ASUCLA pulls common medications off shelf

COMMON PRODUCTS CONTAINING PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE
PPA is a synthetic sympathominimetic amine similar to central
nervous system stimulants. It is one of the most commonly used
non-prescription cough-cold medications and may increase the risks
of strokes.* Alka Seltzer Plus Contac Dexatrim Dimetapp Robitussin
Tavist-D Triaminic *Some version of these products do not contain
PPA. Check ingredients. SOURCE: Yale University School of Medicine
Original by MAGGIE WOO/Daily Bruin Web adaptation by S. MA

By Kimberley Ma
Daily Bruin Contributor

The Associated Students of UCLA removed several over-the-counter
cough/cold and diet medications from stores Thursday after the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration linked an ingredient in the products
with strokes.

According to a study by the Yale University School of Medicine,
phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, may increase the risk of hemorrhagic
stroke, particularly in women ages 17 to 45, but men may also be at
risk.

“We just reacted like we thought we should,” said
Mike Espy, manager and buyer for the UCLA Market-Ackerman Union.
“The decision to remove the products was not mandatory; we
did it voluntarily.”

PPA is one of the most common non-prescription drugs in the U.S.
and is found in cough and cold medications as a decongestant and in
weight loss products.

ASUCLA removed products such as Alka Seltzer Plus, Contac,
Dexatrim, Dimetapp, Tavist-D and Triaminic from its on-campus
stores.

These products come in different forms, some of which do not
contain PPA. For example, Contac has six versions but only one
contains the ingredient. The FDA suggests consumers check for
ingredients labels on the bottles.

During an Oct. 19 meeting, the Nonprescription Drugs Advisory
Board voted 13-0 that PPA be identified as an unsafe ingredient.
The FDA then issued a warning to the public Nov. 7.

Chances of a hemorrhagic stroke are low even with the use of
PPA, but the FDA is advising consumers not to take medications with
this ingredient.

“Although the risk is very low, we still have serious
concern about consumers using the product,” said Laura Alvey,
an FDA public affairs specialist. “The effects of taking the
drug are irreversible and we are unable to predict who’s at
risk.”

Based on Yale’s study, four hemorrhagic strokes have been
directly linked to PPA consumption.

In compliance with the FDA’s warning, many drug store
chains across the country, including Rite Aid Corp. and Wal-Mart
Stores Inc., pulled dozens of household products containing PPA off
their shelves.

“We sent out a direct call for all of our stores to pull
products with PPA off our shelves,” said Rite Aid Corp.
spokesperson Sarah Datz.

“We put signs on our stores notifying our customers and
recommend they seek help from their pharmacist,” she
continued. “We felt that the warnings were strong enough to
pull the products off the shelves.”

In light of what major drug chains are doing, ASUCLA decided to
remove products containing PPA as well.

“Since there were strong warnings issued by the FDA and it
appears that most of the major retailers are also removing the
products, it seemed like the safe thing to do,” said Student
Union Director Jerry Mann.

Medications that have been taken off shelves may return to
stores soon, but they will be reformulated without PPA as an
ingredient. Meanwhile, merchants are selling alternative
medications that serve the same purpose as products with PPA.

Though some stores have not removed the products from their
shelves, they have not violated federal regulations.

“It’s extremely rare that a company does not comply
with the FDA’s recommendation,” Alvey said.
“It’s not the norm, that’s for sure, but the
decision to remove the products is voluntary.”