Myopathy Following Ingestion of Ma-huang (Ephedra)-based Herbal Remedy.
- Author:
Jang Hyun BAEK
1
;
Bum Chun SUH
;
Yong Bum KIM
;
Pil Wook CHUNG
;
Heui Soo MOON
;
Dong Kwan JIN
;
Bong Je KIM
;
Yong Shik PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Seoul, Korea. bumchun.seo@samsung.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Ephedra;
Ma-huang;
Muscular diseases
- MeSH:
Biopsy;
Eating;
Ephedra;
Female;
Humans;
Inflammation;
Middle Aged;
Muscle Weakness;
Muscles;
Muscular Diseases;
Pericardial Effusion
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
2009;27(4):424-427
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Ma-huang (Ephedra sinica) is a herb that exhibits sympathomimetic activity. We report a patient with acquired myopathy following ingestion of a Ma-huang-based herbal remedy for 6 months. A 50-year-old woman was admitted for progressive muscular weakness. An electrodiagnostic study and muscle biopsy sampling revealed generalized active myopathy with nonspecific inflammation. It appears that Ma-huang, along with Raynaud's phenomenon and pericardial effusion, may be a causative agent of myopathy. As such, attention should be paid to the possibility that herbal medication with Ma-huang can result in myopathy.
