There are many reasons why the purchase of some drugs is monitored. Sometimes, it is simply due to private sector competition. If a company can buy a certain amount of a drug at a low price and re-sell it for a profit, the selling firm would like to know about it. Other times, during periods of legal uncertainty, certain drugs are hoarded for fear they will not be available down the road. Or, opportunists will purchase large amounts of the drug with hopes of re-selling it once it is no longer available on the “white” market. Finally, when a drug with legitimate uses is discovered to have additional uses which are perceived to be dangerous to society, the sale and purchase of the drug is often tracked as well.

Ephedrine is one such drug which fits all of these requirements. Sold over the counter as “Bronkaid” as a bronchial decongestant and as a treatment for asthma, Bronkaid is a trade name for the chemical compound known as ephedrine sulfate/ bronchodilator, guaifenesin/expectorant. You might more readily recognize it as the “E” in the very popular ECA stack. ECA consists of 25 mg ephedrine (Bronkaid), 200 mg caffeine (sold as Vivarin or generic store brand yellow pills) and 250 mg aspirin (Bayer or store brand). Together, the ephedrine and the caffeine boost the metabolism, and the aspirin acts to inhibit a feedback loop between the two, making the E and C even more effective. It’s a very popular weight-loss supplement among bodybuilders and fitness/figure competitors, because it works to help shed body fat fast.

Going back to our starting criteria for legal drugs whose sale is tracked, let’s look at the ways Bronkaid has drawn attention to itself. First off, ephedrine is an on-again, off-again supplement which has been banned, then whose banning has been overturned by the courts, for many years. Many supplement sellers realize this, and have hoarded it as a result. Additionally, many moderate users, aware of the usefulness of this drug as well as the tenuous political climate, have begun buying it in bulk. Finally, you may be surprised to learn that ephedrine sulfate is the chief ingredient in the illegal and illicit drug known as crystal meth. Drug manufacturers have been using it for years to create drugs which have become a great problem in the last few years.

Walgreen’s and other national chain pharmacies have begun setting up consumer databases to monitor who is buying Bronkaid, and in what quantities. Drivers license numbers are collected, and when you purchase too much (although the purchasing limit is not made public), your information is recorded. Bronkaid use is perfectly legal. However, wise steroid users who don’t wish to draw undue attention to their love for bodybuilding drugs may wish to avoid purchasing their Bronkaid in such a manner. If you cannot convince a family member of friend to pick up your Bronkaid for you, it may be wise to order it from an online pharmacy, where such tracking information may not be recorded. The fewer eyes you have upon you, the better!

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