The doses used in most studies were 20mg ephedrine and 200mg caffeine tid. I have no idea about pre-workout - perhaps Jim can advise on that one.
Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1993 Feb;17 Suppl 1:S69-72.Safety and efficacy of long-term treatment with ephedrine, caffeine and an ephedrine/caffeine mixture.
Toubro S[SUP]1[/SUP], Astrup AV, Breum L, Quaade F.
Abstract
In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study, 180 obese patients were treated by diet (4.2 MJ/day) and either an ephedrine/caffeine combination (20mg/200mg), ephedrine (20mg), caffeine (200mg) or placebo 3 times a day for 24 weeks. 141 patients completed this part of the study. All medication was stopped between week 24-26 in order to catch any withdrawal symptoms. From week 26 to 50, 99 patients completed treatment with the ephedrine/caffeine compound in an open trial design, resulting in a statistically significant (p = 0.02) weight loss of 1.1kg. In another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 8 week study on obese subjects we found the mentioned compound showed lean body mass conserving properties. We conclude that the ephedrine/caffeine combination is effective in improving and maintaining weight loss, further it has lean body mass saving properties. The side effects are minor and transient and no withdrawal symptoms have been found.
Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1993 Dec;17 Suppl 3:S73-7; discussion S82.The acute and chronic effects of ephedrine/caffeine mixtures on energy expenditure and glucose metabolism in humans.
Toubro S[SUP]1[/SUP], Astrup A, Breum L, Quaade F.
Abstract
This paper describes a 24-week open follow-up trial with reduced obese patients all receiving an ephedrine/caffeine combination (20 mg/200 mg) three times a day. The study was a continuation of a previous 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled study where the ephedrine/caffeine mixture had shown superior weight-reducing properties when compared with either ephedrine alone (20 mg) or caffeine alone (200 mg) three times a day. The medication was stopped between weeks 24-26 in order to evaluate withdrawal symptoms. The follow-up period was from weeks 26 to 50. Of 127 patients included, 99 completed the follow-up treatment, which resulted in an additional weight loss of 1.1 kg (P = 0.02). Adverse drug reactions were all minor and temporary. We conclude that the ephedrine/caffeine combination is safe and effective in long-term treatment in improving and maintaining weight loss. The side-effects are minor and transient and no clinically relevant withdrawal symptoms have been observed.