PPA Injuries
PPA Linked to Unexplained Strokes in Young Women and Children
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Until recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on November 6, 2000, Phenylpropanolamine ("PPA") was an active ingredient in as many as 400 over-the-counter diet drugs and cold medications. The FDA acted in response to a scientific study conducted by Yale University - the study found that taking PPA significantly increases a young person's risk of having a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or into tissue surrounding the brain). Medical experts say that hemorrhagic strokes do not ordinarily occur in people younger than 50. The Yale University Study was sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry. The FDA called the study "compelling evidence of increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke in young people who use PPA."
Unfortunately, hemorrhagic strokes often cause death or severe disability in otherwise healthy young people. Because the over-the-counter drug manufacturers did not warn consumers of the dangers posed by PPA, many stroke victims (and their doctors) may not be aware that their strokes were caused by taking these drugs just to get rid of runny noses or shed a few extra pounds. It has been estimated that Americans took up to 6 billion doses of PPA each year before the recall.
If you or a loved one suffered a stroke within 72 hours after taking a product containing PPA, contact the lawyers at Kraft Palmer Davies to learn more about your rights.
Related Links
- Yale University Study - PPA (MS Word)
- FDA Review of Yale Study (MS Word)