The most popular nasal decongestant on U.S. pharmacy shelves may not be there much longer. The Food and Drug Administration recently announced plans to phase out phenylephrine, the key ingredient some cold and allergy pills.

Summary

The FDA has proposed phasing out oral phenylephrine, a common decongestant in cold medicines like Sudafed PE and DayQuil, after studies showed it is no more effective than a placebo.

The drug, ineffective when swallowed due to breakdown in the stomach, remains usable in nasal sprays.

Alternatives include pseudoephedrine, nasal sprays, and steroid treatments like Flonase.

The regulatory process to remove phenylephrine could take over a year, but experts argue removing ineffective options will help consumers choose better remedies for congestion. Drugmakers are expected to challenge the proposal.

  • @[email protected]English
    11•1 month ago

    This is sold as Afrin in the US. Can confirm it works amazingly well. Can also confirm that long term use (more than a few days) will mess you up pretty badly due to rebound congestion.

    • ComradeSharkfuckerEnglish
      6•1 month ago

      Yeah I know people essentially addicted to affrin because of that rebound congestion. Its best used only when absolutely necessary

      • @xylogxEnglish
        4•1 month ago

        In my experience, it does more harm than good.

        • ComradeSharkfuckerEnglish
          3•1 month ago

          I’ve been able to use it when thinfs are really bad for just one or two days but then I have to stop

        • @[email protected]English
          1•1 month ago

          Try (the generic versions of) 4-Way. Oral phenylephrine doesn’t work at all, but nasal PE is about as good as oxymetazoline, with much, much less rebound congestion.