E-drug: Phenylpropanolamine and the risk of haemorrhagic stroke
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The results of the study (in the NEJM) demonstrate that, among women,
the use of appetite suppressants is significantly associated with
hemorrhagic stroke (OR=16.6, CI: 1.5 to 182.2).
On the other hand, for women who used a product containing
phenylpropanolamine for the first time, there was no risk of hemorrhagic
stroke (OR=3.13, CI:0.86 to 11.46).
Also, for men and women combined, there was no risk for hemorrhagic
stroke in those using a product containing phenylpropanolamine
(OR=11.5, CI: 0.84 to 2.64) and in those that used cough and cold
remedies containing
phenylpropanolamine (OR=1.23, CI:0.68 to 2.24).
Given these results, I wonder why the FDA would also recommend the
withdrawal of phenylpropanolamine-containing cough and cold remedies
when the culprit appears to be appetite suppressants?
Is this a situation where the statistics are interpreted in the context of
values (safety concerns)?
John Q. Wong, MD, MS
Philippines
<johnw@mydestiny.net>
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