Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Psychiatric side effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine.

C R Lake1, E B Masson, R S Quirk

  • 1Dept. of Psychiatry, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.

Pharmacopsychiatry
|July 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Psychosis in an adolescent patient with Wilson's disease: effects of chelation therapy.

Psychosomatic medicine·1995
Same author

Manic psychosis after coffee and phenylpropanolamine.

Biological psychiatry·1991
Same author

Dose-dependent response to phenylpropanolamine: inhibition of orthostasis.

Journal of clinical pharmacology·1991
Same author

Adverse drug effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine: a review of 142 case reports.

The American journal of medicine·1990
Same author

Phenylpropanolamine and caffeine use among diet center clients.

International journal of obesity·1990
Same author

Phenylpropanolamine increases plasma caffeine levels.

Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics·1990
Same journal

A Tribute to Prof. Jules Angst highlighting his Contributions to Clozapine.

Pharmacopsychiatry·2026
Same journal

Correction: Escitalopram and Clonazepam Affect Gasotransmitter-related Enzyme (nNOS, HO-2, CBS) Gene Expression in the Rat Brain.

Pharmacopsychiatry·2026
Same journal

Correction: Non-Response to Antidepressants: Risk Factors and Therapeutic Possibilities.

Pharmacopsychiatry·2026
Same journal

Consensus Guidelines for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Neuropsychopharmacology: Update 2026 - Pharmacokinetic, pharmacogenetic and clinical aspects.

Pharmacopsychiatry·2026
Same journal

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Cannabinoids: Therapeutic Reference Ranges for Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in Medical Cannabis, Nabiximols, Dronabinol and Nabilone.

Pharmacopsychiatry·2026
Same journal

A Naturalistic Study on the Cost Reduction and Efficacy of Long-acting Antipsychotics in an Early Intervention Programme for Patients with Recent-onset Psychosis.

Pharmacopsychiatry·2026
See all related articles

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) in medications can trigger psychiatric reactions like mania and psychosis, even at recommended doses. Physicians should be aware of these risks, especially in susceptible individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is a sympathomimetic drug found in numerous over-the-counter and prescription medications.
  • PPA shares structural similarities with amphetamines, suggesting potential central nervous system effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and analyze case reports of psychiatric reactions attributed to Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) ingestion.
  • To identify risk factors and clinical presentations associated with PPA-induced psychosis, mania, and schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of 37 published case reports (North America and Europe, since 1960) of psychiatric events linked to PPA.
  • Analysis of case details including product type, dosage, patient history, and clinical outcomes.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • 37 cases of acute mania, paranoid schizophrenia, and organic psychosis were linked to PPA ingestion.
  • Reactions were more common with combination products, over-the-counter drugs, and recommended doses.
  • At-risk groups include individuals with psychiatric history, children under 6, and postpartum women.

Conclusions:

  • Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) can be an etiological agent for serious psychiatric reactions, often misdiagnosed.
  • Physicians must consider PPA in the differential diagnosis of new-onset psychiatric symptoms.
  • Awareness and vigilance are crucial for preventing misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.