Banned cold remedies displayed to press
If you haven’t already, it may be time to check the contents of your medicine cabinet. Phenol Proponolomine, a substance commonly used in nasal decongestants and weight loss aids, has been found to be very dangerous to your health. A recent study has shown that the drug can cause stroke and bleeding of the brain, among other side effects. Today pharmacists, along with the Ministry of Health exhibited the drugs containing Phenol Proponolomine which have now been banned from sale in Belize.
Alexander Usher, Pharmacist
“The drug is called Phenol Proponolomine, is it also known as PPA in short and it is available in several cold and cough remedies, specifically Alka-Seltzer Plus, Contact, Tabcin, some of the Robitussin products and a variety of others. It was found in November in a Yale University study that this drug could cause in increase in the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, which means bleeding out in the brain and thereby causing people to die or suffer very ill effects. There are a number of other medications out there which also contain PPA, including many appetite suppressants, such as Dexatrim and Acutrim.”
Sharon Sanchez, Chief Pharmacist, Ministry of Health
“It was used as a nasal decongestant, for stuffy nose and as a weight control, cause it suppress the appetite, so it’s being place in weight control products to assist people in losing weight.”
Jose Sanchez
“So all of these different drugs on this side of the table has been removed from the shelves?”
Sharon Sanchez
“Right, they have been removed. We did a pre-survey during this week, we check the pharmacies and the major supermarkets, gas stations, and most of them have been removed.”
Jose Sanchez
“Other than the pharmacies, a lot of people probably still have these different drugs within their home. What would be your advice to them?”
Sharon Sanchez
“We are asking them not to use it. Our aim it to give you the information, you have to decide, so you are making an informed decision whether or not you want to continue with the medication that you have in your home.”
Sanchez says that all of the banned drugs should have been taken off the shelves since December fifteenth of last year. If you are unsure if the medication you have at home is safe, contact a pharmacy or the Ministry of Health to verify its status.
