PSA, verbatim from ameth.

[kuangning]

From: "Bruno 6.7"
Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2003 10:53 PM
Subject: [PaganAllianceofNurses] FWD: Medication alert

I got this message from one of the high-ups of my school, the McGill School of Nursing. This is NOT a chainletter hoax.
-Bruno

----Original Message Follows----


All drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are being recalled. You may want to try calling the 800 number listed on most drug boxes and inquire about a REFUND. Please read this CAREFULLY. Also, please pass this on to everyone you know. STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient.

It has been linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in brain) among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting use of medication.

Problems were not found in men, but the FDA recommended that everyone (even children) seek alternative medicine.

The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine:
Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant
Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements
Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine (cherry or orange)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent
Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine
BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
BC Sinus Cold Powder
Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief
Day & Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules
Contac 12 Hour Caplets
Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus
Dexatrim Caffeine Free
Dexatrim Extended Duration
Dexatrim Gelcaps
Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free
Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets
Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels
Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir
Dimetapp Elixir
Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
Permathene Mega-16
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion
Triaminic DM Cough Relief
Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head
Triaminic Syrup Cold & Allergy
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough

I just found out and called the 800# on the container for Triaminic and they informed me that they are voluntarily recalling the following medicines because of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and seizures in children.

Orange 3D Cold & Allergy Cherry (Pink) 3D Cold & Cough Berry 3D Cough Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant.

They are asking you to call them at 800-548-3708 with the lot number on the box so they can send you postage for you to send it back to them, and they will also issue you a refund. If you know of anyone else with small children, PLEASE PASS THIS ON. THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF! DO PASS ALONG TO ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are informed. They can then pass it along to their families.

To confirm these findings please take time to check the following URL:

Phenylpropanolamine Information Page
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/default.htm


Heather Rourke
Manager, Communications
Chef, Communications
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
Fondation des maladies du coeur du Canada
1402-222 rue Queen Street
Ottawa ON K1P 5V9
Tel: 613.569.4361, ext/poste 318
Fax/telec: 613.569.3278
www.heartandstroke.ca
www.fmcoeur.ca

Heather MacIntosh
Director of Marketing
Cloakware Corporation -- Winner of 2002 Frost & Sullivan Award for
Technology Innovation / Branham Group "Up & Comer"
"making software secure"
www.cloakware.com
mailto:heather.macintosh@cloakware.com
tel: 1.613.271.9446 x227

Natalie Gagné
Medical Analyst
Risk Management Services
725-9965 ext 883
ngagne@cmpa.org
Robert Cote MD
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery
McGill University

Comments

[andr00.livejournal.com]

That recall happened in November of 2000. These products have long since been reformulated.

[orchestralspy.livejournal.com]

Whew, that was scary. I was going to say, I don't recall hearing about it in the news..

Re:

[kuangning]

Thanks for the heads-up. :) I've taken quite a bit of Alka-Seltzer Plus, so I'm happy to hear that.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Yup -- old news. :)

It's why looking stuff up before reposting is a good idea.

Re:

[kuangning]

Mmhmm. I was careless this time -- ameth's usually spot on. I saw it, posted, and went offline.

[clay-cats.livejournal.com]

But, I appreciate the info, as I have old medicine in my house, especially alka-seltzer.. thanks so much. All the old products went to the trash. :)

Re:

[kuangning]

Eep. That's never a wise idea, you know. Once it's past its shelf life, some medicines get to be harmful. Not to mention, if you use old cough and cold stuff, you'll probably reinfect yourself with whatever you've had in the past.

[gurath.livejournal.com]

Not mentioned in the list is Entex LA, basicly a great big horse pill of the stuff. It squished blood vessels so well (and thus cleared congestion) that one could fly painlessly while having a head cold. Same reason it's not good for the ticker or blood vessels in your brain.

Yeah, that stuff was pulled a while back. No sweat.

: )

Re:

[kuangning]

I've never heard of Entex.