Phenylpropanolamine PPA usage and its risks

Hi,

Though this is an old information but it is impotant to have it as a reminder from time to time. FDA has found that Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) which is found in many cold/flu/sinus/cough drugs over the counter is responsible for brain hemorrhagic strokes especially in females.


There are other drugs for the same purpose that does not contain this substance, so it is better to use them. This does not mean that drugs that contain PPA willl be not used at all but at least you should know that what you are using has this substance and should not be administrated for long periods of time.

Drugs that contain PPA are:
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine (cherry or orange)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent
Alka Seltzer Plus Nighttime cold Medicine Effervescent
BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
BC Sinus Cold Powder
Comtrex Deep Chest Cold & Congestion Relief
Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief Day & Night
Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules
Contac 12 Hour Caplets
Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus
Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets
Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels
Dimetapp DM cold & Cough Elixir
Dimetapp Elixir
Dimetapp 4 Hour Liqui Gels
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
Permathene Mega-16
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion
Triaminic DM Cough Relief
Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head Congestion
Triaminic Syrup Cold & Allergy
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough
Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant Plus
Dietary Supplements
Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control
Dexatrim Caffeine Free
Dexatrim Extended Duration
Dexatrim Gelcaps
Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free


Some patients should not take drugs that contain PPA at all and those patients usually have
http://www.drugs.com/mtm/phenylpropanolamine.html

high blood pressure;

any type of heart disease, hardening of the arteries, or irregular heartbeat;

thyroid problems;

diabetes;

glaucoma or increased pressure in your eye;

an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or

liver or kidney disease.

You can also see the FDA report on http://www.fda.gov/Cder/drug/infopage/ppa/default.htm

Also here is a link for FAQ on PPA
http://www.sayadla.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-508.html

Hope this helps as all of us are frequently using one or two of these drugs without doctor prescription

manal

Manal,

Thank you for this information, it is very important for thals and all people in general.  I have hypothyroid so it is really important for me as well:) 

Sharmin

You are welcomed Sharmin

manal

Phenylpropanolamine was banned and recalled by the FDA in the early part of this decade and manufacturers have switched to different drugs since. Medicines old enough to still contain Phenylpropanolamine would be past their expiration date long ago and should not be used.

Along the same vein, an FDA panel recently recommended that cold medicines not be used in children under age 6.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/10/19/coldmed.fda/index.html

Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines don't work for children under age 6, and giving the common medicine to young children cannot be recommended, a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee said in October.
art.cough.syrup.cnn.jpg

An FDA panel has called for more studies on how cold medicines affect children.

The panel of health experts, which looked at how safe and effective antihistamines, decongestants, antitussins and expectorants are in children, said it is not appropriate to take data from adults and apply it to children under 12...
 Earlier this year, the FDA completed a review that found that between 1969 and the fall of 2006, there were 54 reported child deaths from decongestants and 69 from antihistamines. Video Watch one family's tragic ending »

Most of the deaths occurred in children under 2.

In August, federal health officials recommended the "consult your physician" advice to parents on the labels of cold and cough medicines aimed at young children be replaced by a warning not to use the medications in children under 2 unless directed to do so by a health care provider.

Before the FDA hearings, some of the leading manufacturers of cold and cough medicines announced a voluntary recall of more than a dozen cold medicines for infants...

 The American Academy of Pediatrics applauded last week's decision to pull those products, saying, "These medicines are ineffective and can have serious side effects. There are other ways to treat cold symptoms."

The AAP suggests:

# Moisturizing the air with a vaporizer or hydrator

# Using saltwater nose drops to dry up a runny nose

# Using a rubber nose bulb to clear up congestion

# Feeding the child chicken soup

# Consulting a pediatrician

Andy, but unfortunatly this is not the case here as still some drugs have this substance like Denoral, Rhinomol, Flustop, Conta-Flu .... and others. Not all countries abide for those rules or reports

Andy what you reported about the other recommendation of FDA is alarming, but it not yet a banned, isn't it??

manal