Phenylpropanolamine: profile and news

'Don't take drugs containing phenylpropanolamine' May 1, 2006
Ministry of Health's Standard and Regulations Unit is encouraging consumers to beware of all drugs containing the ingredient phenylpropanolamine (PPA), even ... - Jamaica Observer,

Probable Cause #6: Experience Can Kill You May 14, 2006
Furthermore, the toxicology screening on the pilot revealed the presence of pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine and ephedrine. ... - AVweb,

Warning : Do you know what's in your cough medicine? May 8, 2006
Johannesburg (AND) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a report saying that the substance 'phenylpropanolamine' found in most nasal decongestants and ... - African News Dimension,

Allergy relief goes behind counters May 6, 2006
...law began limiting the sale of over-the-counter cough and sinus products such as Sudafed and Claritin D with pseudoephedrine, ephedrine or phenylpropanolamine. ... - Newsday,

Some pharmacies lock up sinus drugs May 7, 2006
...federal law limits the sale of such over-the-counter cough and sinus products as Sudafed and Claritin D with pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine ... - Boston Globe,

New law makes supermarket aisle a home front in the war on drugs May 1, 2006
While the new regulations will change the way the drugs — pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine — are sold, local vendors of the products don ... - Lebanon Daily News,

New limits on cold pills vex buyers Apr 30, 2006
...took effect April 8. People may buy no more than 3.6 grams a day or 9 grams a month of pseudoephedrine and the decongestants ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine. ... - The Journal News.com,

Designer Drugs: From Joy To Paranoid Delusions Apr 17, 2006
Syabu's precursors are ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine while it is called "speed, meth, chalk or china white" on the streets. ... - Bernama,

Ped Med: ADHD Drug Remedies Hit and Miss Apr 21, 2006
...of the World Health Organization's criteria of psychostimulant: 1) chemically, it is derived from a known stimulant -- phenylpropanolamine; 2) pharmacologically ... - National Ledger,

Patriot Act will limit over-counter drug sales Apr 27, 2006
...the country. To that end, the law limits distribution of nonprescription ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine. The ... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,

Law clears some drug store shelves Apr 22, 2006
...into law last month, pharmacists will have to dispense nonprescription drugs that include the ingredients ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine. ... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,

Litigators Watching Vioxx Trials Predict Merck Will Stay the ... Apr 20, 2006
...in phenylpropanolamine litigation, said that "Merck could have hoped for a happier result, but I would be surprised if it changes its overall strategy.". ... - Texas Lawyer (subscription),

Other information

Indication
For the treatment of nasal congestion, control of urinary incontinence, priapism and obesity

Pharmacology
Phenylpropanolamine (PPA), a sympathomimetic agent structurally similar to pseudoephedrine, is used to treat nasal congestion. Phenylpropanolamine is found in appetite suppressant formulations and with guaifenesinin in cough-cold formulations.

Mechanism Of Action
Phenylpropanolamine acts directly on alpha- and, to a lesser degree, beta-adrenergic receptors in the mucosa of the respiratory tract. Stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptors produces vasoconstriction, reduces tissue hyperemia, edema, and nasal congestion, and increases nasal airway patency. PPA indirectly stimulates beta-receptors, producing tachycardia and a positive inotropic effect.

Drug Category
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; Appetite Depressants; Nasal Decongestants; ATC:R01BA01; Sympathomimetics

Brand Names/Synonyms
(+-)-Phenylpropanolamine; Acutrim; Acutrim (TN); Ami-Tex; Codimal; Conex; Contuss; Despec; Dexatrim; Dura-Vent; Entex; Gentab; Guaipax; Myminic; Naldecon; Nolex; Partuss; Phenoxine; Phenyldrine; Phenylfenesin; Propagest; Rhindecon; Rhymed; Snaplets; Triaminic; ULR; Vanex; (±)-Norephedrin

Dosage Forms
Tablet, injection, SYRUP

Absorption
reduced bioavailability (about 38%) from gastrointestinal tract because of first pass metabolism by monoamine oxidase in the stomach and liver

Interactions