TY  - JOUR
T1  - MOvement away from phenolphthalein in laxatives
AU  - Murphy J
Y1  - 2009/05/06
N1  - 10.1001/jama.2009.585
JO  - JAMA
SP  - 1770
EP  - 1770
VL  - 301
IS  - 17
N2  - 
To the Editor:  In the enjoyable JAMA Classics discussion by Dr Evens1 regarding the 1924 article describing roentgenologic examination of the gallbladder, I spotted 1 factual error. Evens mentioned that the contrast agent used by Graham and Cole in the original study, phenolphthalein, is still marketed today under the brand name of ex-lax. Phenolphthalein was formally banned by the Food and Drug Administration as an ingredient in over-the-counter laxatives in 1999 due to concerns of possible carcinogenicity.2 Products containing phenolphthalein, including ex-lax, were reformulated in 1997 in anticipation of the ban; the active ingredient in ex-lax is now senna.

SN  - 0098-7484
M3  - doi: 10.1001/jama.2009.585
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.585
ER  -