FR — Banned

ANSES recommended ban of kava following hepatotoxicity signals from nutrivigilance system.

NZ — Banned

Medsafe NZ — ephedrine alkaloid supplements banned following FDA and TGA action.

NL — Banned

NVWA prohibition (2004).

MY — Banned

NPRA Malaysia — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited.

SA — Banned

SFDA Saudi Arabia — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited. Controlled as prescription drug.

SE — Banned

Livsmedelsverket Sweden prohibition aligned with EU Directive 2002/46/EC.

IT — Banned

Italian Ministry of Health — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited under EU Directive 2002/46/EC.

AE — Banned

UAE MOH prohibition — ephedra supplements banned. Ephedrine controlled as pharmaceutical.

SG — Banned

HSA Singapore prohibition (2004) — ephedra alkaloid supplements prohibited.

ID — Banned

BPOM Indonesia — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements prohibited.

PH — Banned

FDA Philippines — ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid-containing food supplements banned following international regulatory action.

PL — Banned

GIS Poland prohibition aligned with EU Directive 2002/46/EC.

EU — Banned

European Commission ban (2002) under Directive 2002/46/EC — all ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid supplements.

ES — Banned

AEMPS Spain prohibition aligned with EU ban on ephedrine alkaloid supplements.

DK — Banned

Banned (2023) — Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA). Liver toxicity and thyroid disruption reports. All preparations ordered off market.

DE — Banned

BfArM banned kava-containing products in Germany in 2002 due to hepatotoxicity risk. Cases of liver failure and death reported.

US — Banned

FDA ban (2004) — cardiovascular adverse events and deaths. Final rule 21 CFR 119. All ephedrine alkaloids banned from dietary supplements.

CH — Banned

Swissmedic banned kava in Switzerland due to hepatotoxicity.

CA — Banned

Health Canada ban (2002) — all ephedra and ephedrine alkaloid-containing supplements.

BE — Banned

FASFC Belgium prohibition aligned with EU Directive 2002/46/EC.

AU — Banned

TGA ban (2003) — cardiovascular adverse events. Ephedra alkaloids banned from complementary medicines.

PT — Banned

ASAE Portugal prohibition aligned with EU ban on ephedrine alkaloid supplements.

TH — Restricted

FDA Thailand — ephedrine controlled as pharmaceutical. Not permitted in food supplements.

IN — Restricted

CDSCO India (2004) — available only under prescription as pharmaceutical products.

TW — Restricted

TFDA Taiwan — ephedrine controlled as pharmaceutical drug. Not permitted as health food ingredient. Products with ephedra claims require pharmaceutical registration.

ZA — Restricted

SAHPRA (2004) — Schedule 2; pharmacist oversight required.

KR — Restricted

MFDS South Korea (2003) — maximum dose restrictions. Not permitted for weight loss products.

JP — Restricted

MHLW Japan (2003) — maximum dose limits; not permitted for weight loss marketing. Ephedrine controlled under pharmaceutical regulations.

IE — Restricted

FSAI monitoring (2024) following Danish ban and hepatotoxicity reports. Products without adequate safety data may face withdrawal.

HK — Restricted

Department of Health Hong Kong — ephedrine-containing preparations controlled as pharmaceutical products. Not permitted as health food supplements without pharmaceutical registration.

GB — Restricted

MHRA (2004) — ephedrine alkaloid supplements restricted. Maximum doses apply under the Medicines Act.

CN — Restricted

NMPA China — Ma Huang (ephedra) controlled. Ephedrine alkaloid content restrictions; not permitted for weight loss products. Export of ephedra controlled internationally.

AT — Prescription only

AGES Austria — melatonin classified as prescription-only medicinal product. Not permitted as food supplement.