Brand Names

Category

• Appetite suppressant
• decongestant, nasal (systemic)
• sympathomimetic (adrenergic) agent

Description

Phenylpropanolamine (fen-ill-proe-pa-NOLE-a-meen), commonly known as PPA, is used as a nasal decongestant or as an appetite suppressant. It acts on many different parts of the body. PPA produces effects that may be helpful or harmful. This depends on a patient's individual condition and response and the amount of medicine taken.

Phenylpropanolamine clears nasal congestion (stuffy nose) by narrowing or constricting the blood vessels. However, this same action may cause an increase in blood pressure in patients who have hypertension (high blood pressure).

Phenylpropanolamine also decreases appetite. However, the way PPA and similar medicines do this is unclear. Stimulation of the central nervous system (CNS) may be a major reason. Phenylpropanolamine in combination with dieting, exercise, and changes in eating habits can help obese patients lose weight. However, this appetite-reducing effect is only temporary, and is useful only for the first few weeks of dieting until new eating habits are established.

Phenylpropanolamine has caused serious side effects (even death) when too much was taken.

There are a number of products on the market that contain only phenylpropanolamine. Other products contain PPA along with added ingredients. The information that follows is for PPA alone. There may be additional information for the combination products. Read the label of the product you are using. If you have questions or if you want more information about the other ingredients, check with your health care professional.

Some preparations containing PPA are available only with your doctor's prescription. Others are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use of this medicine.

Phenylpropanolamine is available in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Capsules (U.S.)
• Extended-release capsules (U.S.)
• Tablets (U.S.)
• Extended-release tablets (U.S.)

Before Using This Medicine

If you are taking this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For phenylpropanolamine, the following should be considered:

Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to phenylpropanolamine or to amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, ephedrine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, methamphetamine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, or terbutaline. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy--Phenylpropanolamine has not been shown to cause birth defects in humans. However, women who take phenylpropanolamine in the weeks following delivery may be more likely to suffer mental or mood changes.

Breast-feeding--Phenylpropanolamine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children--Mental changes may be more likely to occur in young children taking phenylpropanolamine than in adults. Phenylpropanolamine should not be used for weight control in children under the age of 12 years. Children 12 to 18 years old should not take phenylpropanolamine for weight control unless its use is ordered and supervised by a doctor.

Older adults--Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of phenylpropanolamine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking phenylpropanolamine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Amantadine (e.g., Symmetrel) or
• Amphetamines or
• Caffeine (e.g., NoDoz) or
• Chlophedianol (e.g., Ulone) or
• Cocaine or
• Medicine for asthma or other breathing problems or
• Methylphenidate (e.g., Ritalin) or
• Nabilone (e.g., Cesamet) or
• Other appetite suppressants (diet pills) or
• Other medicine for colds, sinus problems, or hay fever or other allergies (including nose drops or sprays) or
• Pemoline (e.g., Cylert)--Using these medicines while taking phenylpropanolamine may cause severe nervousness, irritability, trouble in sleeping, or possibly irregular heartbeat or seizures

• Beta-adrenergic blocking agents (acebutolol [e.g., Sectral], atenolol [e.g., Tenormin], betaxolol [e.g., Kerlone], carteolol [e.g., Cartrol], labetalol [e.g., Normodyne], metoprolol [e.g., Lopressor], nadolol [e.g., Corgard], oxprenolol [e.g., Trasicor], penbutolol [e.g., Levatol], pindolol [e.g., Visken], propranolol [e.g., Inderal], sotalol [e.g., Sotacor], timolol [e.g., Blocadren])--Taking these medicines with phenylpropanolamine may cause serious high blood pressure (hypertension) and other effects on the heart

• Digitalis glycosides (heart medicine)--Changes in the rhythm of your heart may occur

• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (furazolidone [e.g., Furoxone], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate])--Taking phenylpropanolamine while you are taking or within 2 weeks of taking MAO inhibitors may cause sudden high body temperature, extremely high blood pressure, and severe convulsions; at least 14 days should be allowed between stopping treatment with one medicine and starting treatment with the other

• Rauwolfia alkaloids (alseroxylon [e.g., Rauwiloid], deserpidine [e.g., Harmonyl], rauwolfia serpentina [e.g., Raudixin], reserpine [e.g., Serpasil])--Phenylpropanolamine may not work properly when taken with rauwolfia alkaloids

Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of phenylpropanolamine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)--Use of phenylpropanolamine may cause an increase in blood glucose levels

• Enlarged prostate or
• Glaucoma or
• High blood pressure--Use of phenylpropanolamine may make the condition worse

• Heart disease or blood vessel disease (including a history of heart attack or stroke) or
• Overactive thyroid--Serious effects on the heart may occur

• Mental illness, history of--Use of phenylpropanolamine may cause the mental illness to return

Proper Use of This Medicine

For patients taking an extended-release form of this medicine:

• Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew before swallowing.
• Take with a full glass (at least 8 ounces) of water.
• If taking only one dose of this medicine a day, take it in the morning around 10 a.m.

Take phenylpropanolamine (PPA) only as directed . Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than directed. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

For patients taking this medicine as an appetite suppressant :

• Do not take this medicine for longer than a few weeks without your doctor's permission .

If PPA causes trouble in sleeping, take the last dose for each day a few hours before bedtime.

Dosing--The dose of phenylpropanolamine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of phenylpropanolamine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking phenylpropanolamine .

• For appetite control:
  • For oral dosage forms (capsules and tablets):
    • Adults--25 mg three times a day. Do not take more than 75 mg in twenty-four hours.
    • Children 12 to 18 years of age--Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children up to 12 years of age--Use is not recommended.
  • For long-acting dosage forms (extended-release capsules and tablets):
    • Adults--75 mg taken once a day in the morning around 10 a.m.
    • Children 12 to 18 years of age--Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children up to 12 years of age--Use is not recommended.
• For stuffy nose:
  • For oral dosage forms (capsules and tablets):
    • Adults and children 12 to 18 years of age--25 mg every four hours as needed. Do not take more than 150 mg in twenty-four hours.
    • Children 6 to 12 years of age--12.5 mg every four hours as needed. Do not take more than 75 mg in twenty-four hours.
    • Children 2 to 6 years of age--6.25 mg every four hours as needed. Do not take more than 37.5 mg in twenty-four hours.
    • Children up to 2 years of age--Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For long-acting dosage forms (extended-release capsules and tablets):
    • Adults--75 mg every twelve hours.
    • Children--Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose--For patients taking phenylpropanolamine for nasal congestion : If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is within 2 hours (or 12 hours for extended-release forms) of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage--To store this medicine

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

Do not drink large amounts of caffeine-containing beverages, such as coffee, tea, or colas while you are taking this medicine. To do so may cause unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert .

For patients taking this medicine for nasal congestion :

• If cold symptoms do not improve within 7 days or if you also have a high fever, check with your doctor . These signs may mean that you have other medical problems.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Headache (severe); increased blood pressure; painful or difficult urination; tightness in chest

Early symptoms of overdose

Abdominal or stomach pain; fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat; headache (severe); increased sweating not caused by exercise; nausea and vomiting (severe); nervousness (severe); restlessness (severe)

Late symptoms of overdose

Confusion; convulsions (seizures); fast breathing; fast and irregular pulse; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); hostile behavior; muscle trembling

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Less common--more common with high doses

Dizziness; dryness of nose or mouth; false sense of well-being; headache (mild); nausea (mild); nervousness (mild); restlessness (mild); trouble in sleeping

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Additional Information

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, phenylpropanolamine is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:

• Urinary stress incontinence (loss of bladder control when you cough, sneeze, or laugh)

Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for this use.

Revised: 12/12/2000

Micromedex, Inc. Disclaimer

Copyright© 2000 Micromedex, Inc. All rights reserved. USP DI® and Advice for the Patient® are registered trademarks of USP used under license to Micromedex, Inc. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

Health Topics | Drug Information | Dictionaries | Directories | Other Resources

U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 Copyright and Privacy Policy, We welcome your comments. Last updated: 24 January 2001