Psychiatric side effects attributed to cold medications !  A cover-up ?

Years ago while doing research on various illnesses, it was noted that
many 'episodes' of schizophrenic or manic-depressive incidents follow
'flu like' symptoms.

Now I would have expected that this would suggest a viral or bacterial
cause, however, upon discovering this article on the psychiatric
effects of over the counter cold medications, it seems probable, that
some people took over the counter cold medications for their 'flu like'
symptoms and the cold medication was responsible for the symptoms.

Question, why has the media not exposed this ?

Caesar J. B. Squitti

Psychiatric side effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine
by Lake CR, Masson EB, Quirk RS Dept. of Psychiatry,
F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Bethesda, Maryland.
Pharmacopsychiatry 1988 Jul; 21(4):171-81
ABSTRACT

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is a sympathomimetic drug
similar in structure to amphetamine which, in the United States, is
present in over 130 medications, primarily decongestants, cough/cold
remedies, and anorectic agents.

We have reviewed 37 cases (published in North America and Europe since
1960)that received diagnoses of acute mania, paranoid schizophrenia,
and organic psychosis and that were attributed to PPA product ingestion

Of the 27 North American case reports, more reactions followed the
ingestion of combination products than preparations containing PPA
alone; more occurred after ingestion of over-the-counter products than
those obtained by prescription or on-the-street; and more of the cases
followed ingestion of recommended doses than overdoses.

Groups at particular risk appear to be those with a past or family
psychiatric history, children under the age of 6 and post-partum women.

Failure to recognize PPA as an etiological agent in the onset of
symptoms usually led to a diagnosis of schizophrenia or mania,
lengthyhospitalization, and treatment with substantial doses of
neuroleptics or lithium.

While generally safe at recommended doses,PPA can be hazardous to
susceptible individuals and we urge physicians to be alert to the
potential for PPA related psychiatric reactions.