Beta
Phenylpropanolamine
medication Under reviewA sympathomimetic agent used as a decongestant and appetite suppressant, now primarily used in veterinary medicine for urinary incontinence.
Research summary
Human research on phenylpropanolamine consists mainly of short-term controlled trials in healthy volunteers assessing cardiovascular and autonomic effects at recommended doses, and observational pharmacoepidemiologic studies evaluating the risk of hemorrhagic stroke in real-world users. In controlled settings, typical decongestant doses in healthy normotensive adults produce modest increases in blood pressure and heart rate, with generally minimal acute sympathetic and cardiovascular effects at rest and during exercise when doses are within labeled ranges. However, case series describe severe adverse reactions, including acute hypertension, intracranial hemorrhage, seizures, and death, particularly with higher doses, misuse, or in susceptible individuals. Large case-control work and post-marketing safety surveillance have demonstrated an elevated risk of hemorrhagic stroke associated with phenylpropanolamine, particularly in women and within the first few days of starting use for weight control or nasal decongestion. Regulatory reviews concluded that this stroke risk, although numerically low, is clinically significant and not justified given the benign conditions being treated and the availability of safer alternatives. Contemporary consensus is that phenylpropanolamine should not be used in humans outside of highly controlled research or legacy clinical contexts, and it is not appropriate as a health or performance supplement.
Reported Benefits
No reports yet
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Add Phenylpropanolamine to your stack to report effects
Phenylpropanolamine use and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke: the Hemorrhagic Stroke Project
Kernan WN, Viscoli CM, Brass LM, Broderick JP, Brott T, Feldmann E, Morgenstern LB, Wilterdink JL, Horwitz RI
Reported Side Effects
No reports yet
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Add Phenylpropanolamine to your stack to report effects
Phenylpropanolamine use and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke: the Hemorrhagic Stroke Project
Kernan WN, Viscoli CM, Brass LM, Broderick JP, Brott T, Feldmann E, Morgenstern LB, Wilterdink JL, Horwitz RI
FDA Public Health Advisory: risk of hemorrhagic stroke associated with phenylpropanolamine
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Adverse drug effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine: a review of 142 case reports.
Lake CR, Gallant S, Masson E
No reports yet
Be the first to report this effect and help the community.
Add Phenylpropanolamine to your stack to report effects
Adverse drug effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine: a review of 142 case reports.
Lake CR, Gallant S, Masson E
Phenylpropanolamine use and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke: the Hemorrhagic Stroke Project
Kernan WN, Viscoli CM, Brass LM, Broderick JP, Brott T, Feldmann E, Morgenstern LB, Wilterdink JL, Horwitz RI
No reports yet
Be the first to report this effect and help the community.
Add Phenylpropanolamine to your stack to report effects
Adverse drug effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine: a review of 142 case reports.
Lake CR, Gallant S, Masson E
Phenylpropanolamine use and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke: the Hemorrhagic Stroke Project
Kernan WN, Viscoli CM, Brass LM, Broderick JP, Brott T, Feldmann E, Morgenstern LB, Wilterdink JL, Horwitz RI
Related health conditions
Research showing how this habit affects specific health conditions. Always consult healthcare professionals.
May Help With
Excess body fat that increases health risk
Phenylpropanolamine use and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke: the Hemorrhagic Stroke Project
Kernan WN, Viscoli CM, Brass LM, Broderick JP, Brott T, Feldmann E, Morgenstern LB, Wilterdink JL, Horwitz RI
May Worsen
Coronary artery disease or other cardiac conditions
Adverse drug effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine: a review of 142 case reports.
Lake CR, Gallant S, Masson E
Phenylpropanolamine use and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke: the Hemorrhagic Stroke Project
Kernan WN, Viscoli CM, Brass LM, Broderick JP, Brott T, Feldmann E, Morgenstern LB, Wilterdink JL, Horwitz RI
Hypertension — elevated blood pressure requiring management
Adverse drug effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine: a review of 142 case reports.
Lake CR, Gallant S, Masson E
Phenylpropanolamine use and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke: the Hemorrhagic Stroke Project
Kernan WN, Viscoli CM, Brass LM, Broderick JP, Brott T, Feldmann E, Morgenstern LB, Wilterdink JL, Horwitz RI
FDA Public Health Advisory: risk of hemorrhagic stroke associated with phenylpropanolamine
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Research (3 studies)
Phenylpropanolamine use and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke: the Hemorrhagic Stroke Project
Kernan WN, Viscoli CM, Brass LM, Broderick JP, Brott T, Feldmann E, Morgenstern LB, Wilterdink JL, Horwitz RI
FDA Public Health Advisory: risk of hemorrhagic stroke associated with phenylpropanolamine
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Adverse drug effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine: a review of 142 case reports.
Lake CR, Gallant S, Masson E
Community updates
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