Washington (H24N). A controversial new study suggests some common over-the-counter drugs used to treat colds or suppress appetites could increase the risk of having a stroke.

The 5-year study conducted at Yale University suggests the use of drugs containing a compound called phenylpropanolamine (PPA) could contribute to strokes suffered by adults under 50 years of age, traditionally a group at low-risk for brain hemorrhages. PPA, which helps relieve nasal congestion and also appears to contribute to weight loss, has been on the market for decades. The Yale study says consumers take billions of doses of PPA every year.

In recent years some young women taking diet drugs that contained PPA have experienced strokes, creating concern among manufacturers that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) might ban the substance. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CPHA) helped fund the Yale study, and is now questioning its conclusions. Representatives of the FDA, CPHA and the authors of the Yale study are to present their findings at a meeting planned for Thursday.

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