FDA Advisors Call for Removal of Ineffective Decongestant Phenylephrine from Cold Medicines
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FDA advisors unanimously voted that the decongestant phenylephrine, found in many cold and allergy medicines, is ineffective at relieving nasal congestion.
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The FDA typically follows advisory committee recommendations, so could start a process to remove phenylephrine from the market.
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This would force manufacturers like Procter & Gamble (Nyquil) and Johnson & Johnson (Tylenol, Benadryl) to reformulate products.
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Retail chains like CVS and Walgreens make big revenue from selling phenylephrine products, so could be impacted.
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Researchers petitioned the FDA to remove phenylephrine based on studies showing it didn't outperform placebo pills for nasal congestion.