Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Injury Lawyers in Phoenix
- Home /
- Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Injury Lawyers in Phoenix
The Phoenix personal injury lawyers with the Phoenix law firm of Phillips Law Group understand the complexities involved with defective drug litigation, including PPA lawsuits. PPA, also known as Phenylpropanolamine, has become newsworthy because of the recently published study by Yale University that confirmed the relationship between this over-the-counter drug and stroke due to an elevated blood pressure inside the brain that caused the blood vessels there to burst, also called a hemorrhagic (bleeding) or hypertensive stroke.
Hemorrhagic strokes typically occur in the elderly and are extremely rare in those under the age of 50. This five-year Yale University study comparing PPA use among stroke survivors with healthy people concluded that PPA increases stroke risk for young women within three days of taking appetite suppressants containing PPA, or within three days of taking their first-ever PPA dose for any reason.
PPA was used as an ingredient in many over-the-counter medications and prescription medications for colds, sinus, allergy, cough drugs and diet and appetite suppressant drugs and was found in over 400 products, which included over-the-counter appetite suppressants and cough and cold remedies. A few of the more common over-the-counter drugs that contained PPA are: Acutrim, Alka Seltzer, Alka Seltzer Cold Plus Medicine, Contact, Dimetapp, Dristan, Halls Menthol-Lyptus, Robitussin, Sine-Off, Tavist-D and Triaminic.
A 29 year old woman with no prior medical problems suffered a hypertensive stroke after taking PPA. This was written up on the front page of The New York Times, December 13, 2000. Some of the current litigation involves Alka Seltzer Plus, which previously contained PPA and was sold as a cold remedy or for nasal congestion. Some consumers who were taking a prescription medicine containing PPA developed a hypertensive crisis and stroke soon after using the medicine. In one case involving a famous New York photographer, death occurred within a matter of hours of PPA use. Another case involved Tavist-D, made by Novartis (formerly Sandoz), which was taken as a cold remedy. Another case involved PPA in a product sold for weight reduction because of its inherent appetite suppression effect.
The Yale study demonstrated a significant risk of hemorrhagic stroke in users of PPA, with or without concurrent use of other drugs. On the strength of that study and numerous side effect reports, a FDA advisory panel warned in October 2000 that the use of PPA in over-the-counter drugs was unsafe and should be removed from non-prescription drugs. Other safer drugs were available for the same purposes for which PPA was used. Close on the heels of that advisory warning, it was announced that the FDA has moved to ban over-the-counter sales of PPA because of the increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke for users. The manufacturers of PPA have removed their products from store shelves in the wake of the FDA’s actions.
Consumers should not use any products that contain PPA (phenylpropanolamine) because PPA is believed to be responsible for 200 to 500 bleeding strokes each year. While these products were reformulated and PPA was removed, they were never recalled. These products may be lurking in your medicine cabinet. If the label says it contains PPA, the lawyers with Phillips Law Group in Phoenix, Arizona, advise you to throw it away.
If you or someone you know has used an over-the-counter weight loss or cold and cough remedy and have suffered a stroke or similar serious injury through the use of PPA, contact the attorneys with Phillips Law Group to see if you have a claim for the harm that you have been caused.
Free Case Evaluation
By submitting your contact information, you agree that we may contact you by telephone (including text) and email in accordance with our Terms and Privacy Policy

Your message has been sent
Thank you for your message, we will get back to you soon.
Categories:
- Auto Accidents
- Business Litigation
- Class Action Lawsuits
- Defective Drug
- Defective Products
- Employee Rights
- Employment Law
- Firm News
- Local
- Medical Malpractice
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Pedestrian Accident
- Personal Injury
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Slip and Fall
- Social Security Disability
- Workers' Compensation
- Wrongful Death
-
Phillips law group is a great firm! Caroline is great.
-
I want to thank attorneys Tim and Robert and the paralegal Bethany for all they had done on my case. They were all empathetic, knowledgeable and professional. All my questions were answered, emails returned in a timely matter, and promises fulfilled. I recommend Phillips Law Group if you need help with your injury case.
-
Phillips Law Group is a company that has taught me so many things. Here your work, your dedication, effort and discipline are valued, in addition to the fact that, as a woman, as an immigrant and as a human being, I have been given value and empowerment. We are a successful law firm because all workers feel part of a great family. I am very proud and honored to work at Phillips Law Group.
-
I’ve been working at Phillips Law Group for nearly four years and I can confidently say this is the best personal injury firm in Arizona to work for. The firm is the best for numerous reasons but to start, Phillips Law Group gives employees opportunities for promotions and growth. I started working within the settlement department, moved to a paralegal assistant and grew to be a pre-litigation paralegal with my own case load. Each attorney I have worked for is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and easy to talk to. Secondly, I love how Phillips Law shows appreciation for employees. They host Friday Zoom Huddles giving out PTO, goodie bags, special shout outs, bonuses and gift cards. They also host extravagant holiday parties and fun contests during the Holidays! Lastly, the firm cares about giving back to the community, which is a trait I value as well. It’s rewarding to see a fast paced firm taking time out of their busy day to pay it forward. I would highly recommend working at Phillips Law Group!
-
Great company and awesome service. Thanks Caroline fabos. Kudos to all.
-
I just wanted to thank Phillips law Group and Vanessa Rodriguez for all the help that she did for my daughter’s case. She was involved in her first accident and she needed the help to deal with these adjusters. Thank you again.
-
Sophia H is very helpful.
-
Great experience! Took care of pretty much everything, and I always felt like I want in good hands. Caroline Fa. was also a great help with everything. She always returned my calls and I never felt unheard. Even after my case she would still help me with my insurance documents.
-
I would like to send special thanks to Phillips Law Group for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Best Law Firm here in the Valley. During these troubling times with the epidemic, Phillips Law Group has masterfully created this family-like environment while still maintaining a professional and business-like approach for all their clients. Thru impeccable leadership that is unmatched by other law firms to the Multi-diverse employment opportunities that many employees advance within the firm; Phillips Law Group has not only distanced themselves from all other competition in the Personal Injury field but also has innovatively changed the narrative of being a great law institution. From providing Employee Appreciation Day to celebrating all major Holiday including great competitive contests; Phillips Law Group has the total participation of all employees to help contribute to the continued success of this firm. So in closing I would like to thank Senior Administration (Jeffery Phillips, Eva Chiaramonte, and Tim Tonkin) along with all of my colleagues and many friends for help making Phillips Law Group a unique and wonderful place to call my place of employment for 6+ years.
-
My paralegal , Caroline , was on top of her game - very responsive and always answered any questions I had and in a timely manner . My attorney Rob ,was the best attorney I ever had . He explained everything in great detail and had a great sense or humor . He really knows how to bring light To tough , unfortunate situations - I would absolutely recommend them at anyone -