Australia Moves to Ban Sports Supplement Ingredient DMAA on Health Concerns

The TGA said its decision to ban the ingredient was based on safety concerns over the abuse of DMAA, advice from the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling and public consultation.

1 Auh 2012 --- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has posted its final decision on the scheduling of DMAA in Australia, an ingredient used in some sports supplements. The TGA said its decision to ban the ingredient was based on safety concerns over the abuse of DMAA, advice from the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling and public consultation.

DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine) has been included in Appendix C of the Poisons Standard. The inclusion in Appendix C means that that the sale, supply and use of DMAA will be prohibited.

After a scheduling decision by the TGA, state and territory governments implement any necessary changes to legislation. State and territory authorities are responsible for enforcing these laws.

DMAA acts as a stimulant and is used in pre-workout sports supplements and “party pills” to provide an adrenaline-like high. It has been linked with various adverse health effects including high blood pressure, headaches, vomiting, cerebral haemorrhage, stroke and death.

New Zealand banned DMAA from all products in April this year after reports of adverse effects.  

In June, Food Standards Australia New Zealand issued a warning about supplementary sports foods containing DMAA. It urged retailers and importers to withdrawal products containing the substance and consumers not to use it.

The authority said research in other countries showed it caused adverse health effects including high blood pressure and vomiting.

There have been several reports of such effects in Australia, according to FSANZ.

The ban applies from August 8.