Phenylpropanolamine Drug

An ingredient in dozens of popular over-the-counter diet and cold medicines may be responsible for several hundred hemorrhagic strokes annually in people under age 50, government scientists said Thursday. Manufacturers insist that concern is overblown about the decades-old ingredient--called phenylpropanolamine and found in products ranging from Dexatrim to Triaminic. They argue that there is no proof the drug causes hemorrhagic strokes or bleeding in the brain.

Tracy Patton had just arrived at a community theater rehearsal in August 2000 when she felt such a searing explosion in the back of her head that it knocked her to her knees. At the hospital in Louisville, Ky., doctors said Patton, then 37, had suffered a catastrophic stroke, and they predicted she wouldn't survive the night. Patton defied the odds.

Novartis, maker of the Tavist D and Theraflu cold medicines, persuaded a Los Angeles Superior Court jury to reject consumer claims that it intentionally sold unsafe over-the-counter cold medications, the company said. Jurors rebuffed two women's allegations that the Swiss drug maker sold cold remedies Tavist D and Triaminicin containing phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, knowing it could cause strokes, Novartis said. The women sought more than $69 million in damages, lawyers said.

Novartis, maker of the Tavist D and Theraflu cold medicines, persuaded a Los Angeles Superior Court jury to reject consumer claims that it intentionally sold unsafe over-the-counter cold medications, the company said. Jurors rebuffed two women's allegations that the Swiss drug maker sold cold remedies Tavist D and Triaminicin containing phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, knowing it could cause strokes, Novartis said. The women sought more than $69 million in damages, lawyers said.

The Food and Drug Administration, in an unusually strong warning, on Monday told consumers to stop using dozens of over-the-counter cough and cold remedies and weight-loss products because of an ingredient that could cause strokes, especially in young women. Phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, is found in nonprescription medications ranging from Contac and Triaminic to Acutrim and Dexatrim. The ingredient is believed to carry a risk of causing hemorrhagic strokes, or bleeding into the brain.

They are the boxes we reach for when the sniffles strike and a cough comes on, the heavily advertised artillery that aims to ease the common cold. But now some consumers are taking a wary look at the cold remedies in their medicine chests to see if they contain a chemical suspected of causing strokes in young women. Some doctors are advising people to avoid the dozens of cold medicines and appetite suppressants that contain phenylpropanolamine, or PPA.

Tracy Patton had just arrived at a community theater rehearsal in August 2000 when she felt such a searing explosion in the back of her head that it knocked her to her knees. At the hospital in Louisville, Ky., doctors said Patton, then 37, had suffered a catastrophic stroke, and they predicted she wouldn't survive the night. Patton defied the odds.

The Food and Drug Administration, in an unusually strong warning, on Monday told consumers to stop using dozens of over-the-counter cough and cold remedies and weight-loss products because of an ingredient that could cause strokes, especially in young women. Phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, is found in nonprescription medications ranging from Contac and Triaminic to Acutrim and Dexatrim. The ingredient is believed to carry a risk of causing hemorrhagic strokes, or bleeding into the brain.

They are the boxes we reach for when the sniffles strike and a cough comes on, the heavily advertised artillery that aims to ease the common cold. But now some consumers are taking a wary look at the cold remedies in their medicine chests to see if they contain a chemical suspected of causing strokes in young women. Some doctors are advising people to avoid the dozens of cold medicines and appetite suppressants that contain phenylpropanolamine, or PPA.

An ingredient in dozens of popular over-the-counter diet and cold medicines may be responsible for several hundred hemorrhagic strokes annually in people under age 50, government scientists said Thursday. Manufacturers insist that concern is overblown about the decades-old ingredient--called phenylpropanolamine and found in products ranging from Dexatrim to Triaminic. They argue that there is no proof the drug causes hemorrhagic strokes or bleeding in the brain.