Popular cold remedy recalled in wake of FDA warning

Nov. 6, 2000
Health Canada has followed the lead of the US Food and Drug Administration is issuing a warning about an ingredient in dozens of cold remedies. Phenylpropanolamine - or PPA - has been linked to hemorrhagic strokes, especially in women under the age of 50.

The ingredient is found in products ranging from Triaminic to Dexatrim. However, Health Canada says PPA is not used in appetite suppressing drugs in Canada.

Cold Remedies Sold in Canada containing PPA

ALKA-SELTZER PLUS COLD MEDICINE
EVT ANTITUSSIVE DECONG ANTIHISTAMINE SYR
BRONCHODEX D CAP
CALDOMINE DH ADULTE
CALDOMINE DH ENFANT
COLD & ALLERGY RELIEF - LIQ
COLD DECONGESTANT LONG ACTING CAP
COLD RELIEF
COLD RELIEF DM
COLTALIN TABLET
CONTAC COLD CAPSULES
CONTAC COLD EXTRA STRENGTH CAPSULES
CONTAC COUGH COLD AND FLU CAPLETS
CORICIDIN D LONG ACTING TAB
CORICIDIN D TAB
CORICIDIN ND TAB
CORICIDIN SINUS HEADACHE TAB
COUGH, COLD & ALLERGY RELIEF
COUNTERACT SINUS AND ALLERGY
DECONGESTANT ANTIHISTAMINIC SYRUP
DILOTAB
DIMETANE EXPECTORANT LIQ
DIMETANE EXPECTORANT-C SYR
DIMETANE EXPECTORANT-DC SYR
DIMETAPP CHEWABLE TABLETS
DIMETAPP CHILDREN'S COLD & ALLERGY TABLETS
DIMETAPP CHILDREN'S COLD & FEVER
DIMETAPP CLEAR
DIMETAPP COLD & SINUS
DIMETAPP COUGH & COLD LIQUI-GELS - CAP
DIMETAPP COUGH, COLD & FLU
DIMETAPP DM ELIXIR
DIMETAPP DM TAB
DIMETAPP ELIXIR
DIMETAPP EXTENTABS
DIMETAPP LIQUI-GELS CAP
DIMETAPP ORAL INFANT DROPS
DIMETAPP TAB DIMETAPP-C SYR
EMERCIDIN "D" TAB
ENTEX LA ORADRINE 2 TAB
ORADRINE TABLETS
ORNADE AF SPANSULE SRC
ORNADE SPANSULE SRC
PHARMACOL DM SYR
SINE OFF ND EXTRA STRENGTH CAPLET
SINE-OFF ALLERGY TAB
SINE-OFF N.D. TABLET
SINUTAB SA TAB
TANTACOL DM SYR
TANTAPP ELIXIR
TAVIST-D TABLETS
TRIAMINIC COLD AND ALLERGY SYRUP
TRIAMINIC DM DAYTIME SYR
TRIAMINIC EXPECTORANT DH SYRUP
TRI-ANAMINE COLD SYRUP
TRI-ANAMINE EXPECT ANTIHIST DECONG SYRUP
TRISULFAMINIC SUS
TRISULFAMINIC TAB
TUSSAMINIC C FORTE SYRUP
TUSSAMINIC DH FORTE SYRUP
TUSSAMINIC DH PEDIATRIC SYRUP

Health Canada says there has been only one reported case of a stroke in Canada related to P-P-A in the past two decades. SmithKline Beecham is urging consumers to call a hot line -- 1-888-366-7475 -- if they're confused about the risk.

Health Canada says if you're unsure whether PPA is in your cold medicine, check the list of active ingredients. If you are still not sure, check with your pharmacist.