Shouldn't the use of Ephedrine & it's effects be the responsibility of the player?

TheGeneral+ · Jul 17, 2003

$600 million.

BALTIMORE (AP) — The widow of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler is suing the makers of a dietary supplement linked to his spring-training death for $600 million.

Kiley Bechler is seeking damages for the loss of her husband and a ban on the sale of ephedra-based products, according to a statement from her attorney, David Meiselman.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, calls the product, Xenadrine RFA-1, a "poisonous cocktail" unsafe for human consumption. It names New Jersey-based Cytodyne Technologies, Phoenix Laboratories and Cytodyne's president, Robert Chinery as defendants.

Steve Bechler, 23, was taking the supplement to lose weight at the start of spring training when he collapsed Feb. 16 in Fort Lauderdale. He died the next day.

"It is indisputable that Xenadrine RFA-1 killed Steve," wrote Kiley Bechler's attorneys in the complaint.

A message left for a spokesman at Cytodyne's headquarters in Manasquan, N.J., was not immediately returned Thursday.

Toxicology tests confirmed "significant amounts" of an over-the-counter supplement containing ephedra led to Bechler's heatstroke, along with other factors, Broward County medical examiner Dr. Joshua Perper said.

Ephedra products are marketed in drug stores, convenience stores and gyms as a weight-loss and energy miracle pill made from natural herbs, but the Food and Drug Administration has said the drug is blamed for nearly 120 deaths nationwide.

A bottle of Xenadrine RFA-1 was found in Bechler's locker after he collapsed.

"It's a simple case of corporate and personal greed being placed ahead of consumer safety and the public welfare," Meiselman said.

In the past, Cytodyne has criticized Meiselman for blaming the company, saying Bechler had a history of heat-related illnesses.

Xenadrine RFA-1 was a top-selling weight-loss supplement until the company took it off the market earlier this year amid mounting questions over the safety of its main ingredient, ephedra. In the complaint, Kiley Bechler's attorneys said Cytodyne's decision to stop selling ephedra-based products is "a startling concession as to the dangers inherent in Xenadrine RFA-1."

"Because defendants' belated concession is utterly incapable of resuscitating Steve Bechler, defendants must now be held accountable for the devastating financial loss that their actions have caused," the complaint said.

Ephedrine use is banned by the NCAA, the International Olympic Committee and the NFL, but not major league baseball.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2003-07-17-bechler-widow-lawsuit_x.htm

LEYKIS101 · Jul 17, 2003

Agree General. It seems nobody wants to take responsiblity for themselves anymore. Ephedra has been around for a few years and there were numerous problems before Bechler died. I believe him being overweight and probably out of shape, maybe dehydrated were just as likely the causes. I doubt he took the recommended dosage as well. His wife is definitely set, somebody will pay, not 600 million, but a large sum.

TheGeneral+ · Jul 17, 2003

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> somebody will pay, not 600 million, but a large sum. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Me and you will pay in insurance fees.

Bullchitna · Jul 17, 2003

Let everyone inject whatever they want into them, it's a matter of personal preference/decision until they fu(ck up society.

Now as far as the makers of ephedrine, if they were lying about it to make big profits then fu(ck them

areeff · Jul 18, 2003

People die EVERYDAY from aspirin.

As a former ephedrine user in my early 20s i used the stuff in tournaments and yes sometimes it made the difference. Ephedrine makes you quicker like a cat. You react instead of thinking but it is not some crazy Killer

An analogy i used is that ephedra is 10x caffeine while cocaine is 10x ephedra

so caffeinex10=ephedrax10=cocaine

Its just one step in the ladder of stimulants. If you drink coffee or coca cola you are just using a lower level stimulant.

ballsofblue · Jul 18, 2003

people want to sue everyone these days.

fast food made me fat = no shit

supplements = made me stronger, faster,
smarter. i thought they were good for me

next is going to be bottled water= i cant believe i pd that much now i'm broke

nice cars= they made me think i need to pay 70k for it and i did not get any chicks. what a rip off

There are too many stupid people in this world. if they cant figure out these things are not good for you then they need to die befor they reproduce.

jateeluv · Jul 18, 2003

I work in a place where ephedra/ephedrine is a big deal hint, hint (where they are deciding to regulate it)....

anyway, you could argue this about any item you buy and put into your body. The point is that ephedra is generally used for either weight loss or energy. The warning label states many things, and the fact that the product is not regulated by the FDA (hint, hint) means alot. They have been doing research on the number of cases that have been brought forth with the use of ephedra based products. Congressmen have been big on the regulation on these products and its regulation among other things is now being discussed legally.

Ephedra is what it is. It speeds up your blood flow, your heart rate, and circulation. It has similar affects to what caffeine can do for you, but NOT THE SAME.

If you have heart problems of any kind do not take this product. I would get checked out by a doctor before taking the product.

The fact that Bechler had his team physical and he did not let doctors know about him taking ephedra products complicates the case. Alot of athletes use the product in baseball as it isn't outlawed like in the NFL (Julius Peppers was suspended last year for taking a product which contained ephedra).

Over-weight people are at a higher risk for heart problems..and ephedra is marketed to these people.. that is the problem I see. Some heart problems are hereditary and should be taken into account before taking ephedra. Ephedra basically makes your body work faster and water is lost quite rapidly. Water needs to be plentiful while taking ephedra based products.

It is a crap shoot, it is a fact that the majority of people taking ephedra based products do not have any negative consequences from taking the product. Now, it is hard to know the condition of your heart and other organs without going to the doctor and finding out. The labeling and of these products are not done well and the warnings are not done well. Generally, the wording is confusing and small, and doesn't say enough.

The fact that dietary supplements do not have to be approved by the FDA is a disgrace, only the labeling basically has to be. Laws need to changed in order to be able to regulate these products. The docters don't want this to be prescribed because then their malpractice insurance will go up drastically.

Its going to be a long debated.