PPA / Phenylpropanolamine
Manufacturers of some of the world's most respected cold and cough medications have been reeling recently from the fallout of the Food and Drug Administration's finding that the primary ingredient in many popular over-the-counter drugs, Phenylpropanolamine or "PPA," may be unreasonably dangerous. PPA is used in such popular cold medicines as Contac 12, Alka Seltzer Plus, Tavist-D, Triaminic, Dimetapp, Robitussin, and Triaminic. PPA is also found in weight loss products such as Dexatrim and Acutrim.
The FDA's studies have shown an increased risk of stroke associated with PPA. While currently the PPA recall is voluntary, the FDA is in the process of formulating an official and mandatory policy to ban PPA within the next several months. PPA has been associated with strokes in women under 50. Most of the strokes began with a severe headache, stiff neck, and some loss of consciousness. The headaches are often precursors to stroke and can occur several days before the full onset of stroke. Although rare, the strokes caused by PPA are likely to be severe and fatal. Many of the young women who experienced a stroke did so after only one dose of Phenylpropanolamine or PPA. The FDA estimates that annually between 200 and 500 strokes are associated with using products that contain PPA. Typically, the stroke occurs within three days of ingesting PPA. The most likely type of stroke associated with PPA is referred to as the hemorrhagic stroke, which involves bleeding in the brain.
Some name brand products that contain PPA include:
- Acutrim 16-Hour Tablets
- Acutrim Gum
- Acutrim Max Tablets
- Alka Seltzer Plus Children's
- Alka Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough
- Alka Seltzer Plus Cold
- Alka Seltzer Plus Cold Cherry
- Alka Seltzer Plus Cold Orange
- Alka Seltzer Plus Cold/Sinus
- Alka Seltzer Plus Cough/Cold
- Alka Seltzer Plus Flu Tabs
- Alka Seltzer Plus NT
- Alka Seltzer Plus Sinus
- BC Allergy Sinus Powder
- Comtrex Deep Chest
- Comtrex Flu Day/Night
- Comtrex ND Liquigel
- Contac Capsules
- Coricidin C Tabs
- Dexatrim Caffeine Free Caplet
- Dexatrim Caplet with C
- Dexatrim EX Duration Tab
- Dexatrim EX Duration Tablet
- Dexatrim Gelcaps
- Dimetapp Chew Tabs
- Dimetapp Cold & Cough
- Dimetapp DM Elixir
- Dimetapp Elixir
- Dimetapp Extentabs
- Dimetapp Quick Tabs
- Dimetapp 4-Hour Liquigels
- Naldcn-Dx Adult Syrup
- Naldcn-Dx Child Syrup
- Naldcn-Dx Drops
- Permathene-16 Hour Tablet
- Robitussin CF
- Tavist D
- Tavist D Tablets
- Thinz Span Capsules
- Triaminic Chest & Congestion
- Triaminic Cough
- Triminic Cold & Allergy
- Triminicol C & C
Other products may contain PPA and InjuryBoard.com cannot guarantee that the above list is exhaustive. See your doctor if you have experienced serious health problems caused by PPA. In addition, it may be important to contact an attorney who can help you protect your legal rights. Please keep in mind that there may be time limits within which you must commence suit.
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-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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