Is Xenadrine Safe to Use?

Xenadrine is an over-the-counter weight-loss supplement that claims to boost metabolism and help burn calories, according to the product website. Like many products of this type, Xenadrine does not have approval by the Food and Drug Administration for weight loss, and there have been various lawsuits covered in the press as to its effectiveness and potential hazards.

The existing information on Xenadrine deserves careful examination before the supplement is incorporated into a regimen of healthy diet and regular exercise. Xenadrine's safety to the individual depends on that person's sensitivity to certain ingredients in the product.

Ingredient Analysis

• Previous to the FDA's 2004 ban of ephedra in supplements like this, Xenadrine included ephedra in the form of Ma Huang in its previous formulation, Xenadrine RFA-1. It no longer contains this controversial and dangerous substance; Xenadrine is currently marketed in an ephedra-free form called Xenadrine Ultra.

  Xenadrine's product website states that the supplement contains a "key" formulation of compounds that promote increased metabolism and weight loss. The combination is composed of three herbs: guarana, yerba mate and damiana. Still, on the product website, there are a host of other ingredients listed, from herbs to beneficial vitamins, many of them obscure, although one stands out above the rest: caffeine.

Caffeine Content

• Caffeine is a staple in the ingredient list of nearly every over-the-counter weight-loss pill, and Xenadrine is no exception. The product label on Xenadrine states plainly that 200 mg of caffeine, roughly the equivalent of two cups of coffee, are delivered in each dose of two pills. The product's instructions are to take one pill (100 mg caffeine) 15 minutes before the first meal of the day for the first 4 days of use, followed by two capsules (200 mg caffeine) before each of the day's three meals in the period beyond 4 days.

  Using a little arithmetic, this equates to an intake of 300 mg of caffeine daily for 3 days, followed by 600 mg of caffeine on day 4 and beyond. So, after 3 days, using Xenadrine as indicated is the equivalent of drinking six cups of coffee daily--beyond caffeine that the user may take in through consumption of soft drinks, energy drinks or coffee itself. This amount of caffeine intake definitely poses the most substantial risk to someone using Xenadrine.

Caffeine-Related Risks with Xenadrine

• Information on Disabled-World.com states the medically accepted suggestion that two cups of coffee per day is considered to be an "acceptable" level of caffeine in a person's diet. In fact, caffiene does aid in increasing metabolism and muscle strength. However, two cups of coffee--equivalent to about one-half the thrice-daily dose of Xenadrine Ultra--is where the benefits end and the risks begin.

  Risks of regular intake of large amounts of caffeine as found within Xenadrine are wide: rapid heartbeat, heartburn, anxiety and muscle stiffness are just a few of the problems involved with taking in the amount of caffeine contained in the dosing of Xenadrine Ultra. People with coronary disorders such as high blood pressure should consult with a doctor before making the decision to take in large amounts of caffeine as a part of their diet and exercise regimen. Caffeine is also a diuretic, meaning it causes frequent urination, so there is a risk of dehydration while taking Xenadrine, especially if one will be performing vigorous exercise such as running or weightlifting.

  Some of Xenadrine's product claims may be legitimate: the supplement will certainly increase metabolism and potentially help burn fat. However, a daily intake of caffeine as high as that suggested by the Xenadrine product information guide is potentially hazardous at worst, and may produce many nasty side effects at best.