus well tolerated, and supports modest, sustained weight loss even without prescribed caloric restriction, and may be more effective in conjunction with restriction of energy intake.