Poynter's family denies abuse of weight drug

CONYERS - The family of former Rockdale County Commission Chairman Randy Poynter says he was not abusing a weight loss supplement at the time of his death. <br> <br> Poynter&#39;s sister, Andrea Poynter McDaniel, a television news anchor in Virginia, said Friday that Poynter told her he had stopped taking Metabolife weeks before he died last Sunday. <br> <br> Dr. Stephen Boyle, the county coroner, asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to test for the chemical ephedrine, a common ingredient of weight-loss supplements, after an autopsy did not reveal a cause of death. <br> <br> Bill Byrne, chairman of the Cobb County Commission, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Poynter had lost as much as 30 pounds in about six weeks and was taking Metabolife ``by the handful.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Ephedrine is a stimulant that can speed the heart rate and raise blood pressure. Scientists are investigating adverse health effects associated with ephedrine, but the federal government has held off on possible restrictions pending conclusive evidence. <br> <br> High levels of ephedrine can lead to cardiac arrest. Boyle said Poynter had no history of heart problems. <br> <br> McDaniel, 46, said she had been concerned about Poynter&#39;s use of the substance, ``so I talked to him about it, and he said he had stopped.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> ``We don&#39;t think (Metabolife) had anything to do with why he died,&#39;&#39; said McDaniel, who said she was speaking on behalf of the family. <br> <br> Officials at San Diego-based Metabolife said the supplement is ``safe and effective when used as directed&#39;&#39; and cautioned against reaching conclusions before the toxicology test is complete. <br> <br> ``We hope further investigation, including the coroner&#39;s report, sheds some light on this tragic event,&#39;&#39; company spokeswoman Jan Strode said Friday. <br> <br> GBI toxicology reports typically take four to six weeks, but Poynter&#39;s case has been expedited because there was not an obvious cause of death, bureau spokesman John Bankhead said. <br> <br> ``The toxicology results are key, apparently, to this investigation,&#39;&#39; Bankhead said. <br> <br> He said the results could be back in two weeks or less.

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