Skip to main content
phenylpropanolamine

phenylpropanolamine

1 9.9
A man-made medicine that reduces nose swelling and makes you feel less hungry
  • noun
  • /ˌfɛnɪlˌproʊpænəˈleɪmɪn/
  • Archaic
translation icon : fenilpropanolamina
  • Have you ever taken phenylpropanolamine for allergies?
  • phenylpropanolamine, a decongestant
  • phenylpropanolamine (PPA)

Examples

  • The doctor prescribed phenylpropanolamine for my sinus congestion.

  • The use of phenylpropanolamine has declined due to concerns about possible side effects.

  • Several cold remedies once relied on phenylpropanolamine to relieve nasal congestion.

  • The over-the-counter medication was recalled because it contained phenylpropanolamine.

  • The decongestant phenylpropanolamine is often found in cold medications available over the counter.

  • Many weight-loss products use phenylpropanolamine for its appetite-suppressing effects.

  • For her nasal congestion, the doctor prescribed phenylpropanolamine to help relieve her symptoms.

Surface Forms

Morphology

phenylpropanolamine = propanolamine (opaque) = phenyl + propan + ol + amine

The formation is a technical chemical name combining specialized morphemes; an average B1 learner cannot deduce its meaning from the parts.

Etymology

Phenylpropanolamine breaks into clear parts: phenyl is a ring part found in many chemicals, propanol is like propane with 'ol' meaning 'alcohol', and amine is related to ammonia, a word for 'a nitrogen compound'. So its name simply describes the chemical parts it has, which helps explain why it is used as a medicine to clear nasal congestion and reduce appetite.