BPOM warns of dangerous PPA content in drugs
The Jakarta Post | Fri, 04/17/2009 8:44 PM
The Food and Drugs Agency (BPOM) has warned consumers to take exercise caution when consuming drugs that contain phenylpropanolamine (PPA), as the substance is harmful and can be deadly in large enough doses.
PPA is used mainly as a decongestant. However, in parts of the world, it is also used for weight control. Consuming more than 150 milligrams of PPA per day may cause hemorrhaging and death. The substance is especially dangerous for those with a history of high blood pressure.
“The agency only allows 15 milligrams of PPA in one dose of over-the-counter drugs,” head of BPOM Husniah Thamrin said Thursday, countering rumors that the United States Food and Drug Administration has recently called for the withdrawal of all products containing PPA.
“In November 2000, the US-FDA withdrew drugs containing PPA after it became concerned that consuming large doses of the substance as for weight control causes brain hemorrhaging. However, the agency has given no recent updates concerning the substance,” she said.
Despite the low PPA content, consumers must moderate their intake of drugs containing the substance, Husniah added.
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