 |
Diet Drug Warnings |
Washington: On Nov. 6 last year, the FDA warned the American public about PPA, an ingredient found in many over-the-counter cold medications and diet aids. The worry is that products that contain PPA may cause stroke.
For now, the FDA has asked consumers to seek alternatives. It also has asked drugmakers to stop putting PPA into their products and to stop marketing the ones they've already produced. It's a first step to banning PPA.
Here is more information about PPA and how to follow the FDA's advice on avoiding it:
Full name:
Phenylpropanolamine or Phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (fen-ill-proe-pa-NOLE-a-meen hy-dro-chlo-ride)
The Warning:
Avoid products containing PPA. The FDA believes the common ingredient is responsible for about 200 to 500 strokes per year.
Background:
In May, doctors from Yale University's Hemorrhagic Stroke Project found that PPA increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, a type of stroke characterized by bleeding in the brain.
An FDA advisory committee agreed with the findings in the Yale study in a report in October and suggested that PPA is not safe for over-the-counter use. The Yale study, published by The New England Journal of Medicine, suggested that PPA could raise the risk of stroke, even in young people aged 18 to 49. The editors of the journal released the study early because doctors and their patients may need to know about the findings now.
Some Products Made With PPA:
Cold/flu Remedies
* Vicks DayQuil Sinus Pressure and Congestion Relief Caplets
* Dimetapp
* Robitussin CF
* Comtrex
* Tavist-D
* Contac 12-hour
* Some Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicines
* Some Triaminic products
Appetite Suppressants
* Dexatrim
* Acutrim