Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) and Stroke

photo-4ic Tendic he Food and Drug Administration has recently recommended that phenylpropanolamine (PPA) be removed from over-the-counter cold and diet medications. Products containing phenylpropanolamine or PPA included Alka-Seltzer Plus, Acutrim, Contact, Comtrex, Dexatrim, Dimetapp, Triaminic, Robitussin CF, among others. Most of these have been reformulated. Although an association between PPA and stroke has been known for some time (see discussion below), no significant epidemiological studies were ever reported. Recently (May 10, 2000), a final report of the Hemorrhagic Stroke Project (1) has been issued and based on its case-control epidemiological study, concludes that PPA significantly increases the risk of hemorrhagic …