Over-the-Counter Weight Loss Drugs

Over-the-counter (OTC) weight-control drugs contain the active ingredient phenylpropanolamine, which is also used as a nasal decongestant. The United States of America Food and Drug Administration recently asked drug manufacturars to discontinue marketing products containing phenylpropanolamine, based on evidence linking the substance to an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain). In addition, the United States of America Food and Drug Administration issued a public health advisory in November 2000, warning customers to stop using products containing this ingredient.

The United States of America Food and Drug Administration is proposing to classify phenylpropanolamine as "not usually recognized as safe," and is proceeding with regulatory actions that will likely remove this ingredient from the market.