November 6
Phenylpropanolamine and Hemorrhagic Stroke
	The Food and Drug Administration is warning Americans to stop using medications containing phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, and is asking manufacturers to stop selling the products. Even though previous FDA panels found PPA to be generally safe and effective, over the years the FDA received occasional reports associating the drug with hemorrhagic stroke, which causes bleeding in the brain. The FDA asked for more data, and today’s recommendations are based on a study conducted by Yale researchers. Even though the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, especially in people under 50, is very low, more people who took appetite suppressants and nasal decongestants with PPA had strokes than those who did not use them. Most of the risk occurred in women. Those who did experience stroke did so in the 3 days after starting use of the medication. PPA is found in many of the cold medicines we commonly use and it’s the only nonprescription diet ingredient on the market. So it’s very important to read the labels and talk with your doctor about the alternatives.
	It’s getting to be cold and flu season—are there any good alternatives? Actually yes. If you need a decongestant, look for medicine with pseudoephedrine. An antihistamine can help with sleep and congestion. Remember that these are medicines that can cause other side effects, so it’s important to read the labels and should be used only as absolutely needed.
	Resources and References: Question and Answers; Safety of Phenylpropanolamine U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/qa.htm Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Information Page U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/default.htm