COLD REMEDY RECALLED IN CANADA AFTER U.S. WARNING
WebPosted Mon Nov  6 22:26:24 2000

WASHINGTON--A popular cold remedy has been recalled after the U.S. Food 
and Drug Administration issued a warning about one of its ingredients. 

 Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules and dozens of other cold remedies contain 
phenylpropanolamine or PPA. 

 The FDA is concerned about the ingredient because of reports that it 
could cause hemorrhagic strokes, especially in young women. 

 Marketplace recall page Includes a list of Canadian medications 
containing PPA 

 The ingredient is found in products ranging from Triaminic to Dexatrim. 
The amount of PPA is usually higher in appetite suppressants than in 
cough and cold medications. 

 ARCHIVE: Canadian doctors skeptical about US drug warning The FDA says 
it is taking steps to ban PPA – but in the meantime, it is asking 
manufacturers to voluntarily stop selling products containing the 
ingredient. 

 SmithKline Beecham has asked Canadian retailers to stop selling Contac 
12-Hour Cold Capsules immediately because they contain PPA. 

 Health Canada says PPA is found in 63 over-the-counter products in 
Canada, and not in any appetite suppressants on this side of the border. 
Officials say if you're not sure whether your cold medication contains 
PPA, check the list of active ingredients. If you're still not sure, ask 
your pharmacist. 

 Customer reads a drug label The federal agency says it's studying the 
ruling, but doesn't know whether it will also issue a warning. 

 The stroke risk is very small to an individual user. But the FDA is 
concerned that with millions of people ingesting PPA every day, the 
ingredient could be blamed for up to 500 strokes in people under 50. 

 SmithKline Beecham says in Canada, there has been one report of a stroke 
linked to PPA about 18 years ago. 

 
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