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What is Phenylpropanolamine
NOTE: This drug is discontinued in the US.
Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is a non-prescription oral sympathomimetic agent structurally similar to pseudoephedrine; both are used for the treatment of nasal congestion.
PPA has less CNS stimulation, but a greater risk for cardiovascular side effects and risk of stroke compared to pseudoephedrine.
Phenylpropanolamine and all combination products containing this sympathomimetic component have been discontinued in the US by the FDA due to significant concerns for the risk of stroke and the inability to predict who is at risk.
This FDA action was based on the findings of the Yale Hemorrhagic Stroke Project.
Indications
- allergic rhinitis
- common cold
- nasal congestion
- obesity
- urinary incontinence
For the treatment nasal congestion due to the allergic rhinitis, common cold, sinusitis, or other upper respiratory allergies
Side Effects
- angina
- anorexia
- anxiety
- arrhythmia exacerbation
- diaphoresis
- dizziness
- dysuria
- hallucinations
- headache
- hypertension
- insomnia
- interstitial nephritis
- intracranial bleeding
- irritability
- mydriasis
- myocardial infarction
- nausea
- palpitations
- premature atrial contractions (PACs)
- premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
- psychosis
- renal failure (unspecified)
- restlessness
- rhabdomyolysis
- seizures
- sinus tachycardia
- stroke
- supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
- tachypnea
- vomiting
- xerostomia
Monitoring Parameters
- laboratory monitoring not necessary
Contraindications
- acute myocardial infarction
- angina
- breast-feeding
- cardiac arrhythmias
- cardiac disease
- cardiomyopathy
- children
- closed-angle glaucoma
- coronary artery disease
- diabetes mellitus
- females
- geriatric
- heart failure
- hypertension
- hyperthyroidism
- infants
- MAOI therapy
- pregnancy
- prostatic hypertrophy
- renal failure
- renal impairment
- substance abuse
- tachycardia
- urinary retention
Interactions
No information is available regarding drug interactions associated with Phenylpropanolamine
