Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care
Volume 32, Issue 2 , Pages 100-104, March 2003

Case report: Dexatrim (Phenylpropanolamine) as a cause of myocardial infarction☆☆☆

Boston and Burlington, Massachusetts, and East Meadow, New York

From aBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases; bLahey Clinic, Division of Electrophysiology; cNassau University Medical Center, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract 

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is a sympathetic amine used in over-the-counter cold remedies and weight-control preparations worldwide. Its use has been associated with hypertensive episodes and hemorrhagic strokes in younger women. Several reports have linked the abuse of PPA with myocardial injury, especially when overdose is involved. We report here the first case of Dexatrim (PPA)-induced myocardial injury in a young woman who was using it at recommended doses for weight control. In addition, we review the 7 other cases of PPA related myocardial injury that have been reported so far. Physicians and patients should be alert to the potential cardiac risk associated with the use of PPA, even at doses generally considered to be safe. (Heart Lung® 2003;32:100-4.)

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☆ Reprint requests: Florian H. Pilsczek, MD, Clinical Fellow in Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Kennedy-6, Boston, MA 02215.

☆☆ 0147-9563/2003/$30.00 + 0

PII: S0147-9563(03)00035-9

doi:10.1067/mhl.2003.27

Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care
Volume 32, Issue 2 , Pages 100-104, March 2003

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