Phenylephrine: Commonly used decongestant in cold and flu remedies doesn’t work, says FDA

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that the decongestant phenylephrine, used in hundreds of over-the-counter cold, flu, and allergy remedies, does not work.123The regulator’s independent Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee voted unanimously that “orally administered phenylephrine is not effective as a nasal decongestant at the monographed dosage (10 mg of phenylephrine hydrochloride every 4 hours) as well as at doses up to 40 mg (dosed every 4 hours).” The committee said that phenylephrine is still effective in nasal sprays and drops, which are less commonly used.Phenylephrine is used because it is thought to constrict blood vessels in the nose and ease congestion.If the FDA removes phenylephrine containing drugs from its list of drugs that are generally recognised as safe and effective then these drugs would be removed from the market. That would have major consequences for drug makers and for the public.The FDA review said that 242 million…
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