Injury News

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is a chemical that can be found in many over the counter and prescription cold and cough medications, nasal decongestants, and over the counter appetite suppressant and weight loss products. PPA sales were banned November 6, 2000 because of concerns of the increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke found to occur especially in younger women. PPA is still available over the counter because the FDA cannot control over the counter drugs, so PPA continues to endanger people continuing to use products containing PPA. Every year billions of doses of over the counter medications containing PPA are used.

A Yale University School of Medicine study showed that an increased risk of suffering a hemorrhagic stroke with patients taking medications containing PPA. This May 11, 2000 report helped show the serious risk of using PPA containing products. Hemorrhagic strokes are potentially fatal and occur when bleeding into the brain or tissue surrounding the brain has taken place. The deadly PPA adverse effect can occur without warning and has irreversible effects.

The FDA has estimated PPA could be the cause of 200-500 hemorrhagic strokes suffered by people under the age of 50. An estimated 6 billion doses of PPA was sold every year in the U.S., with the majority of these not requiring a prescription.