Cold medications ?

Well I came across this one additive to many cold medications, an
amphentamine, PPA that caused elevated blood pressure in some causing
strokes and in some 'vulnerable' people schizophrenic like conditions.
Never heard a word about this on the media, not like Vioxx, why ?
Ironically, the only mention of PPA as a stroke contributor was on a
comedy show, where it was given to 'sedate' people by giving them
strokes' ha-ha ! What a poor joke !!

Problem is that if you have intestional problems, then you may be more
susceptible to 'drug reactions" that mimic schizophrenia, in many over
the counter cold medications.

I say this because when i did some research on schizophrenia, it was
noted that many developed these  symptoms after flu like symptoms.

My first thought was that this may have been caused by a virus, etc.
But later when I came across the over the counter cold medication that
was withdrawn without much media attention, PPA, it become a
possibility that SOME of these people developed schizophrenic like
conditions because they were reacting to the amphentamine, in the cold
mediations.  (Look of psychotic reactions to PPA on a search engine)

I am deeply disgusted and disapointed in that the many organizations
that dealth with this disease do not and did not, bring to the
attention of the people, that over the counter drugs, could create
schizphrenic like conditions.

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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

"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."

"Failure to recognize PPA as an etiological agent in the onset of
symptoms usually led to a diagnosis of schizophrenia or mania, lengthy
hospitalization, 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."

Here is a link:
http://www.amphetamines.com/phenylpropanolamine/

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Suseptible individuals include :

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.

Post-partum women, suggests a link to sensitive individuals,
individuals with weakened immune system, and i would speculate
individuals with reduced levels of vitamin B in their bodies, and or
people with flu's and related symptoms.

Why were the negative effects of Vioxx so publicized, and those
attributed to PPA, including psychotic reactions so censored ?
Caesar J. B. Squitti