Common Drug Ingredient Could Cause Strokes

Reuters Health reports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that a common ingredient in many over the counter drugs be reclassified as unsafe because it may cause hemorrhagic strokes (bleeding in the brain).

The drug, phenylpropanolamine or PPA, is found in many common non-prescription cold and cough medications and appetite suppressants including Accutrim, Alka-Seltzer, BC Cold Powders, Comtrex, Contac, Dexetrim, Dimetapp, Naldecon DX, Permathene, Robitussin, Tavist-D and Triaminic.

The five-year study found that stroke patients were 50% more likely to have been exposed to PPA within a three day period prior to having their stroke.

Patients who used cough and cold remedies containing PPA were 23% more likely to have a stroke and those using appetite suppressants containing PPA were sixteen times more likely to have a stroke. The FDA estimates that PPA may be responsible for 200-500 strokes every year in people under 50 years of age.

Predictably, the manufacturers of products using PPA felt that the study did not establish a clear cut relationship between PPA and strokes. However, according to lead researcher Dr. Ralph Horwitz of the Yale University School of Medicine, statistically, these figures "could not have been expected by chance." 

In Touch Vol. 4, No. 12 December 2000 ISSN 1525-416X

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