Intracranial hemorrhages due to phenylpropanolamine

Stroke. 1985 May-Jun;16(3):510-2. doi: 10.1161/01.str.16.3.510.

Abstract

We describe 2 patients with intracranial hemorrhage after ingestion of diet pills containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA) in combination with caffeine. The first patient had bilateral simultaneous intracerebral hemorrhages, and the second had a subarachnoid hemorrhage. PPA is widely used most often without prescription and causes intracranial hemorrhage more often than has been realized. The mechanism may be induction of a transient hypertensive crisis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Caffeine / adverse effects
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / chemically induced*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / chemically induced
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenylpropanolamine / adverse effects*
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / chemically induced

Substances

  • Phenylpropanolamine
  • Caffeine