FDA bans risky ingredient in children's medicine Two weeks ago we reported on a new Yale University study claiming that the active ingredient in many children's over-the-counter cold medications — as well as in appetite suppressants and decongestants for adults — may raise the risk of stroke in some people. In response to the study, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week moved to ban phenylpropanolamine, or PPA. The agency said it would seek to remove PPA from prescription and nonprescription drugs and warned consumers against taking any of 400 different products made with the ingredient. PPA has been used for more than 50 years and is found in such children's nonprescription drugs as Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine and Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets. The FDA ban could take months to become official, but major grocery and drug store chains such as Albertson's, Duane Reade, CVS Corp., and Rite Aid have agreed to pull these and other medications from their shelves and many have already begun doing so. Though some critics say the study sample included too few people and no children, reports as early as 1983 found PPA was harmful to kids, causing problems such as headaches and even seizures. Experts like Philip Walson, professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati and a consultant to the Consumer Health Products Association, maintains there is no evidence that PPA is dangerous for children, but says concerned parents can look for alternative medications for their kids. What you can do Laura Bradbard, FDA spokeswoman, says the agency recommends throwing out all children's cold and cough remedies that contain PPA (look for "phenylpropanolamine" on the label). But if your child took a drug that contained PPA in the past, she says, don't worry. Participants in the Yale study who suffered adverse effects did so immediately after taking the drug or within the first three doses. "Once you stop taking [PPA], you're no longer at risk," Bradbard says. Many cold remedies contain pseudoephedrine, a safe alternative to PPA for most children. The FDA cautions against giving psuedoephedrine-containing drugs to children with asthma or high blood pressure, Bradbard says. Be sure to read the ingredients carefully on every bottle. Don't assume that a brand uses pseudoephedrine in all its medicines just because it's in one medicine sold under that brand. For example, some Contac and Robitussin products contain PPA while others use pseudoephedrine. For more information, call the FDA toll-free at (888) 463-6332 or directly (not toll-free) at (301) 827-4570. — By Jenn Director Knudsen __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Get organized for the holidays! http://calendar.yahoo.com/ >>>> 2.5 Mbps InternetShop >> InternetZone << Margonda Raya 340 <<<< >> Kirim bunga ke-20 kota di Indonesia? Klik, http://www.indokado.com >> Info balita, http://www.balita-anda.indoglobal.com Etika berinternet, email ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Stop berlangganan, e-mail ke: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
