Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) causing stroke?
April 25, 2009 – 10:01 am
What is phenylpropanolamine (PPA)?
Phenylpropanolamine is a drug ingredient of the phenethylamine family [1]. It used as a decongestant. It means that phenylpropanolamine used to treat the congestion associated with allergies, hay fever, sinus irritation, and the common cold [2]. It also causes a decrease in appetite and is used in some over-the-counter diet aids. In veterinary medicine, it is used to control urinary incontinence in dogs and is sold under brand names Propalin and Proin.
How phenylpropanolamine works?
Phenylpropanolamine will constric (shrink) blood vessels (veins and arteries) in the body. Constriction of blood vessels in sinuses, nose, and chest allows drainage of those areas, which decreases congestion.
Is phenylpropanolamine harmful for our health?
I has been associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or into tissue surrounding the brain) in women [3]. Men may also be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is low, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers not use any products that contain phenylpropanolamine because of the seriousness of a stroke and the inability to predict who was at risk [4].
The public health advisory supported by the research of phenylpropanolamine at the Yale University School of Medicine in 1999 which was produced that PPA increased risk of hemmorrhagic stroke. This similar reports of cases had been circulating since the 1970s.
The sides effect of PPA.
Beside increased a hemorrhagic stroke, phenylpropanolamine also an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling lips, tongue, or face; or hives); seizures; unusual behavior or hallucinations; or an irregular or fast heartbeat. Also, less serious side effects maybe occured like dizziness, lightheadedness, or drowsiness; headache; insomnia; anxiety; tremor (shaking) or restlessness; nausea or vomiting; or sweating.
[1] Flavahan NA. 2005. Phenylpropanolamine constricts mouse and human blood vessels by preferentially activating alpha2-adrenoceptors. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 313 (1): 432–9.
[2] http://www.drugs.com/mtm/phenilpropanolamine.htm[3] Kernan WN et al. 2000. Phenylpropanolamine and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. N. Engl. J. Med. 343 (25): 1826–32.
[4] http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/advisory.htm
