phenylpropanolamine

noun phen·yl·pro·pa·nol·amine \ ˌfe-nᵊl-ˌprō-pə-ˈnȯ-lə-ˌmēn , ˌfē- , -ˈnō- ; -nȯ-ˈla-ˌmēn \

|Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of phenylpropanolamine

: a sympathomimetic drug C₉H₁₃NO used in the form of its hydrochloride especially as a nasal and bronchial decongestant and as an appetite suppressant

Recent Examples of phenylpropanolamine from the Web

In response, Congress passed the Combat Methampetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 to regulate and limit the sale of cold and allergy medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, ephedrine or phenylpropanolamine, traditionally used to make meth.

— beth warren, The Courier-Journal, "Meth, deadlier than ever, could be the 'next phase of drug epidemic'," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'phenylpropanolamine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of phenylpropanolamine

phenyl + propane + ¹-ol + amine

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1947

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

phenylpropanolamine

noun phen·yl·pro·pa·nol·amine \ ˌfen-ᵊl-ˌprō-pə-ˈnȯl-ə-ˌmēn, -ˈnōl-; -nȯ-ˈlam-ˌēn \

medical Definition of phenylpropanolamine

: a sympathomimetic agent that has been used in the form of its hydrochloride C₉H₁₃NO·HCl especially as a nasal decongestant and appetite suppressant but has been largely withdrawn from use because of its link to hemorrhagic stroke —abbreviation PPA