A letter I received in the email today. It is a warning about Phenylpropanolamine.
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Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 10:10
Subject: Fw: Urgent health
Information: Phenylpropanolamine.
Hi Everyone
I am passing this email forwarded to me this morning. It's about a medication that is familiar to many of us. Note also the FDA 's comments at the end of the message.
I received this information from a friend whose mother recently passed away. Apparently, this was caused by a medication that is deadly. Here are the details and I suggest you pass it on to your loved ones and others.
Subject: Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
I would like to thank those of you who expressed condolences on the
recent passing of my mothe r. She suffered a?hemorrhagic stroke?while she was
driving home from my house on 7/30 and passed away on 8/3. My mother's stroke
and passing was an enormous shock to my family because she did not have any
symptoms or risk factors for a stroke. Just the week before she had gone to her
doctor for a check up and received a clean bill of health. She did, however,
develop a cold while she was visiting me and had taken Alka Seltzer Cold Plus for
3 days. Since her passing, we have learned that?Alka Seltzer?is one of the many
cold medicines that contains Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) which can cause
hemorrhagic stokes or cerebral bleeding even with the first use. I am
forwarding a list of other medications that currently use PPA. These medicines
are supposedly being recalled but my mother just purchased this medication less
than two weeks ago. Pharmaceutical companies have known about this danger for
years, we unfortunately, did not.
I urge you to review the list of medi cines with PPA and avoid these
medications. All drugs containing?PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE?are dangerous. 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 or ange)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alk a-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 Rel! ief
Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head
Triaminic Syrup ! ! Cold & amp;am p; 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:
Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Information Page
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm150738.htm
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Additional FDA Links:
FDA Letter to Manufacturers of Drug Products Containing Phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm150774.htm
