PPA (Phenylpropanolamine)

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) announced on November 6, 2000 that they were taking steps to remove PPA (phenylpropanolamine) from all drug products. To begin this process they issued a public health advisory concerning the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain) associated with phenylpropanolamine (PPA). PPA is used in many over the counter (OTC) and prescription medications as a decongestant in cough/cold preparations. There are also a few OTC weight loss products that contain PPA.

PPA is one member of a broad class of chemical entities known as ephedrine alkaloids. Ephedrine is also a member of this class, but it should not be confused with PPA. The plant material from Ma Huang (the natural source for ephedrine) contains a mixture of ephedrine alkaloids. Included in this mixture would be some PPA, but the amount of PPA in Ma Huang is extremely low. The preferred alkaloid in nature is ephedrine.

Although ephedrine and PPA are similar in chemical structure, they are quite different in pharmacologic activity. The pharmaceutical industry synthesizes PPA which is then administered in the cough/cold preparation in high doses (up to 75 mg per dose). Natures Sunshine Products utilizes Ma Huang which is measured in ephedrine alkaloids. Of these alkaloids, ephedrine is by far the major constituent with PPA and several other ephedrine alkaloids being very minor components.

Natures Sunshine Products does not utilize PPA in any of its products. Natures Sunshine Products utilizes only the Ma Huang plant as its source of ephedrine alkaloids, ephedrine being the major alkaloid in the plant.

Jerry L. McLaughlin, Ph.D
Vice President Research and Development/Quality Assurance
Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)