Judge won't block ban on ephedra taking effect Monday; rejecting supplement maker's request

<br>NEWARK, N.J. (AP) _ A federal judge allowed a nationwide ban on dietary supplements containing ephedra to take effect Monday, turning aside a request by two supplement makers. <br><br>U.S. District

Monday, April 12th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) _ A federal judge allowed a nationwide ban on dietary supplements containing ephedra to take effect Monday, turning aside a request by two supplement makers.

U.S. District Judge Joel Pisano refused to grant a temporary restraining order sought by the two manufacturers that would have prevented the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from banning the products.

Pisano's decision does not affect medicines containing ephedra, such as prescription or over-the-coutner cold remedies.

The New Jersey manufacturer of a popular diet supplement had hoped to head off the nationwide ban on the herbal stimulant, arguing the main ingredient in its product is safe if used as directed.

NVE Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Newton, which makes the supplement Stacker 2, had asked for the temporary restraining order pending further scientific tests. On Monday, a second company had been allowed to join the motion. The National Institute for Clinical Weight Loss is an Atlanta manufacturer of a product called Thermalean.

Ephedra, once hugely popular for weight loss and bodybuilding, has been linked to 155 deaths and dozens more heart attacks and strokes.