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. This drug is an ingredient that was 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.
We
have received numerous requests for a list of products containing PPA. Since companies
continue to reformulate their products, FDA is not maintaining a comprehensive,
updated list of products that still contain PPA. FDA is aware of emails circulating
widely that list many products allegedly containing PPA. These emails, however,
generally contain dated and inaccurate information and should be ignored.
The
FDA recommends that consumers read the labels of OTC drug products to determine
if the product contains PPA. The Agency believes this to be the most accurate
method for determining the PPA content of OTC products rather than providing an
incomplete or out-of-date list of products that may have already been reformulated
and no longer contain PPA. (Introduction updated 03/07/03)
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.
FDAs
Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee recently discussed this Yale study along
with additional information on phenylpropanolamine. 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.
*Many
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