PPA

PPA, or phenylpropanolamine, is an ingredient that was found, until November 2000, in many over-the-counter cold remedies and diet drugs, as well as prescription cold medications. PPA was used as a decongestant in cold medicines and as a weight loss ingredient in diet pills.

Phenylpropanolamine Side Effects

As with any drug, there are side effects associated with PPA. The most dangerous side effect of PPA is hemorrhagic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke is a condition in which an artery in the brain ruptures and the subsequent blood puts pressure on brain tissue, causing brain damage. There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke: intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although this side effect has thus far only been seen in women, men may also be at risk.

FDA Recall

The FDA issued a recall of PPA in November 2000 after a Yale University School of Medicine study linked PPA to an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke in women. Over-the-counter cold medications and diet pills were immediately pulled from drug store and grocery store shelves. Many of the manufacturers of these drugs developed medications using a substitute ingredient for PPA.

Find a PPA Attorney in Your Area

If you or a loved one has been harmed by PPA, you may want to contact a PPA lawyer for more information.