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FDA: Popular Oral Decongestant Ineffective, Recommends Alternative Congestion Relievers

  • FDA advisers deemed oral phenylephrine found in popular cold meds like Sudafed ineffective at relieving nasal congestion.

  • Doctors recommend corticosteroid nasal sprays like Flonase or oxymetazoline sprays like Afrin instead.

  • Pseudoephedrine in Sudafed is still effective but sales are restricted to curb meth production.

  • Antihistamines like Zyrtec, Allegra and Claritin can treat underlying inflammation from allergies.

  • Experts suggest steam, rest and relaxation to relieve congestion symptoms.

nypost.com
Relevant topic timeline:
FDA Panel Questions Effectiveness of Common Cold Medicine Ingredient
The FDA has concluded that phenylephrine, a common decongestant ingredient in over-the-counter cold and flu medications, is no more effective than a placebo, possibly leading to the removal of these medicines from shelves as manufacturers work to find alternative formulas.
FDA Panel Finds Common Decongestant Ingredient Ineffective, But Phenylephrine Products Remain on Market for Now
Over 200 over-the-counter decongestants containing phenylephrine, a key ingredient just revealed to be ineffective, are still on pharmacy shelves despite evidence dating back to 2007 showing that it doesn't work.
CVS Removes Ineffective Cold Medicines from Shelves
CVS Health is pulling cold and cough medications containing phenylephrine from its stores after an FDA panel deemed the common decongestant as ineffective.
CVS Removing Oral Decongestants With Phenylephrine Only After FDA Questions Efficacy
U.S. pharmacy chain CVS Health is discontinuing the sale of decongestants containing phenylephrine as the only active ingredient due to doubts about its effectiveness, but will continue to offer other oral cough and cold products to meet consumer needs.
CVS Voluntarily Removes Ineffective Oral Cough/Cold Products with Phenylephrine
CVS is voluntarily removing oral cough and cold products containing phenylephrine as the only active ingredient after an FDA advisory panel determined that it is not effective in relieving nasal congestion.