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Phenylpropanolamine - PPA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking steps to
remove phenylpropanolamine (PPA) from all drug products and
has requested that all drug companies discontinue marketing
products containing PPA. In addition, FDA has issued a public
health advisory concerning phenylpropanolamine ( PPA ). PPA
is an ingredient used in many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription
cough and cold medications as a decongestant and in OTC weight
loss products.
In response to the request made by FDA in November 2000, many
companies have voluntarily reformulated and are continuing
to reformulate their products to exclude PPA while FDA proceeds
with the regulatory process necessary to remove PPA from the
market.
PPA Side Effects
Scientists at Yale University School of Medicine recently
issued a report entitled "Phenylpropanolamine & Risk
of Hemorrhagic Stroke: Final Report of the Hemorrhagic Stroke
Project." This study reports that taking PPA increases
the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or
into tissue surrounding the brain) in women. Men may also
be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is very
low, FDA recommends that consumers not use any products that
contain PPA.
In addition to strokes, other serious adverse reactions attributed
to PPA include acute psychosis, convulsions, acute renal failure,
heart damage, and hypertension, and there's abundant evidence,
including from randomized control studies for hypertension
in the literature.
PPA Warnings
FDA's Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee recently discussed
this Yale study along with additional information on phenylpropanolamine
( PPA ). The Advisory Committee determined that there is an
association between PPA and hemorrhagic stroke. It recommended
that PPA be considered not safe for over-the-counter use.
Phenylpropanolamine - PPA Health Dangers
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