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Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)

WHAT IS PPA?

PPA is short for phenylpropanolamine (pronounce it fenal pro pan olamine). It is a chemical that has been around for more than 50 years and is found in many over-the-counter cold and cough remedies and appetite suppressants. It is also found in many prescription decongestants. PPA is believed to increase the risk of hemorrhagic strokes, especially in young women. This is especially true of women who ingested appetite suppressants containing PPA or who took other drugs containing PPA while on appetite suppressants. PPA is found in many different over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Please click here to view a list of recalled OTC medications.

HOW DOES PPA CAUSE DAMAGE?

PPA causes blood vessels to constrict or become smaller. This results in less blood flow through the vessel and at higher pressure. For some people, this may result in a rupture of the brain vessels which is called a "hemorrhagic" or bleeding stroke. These are different from the more typical non-hemorrhagic strokes we hear of. With hemorrhagic strokes, the results can be slight and unnoticeable to severe and lethal depending on the section of the brain where the bleeding occurs.

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF A STROKE?

The symptoms of a hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke may include severe headache, change in vision, stiff neck, trouble with speech or understanding speech, trouble moving or feeling different parts of the body (numbness).

WHAT TESTS ARE USED TO DETERMINE IF THERE HAS BEEN A STROKE?

Some of the tests used to determine whether a person has had an hemorrhagic stroke include computed tomographic scan ("CT Scan") and magnetic resonance imaging ("MRI"). If you have experienced any of the symptoms discussed above, you should consult your doctor immediately to determine whether these tests are appropriate for you.

HOW DO I PROVE I HAVE TAKEN PPA DRUGS?

Be sure to keep any containers or unused portion of the drugs you have taken that contain PPA. If you do have a case, we will need these items for proof. Keep them in a safe place but please do not send them here unless directed to do so.