FDA Questions Effectiveness of Common Cold Medicine Ingredient Phenylephrine

FDA panel determined the decongestant phenylephrine is ineffective at treating nasal congestion, calling into question common cold medicines.

Phenylephrine became the main over-the-counter decongestant ingredient in 2006 when pseudoephedrine was restricted due to meth production.

Phenylephrine is found in many common brand name cold medicines like Sudafed PE, Mucinex, and Dayquil.

Unlike pseudoephedrine which is proven effective, phenylephrine has questionable efficacy based on studies by drug companies, not clinical trials.

The FDA may now demand drugmakers pull oral phenylephrine products, though an immediate impact on consumers is unlikely.