People who use medications containing phenylpropanolamine, or PPA, may be at higher risk for stroke, the Food and Drug Administration said recently. PPA is an ingredient in many over-the-counter cough and cold remedies made by Alka-Seltzer, Comtrex, Contac, Dimetapp, Robitussin, Tavist-D and Triaminic among others. It is also a key ingredient in appetite suppressants Acutrim and Dexatrim.

       The University of Alaska Anchorage Student Health Center has joined other health care providers by recommending discontinued use of PPA. You are advised to read the labels of your over-the-counter medications prior to using them.

       You can access additional information on the FDA Web page at www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/default.htm

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