FDA Alert for Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)

[RoadRunner]

Several over-the-counter cough-cold and diet drugs that contain Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) have been linked to an increased risk of stroke.

Read the FDA Public Health Advisory (http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/advisory.htm) to learn more.

The list includes Alka-Seltzer Plus, Dimetapp, Triaminic, Dexatrim, and Acutrim. Here is a more complete list (http://www.healthgate.com/choice/uic/cons/mdx-books/drugs/drug342.shtml).

[RoadRunner]

The FDA officials estimate that 6 billion drug doses containing PPA are taken every year. It has been marketed for more than 50 years.

BTW, lest you panic, CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/11/07/drug.warning.ap/index.html) says that the risk of hemorrhagic strokes is increased within the first three days of taking the medicine.

Maybe LisaRx will post and tell us more.

[Karenluvs6]

WOW

That is some powerful information RR!
How do they get away with putting this stuff out anyway?
I have never understood how drugs are put on the market...then recalled, after someone has been made severly ill or possibly killed!
Like that diet drug...what was that called?
Phen Fen...?....something to that effect.
Millions of ppl took that drug, trying to better themselves, and wound up having a stroke or died.
When will they ever learn?!?!

[Karenluvs6]

this is such an important announcement RR has made...Because there are millions of ppl all over the world, who use these medications every single day.
I don't know about anyone else, but the link RR has provided will not work for me.
Just in case, here is a list of the medications containing this drug...

CRC Description
-----------------------------------
5252333 ALKA-SELTZER PLUS
1350966 TAVIST-D
7388036 TRIAMINIC TRIAMINICOL
9175688 CONTACT SEVERE COLD 16 CT
1190814 COMTREX DEEP CHEST 24 CT
7533225 DEXATRIM XS W/VIT C
6400584 DEXATRIM EXT DURATION (PHASE-OUT STATUS)
3131711 ACCUTRIM MAXIMUM STRENGTH
1307750 DIMETAPP DM COUGH/COLD
3028438 DIMETAPP ELIXER
1216522 ALKA SELTZER PLUS COLD LIQUID
3709664 ALKA SELTZER PLUS NIGHT TIME (PHASE OUT
STATUS)
5275920 ALKA SELTZER PLUS ORANGE
3782000 ALKA SELTZER PLUS TABS
3509700 ALKA SELTZER PLUS NIGHT TIME TABS
7730608 AAFES TUSSIN CF COUGH FORMULA 4 OZ.
8515727 AAFES DIMAPHEN ELIXIR 4 OZ.
8093916 AAFES EFFERVESCENT COLD RELIEF 36 COUNT
3024833 AAFES DIET CAPLETS
8147803 PERMATHENE-16
3247319 ROBITUSSIN CF COUGH SYRUP
3114808 COMTREX MULTI SYMPTOM
3377900 SINE OFF SINUS

[RoadRunner]

Acutrim
Ami-Tex LA
Appedrine
Contac 12 Hour
DayQuil Allergy Relief
Dex-A-Diet
Dex-A-Diet Plus Vitamin C
Dexatrim
Diadex Grapefruit Diet Plan
Dimetapp
Entex LA
Phenldrine
Phenoxine
PPA
Propagest
Rhindecon
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D
Triaminic-12
Unitrol

[41mama]

I've been a little hesitant to panic about this -- actually gave my dd medication including PPA knowingly after this info came out. I think they noticed the problem because young women who were taking it as a diet pill were having an increased risk of hemorrhagic strokes. I suspect these women were taking it in a way that wasn't consistent with the labelling. When I was in LPN training, one of my fellow students, a 24 y/o man, dropped dead while taking a double dose of an OTC diet pill and drinking alcohol. I don't think the drug was PPA, and his problem was with his heart apparently according to the autopsy. I think the problem is more with diet pills in general. Christie