The FDA says oral phenylephrine, used in many over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, "is not effective as a nasal decongestant."

Summary

The FDA has proposed removing oral phenylephrine, a common ingredient in over-the-counter cold medicines like NyQuil and Sudafed, due to evidence that it is ineffective as a nasal decongestant.

The proposal follows a unanimous vote by FDA advisers last year, and recent studies showing less than 1% of the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream when taken orally.

The public comment period ends on May 7, after which the FDA may finalize the ban.

  • TʜᴇʀᴀᴘʏGⒶʀʏ@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    52·
    7 days ago

    Interesting. I use phenylephrine pills (no other active ingredients) for nasal congestion every time I’m sick, and it has always worked very well for me

    I do tend to be extra sensitive to most drugs though, so maybe that has something to do with it

    • Cethin@lemmy.zipEnglish
      13·
      7 days ago

      Maybe for you it does, although you’d need to test with placebo to really know. It’s amazing how much our minds can effect things if we expect things to change.

      It could also be that your pills are a significantly higher dose. If 1% is absorbed orally, maybe that pill has 100x the dose required otherwise.