Other AreasPhenylpropanolamine (PPA)

Overview

The Federal Drug Administration's (FDA) Nonprescription Drugs ADvisory Committee (NDAC) determined that there is an association between phenylpropanolamine and hemorrhagic stroke and recommended that PPA not be considered generally recognized as safe for OTC use as a nasal decongestant or for weight control. On November 6, 2000, the FDA released a Public Health Advisory asking companies that market pharmaceutical or drug products containing PPA to voluntarily discontinue marketing them and alerted consumers to the risks associated with the use of products containing PPA.

Phenylpropanolamine is a common ingredient in appetite suppressants such as Acutrim and Dexatrim as well as many popular cough/cold medications such as Alka-Seltzer Plus (Adult and Children's), Comtrex, Contac, Coricidin, Dimetapp, Robitussin-CF, and Triaminic.

Phenylpropanolamine (or PPA) has been linked to an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, commonly referred to as "bleeding in the brain". Hemorrhagic stroke can result in death or severe disability. A recent Yale University study of hemorrhagic stroke victims suggests that women, age 18-49, were at almost 16 times greater risk of stroke within the first three days of taking appetite suppressants containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA) than those who did not take phenylpropanolamine (PPA). Moreover, the Yale study suggests that overall, hemorrhagic stroke victims were about 50% more likely to have ingested phenylpropanolamine (PPA) within the 3 days prior to the stroke than the control subjects.

What is phenylpropanolamine (PPA)?

Phenylpropanolamine, also known as PPA, is a chemical that been used for more than 50 years and is found in many over-the-counter cold and cough remedies and appetite suppressants. Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is also found in many prescription decongestants.

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is believed to increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, especially in young women. This is particularly true of women who ingested appetite suppressants containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA) or who consumed other drugs containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA) while taking appetite suppressants.