Phenylpropanolamine

I got an e-mail about Phenylpropanolamine--which is contained in several over the counter medicines such as mainly cold medicines. For more info, link here

Here is part of the e-mail: 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 orange)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-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
Contac Day &Night 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 Relief
Triaminic Expectorant Chest &Head
Triaminic Syrup Cold &Allergy
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold &Cough ...

Then I received a follow up e-mail with the following: "The FDA site at the end of this message (the link above) states that many companies have reformulated their products and removed the phenylpropanolamine so the list of products in this email may have already been "cleaned up". Just thought you might like to know."

I wonder if this had anything to do with sudden deaths of our sons' friends mom (age 46--aneurism) and the mysterious death of our former neighbor (age 20) who was found dead in the shower, with no marks or anything--her heart just stopped.

Scary stuff--but I'm glad the drug companies are reformulating their products. Might not be a bad idea to look to see what's in the medicine cabinet.....

Till next time,


Suzi