Proper use of PPA is safe, DOH says

Information released by the National Poison Control & Information Service (NPCIS) of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine reveals that there has been no deaths arising from the proper intake of medications containing PPA from 1992 to February 2003.

The report clarified recent newspaper reports, claiming the NPCIS has data showing that there had been six PPA-related deaths in the last three years.

Phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, is found in some over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold pharmaceutical products and is a common decongestant used to relieve ailments from runny to clogged nose. Doctors say that clogged nose, if not properly treated, can lead to sinusitis, inflammation of the middle ear and allergic rhinitis.

PPA has long been approved by the Department of Health and the Bureau of Food and Drugs as an OTC agent. In fact, DOH-BFAD advisory No. 2003-0001 affirms that "all drug products containing PPA at doses of 25 mg or below shall continue to be classified as over-the-counter (OTC) products."

Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit continues to assure the public that drugs with PPA taken at the proper dosage are safe.

PPA is a popular ingredient in OTC decongestants worldwide, but in the United States, it is also used as an anorexiant to promote weight loss. There were numerous cases in the US where PPA was abused by weight loss