030504 – Cold&Flu medicine(PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE,PPA) causes Stroke

To confirm this check out web  site at bottom of this page.

 PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE

All  drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are being
recalled. You may want to  try calling the 800 number listed on
most drug boxes and inquire about a  REFUND.
Please read this CAREFULLY. Also, please pass this on
to  everyone you know.

STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient.  It
has been linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in
brain)  among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting
use of  medication. Problems were not found in men, but the FDA
recommended that  everyone (even children) seek alternative
medicine.

The following  medications contain Phenylpropanolamine:

Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite  Suppressant
Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements
Acutrim Maximum Strength  Appetite Control
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine  Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine (cherry or  orange)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-Seltzer Plus  Cold &Cough Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold &Flu  Medicine
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold &Sinus Effervescent
Alka Seltzer  Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine
BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
BC Sinus  Cold Powder
Comtrex Flu Therapy &Fever Relief
Day &Night  Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules
Contac 12 Hour Caplets
Coricidin D Cold,  Flu &Sinus
Dexatrim Caffeine Free
Dexatrim Extended  Duration
Dexatrim Gelcaps
Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free
Dimetapp  Cold &Allergy Chewable Tablets
Dimetapp Cold &Cough  Liqui-Gels
Dimetapp DM Cold &Cough Elixir
Dimetapp  Elixir
Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
Dimetapp  12 Hour Extentabs Tablets
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
Permathene  Mega-16
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus  &Nasal
Congestion
Triaminic DM Cough Relief
Triaminic  Expectorant Chest &Head
Triaminic Syrup Cold  &Allergy
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold &Cough ....

I just  found out and called the 800# on the container
for Triaminic and they  informed me that they are
voluntarily recalling the following medicines  because
of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and
seizures  in children:

Orange 3D Cold &Allergy Cherry (Pink)
3D Cold  &Cough Berry
3D Cough  Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant

They are asking you to call them at  800-548-3708 with
the lot number on the box so they can send you postage  for you
to send it back to them, and they will also issue you a  refund.
If you know of anyone else with small children, PLEASE  PASS
THIS
ON.
THIS
IS
SERIOUS STUFF!

DO PASS ALONG TO  ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are
informed.
They can then pass it  along to their families.

To confirm these findings please take time  to check the
following:

URL: Phenylpropanolamine Information  Page
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/default.htm

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Information Page

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.
FDA’s 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.
For more information on this public health advisory, please see the items below. 
o	FDA Talk Paper on Phenylpropanolamine (PPA).  11/6/2000. 
o	Public Health Advisory.  Subject:  Safety of Phenylpropanolamine (PPA). 11/6/2000. 
o	Questions and Answers about Phenylpropanolamine (PPA).  11/6/2000. 
o	Science Background Statement on Safety of Phenylpropanolamine (PPA).  11/6/2000.  
o	FDA Letter to Manufacturers of Drug Products Containing Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) dated 11/3/2000. Optional Format: PDF  Posted 11/6/2000. 
o	Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting: Safety Issues of Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) in Over-the-Counter Drug Products, (10/19/00).  This link leads to the meeting agenda, roster, questions, presentation slides, and briefing information, including the Yale Hemorrhagic Stroke Project:  Final Study Report. 
o	Federal Register Announcement: Phenylpropanolamine; Proposal to Withdraw Approval of New Drug Applications and Abbreviated New Drug Applications; Opportunity for a Hearing.  Pages  42665-–42671 [FR Doc. 01-20300]  [TXT] [PDF] 

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