OT: Drug ALERT

[dolphin]

I checked this out on SNOPES...and it's true.

All drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are being recalled. 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 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
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 &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!

[bobw]

http://www.fda.gov/CDER/DRUG/infopage/ppa/default.htm

[sandbox]

old news 2000
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/

PPA Recall Alert

Claim:   Drug products containing PPA (phenylpropanolamine) were pulled from the market due to FDA concerns over a possible connnection to strokes.

Status:   True (but outdated).
http://www.snopes.com/medical/drugs/ppa.asp

[jcarter]

Hi Dolphin,
Egads, thank goodness Ive never used any of these products for any of our kids, nor us ourselves. And our grandkids have never had these given either, I think they are just over the counter things that most people ignore, but I do not know. I dont think that doctors prescribe these either, so I do thank you for the update, as I sure would not want to have anyone in our family get any of this stuff.
I am not familiar with these meds, which is probably a darn good thing.
Our family does not use any meds that our doctor has not prescribed, and we do not buy these hyped up over the counter stuff that stores sell at high prices.  Nor these so called health food and 'organic' stuff, or any off-market stuff.  It can be very dangerous, and combined with prescriptions, can be worse.
In other words, look up any stuff that is not a FDA sanctioned drug!!!!!!
Its all there on the net with all their side effects. Buyer beware.
Jane

[Paddy]

Um...that news is now SIX years out of date and the products affected have all been reformulated. Unfortunately the email containing this info is once again making the rounds.

As a quick, random check:

http://www.alka-seltzer.com/asp/faq.htm

Unless you have things in your medicine cabinet that are OLDER THAN SIX YEARS (and long, long past their expiration date) this is not very useful news.

Trend Micro has posted the following:

QUOTE

Drug Recall Hoax

Type: Urban Legend

Description:

This alarmist chain letter circulating via email urges its recipients to seek refunds from buying certain drugs that contains the active ingredient "phenylpropanolamine" (PPA), which are allegedly being recalled by health authorities. Although its statements are based on an official U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruling over the manufacturing of certain over-the-counter drugs, it has hyped the issue to the point of provoking frenzy and confusion to consumers.

However, it has been validated by medical studies that PPA found in nasal decongestants, cough/cold products and weight control drugs actually cause an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding of the brain). This email message though erroneously cites some facts; like how the side effects occur only on women when even men are at risk with it. It also makes it appear that the issue is relatively current whereas appropriate measures have been made and publicized almost three years ago.

Trend Micro considers this email message as a hoax and advises its customers to disregard, delete, and not pass it around anymore.

[jcarter]

Whew, I am glad.  I had not seen it before.
Jane

[Gregg]

I vaguely remember this being in the news whenever that was. That's always my test of things circulating on the internet. If it's a big story, I'll hear about it on the radio and TV. If it's just from the internet, especially a forwarded e-mail, I just ignore it.

[jcarter]

Mee too.  I ignore those alarmist thingies on the Net too.  And if it is important and factual, it will eventually be in the news and in the newspaper.
I usually delete those forwarded emails too.

I did see something quite interesting about allergies in the paper the other day, a long lasting shot that would eliminate a lot of Hay Fever stuff.  
And the Shingles shot is interesting to see too.
Its fun to watch the medical stuff, as there are a lot of really interesting things going on, lots of research.
I was part of the Lyme Disease study program years ago, but it was ended, so I dont know if I am really immune or not.  Just know that the percentage of the protection that the innoculation that dogs get, is only about 75% or less.
Jane

[GfxGuy]

I can tell you, being in the industry, that phenylpropanolamine (PPA) was not as bad a drug as all the reports made it sound. The problemm with PPA was that in addition  to being used as it was intednded (as a cough/cold remedy) it was found to be an effective diet pill. It reduced the desire to eat. People were eating it like candy so they wouldn't eat food. With the increased levels of intake came the problemss, especially in women. The FDA yanked the product off the shelf to keep us "safe" from ourselves.
 
Another effective nasal decongestant, pseudoephedrine (PSE), is now being made nigh impossible to get because drug labs have been using it to create methamphetamines. Drug enforcement found itself fighting an uphill battle with the labs and convinced the FDA to put any product containing PSE behind the pharmacy counter to limit access. Effective in slowing down the meth labs, but as a result there's yet another med you can't get (unless you go to a pharmacy).

All of the products you find in the store that include "Drug Facts Labeling"--all the copy on the back of the carton or bottle is in black outline boxes and includes information like "active ingredients"--is FDA approved. It has to be. Your doc isn't the only place to  get safe  meds. Store brands and Nat'l brands go thorough the same scrutiny by the FDA. Save yourself a few bucks and buy store brands.

Steve

[kimmer]

Yeah and when they took the pseudoephedrine out of my Sudafed, it wasn't *near* as effective on our allergies. I'm fortunate that I seldom need it now that we've moved or I would be crying.

[sandbox]

Fro accurate and upto date alerts go here http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/elist.htm

We are also no the CDC alert list.