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A popular nasal decongestant doesn't actually relieve congestion, FDA advisers say (www.npr.org)

submitted 1 year ago by pnutzh4x0r@lemmy.ndlug.org to c/science@beehaw.org

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Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously on Tuesday against the effectiveness of the key drug found in popular versions of Sudafed, Dayquil and other medications stocked on store shelves.

The FDA assembled its outside advisers to take another look at phenylephrine, which became the main drug in over-the-counter decongestants when medicines with an older ingredient — pseudoephedrine — were moved behind pharmacy counters. A 2006 law had forced the move because pseudoephedrine can be illegally processed into methamphetamine.

If the FDA follows through on the panel's recommendations, Johnson & Johnson, Bayer and other drugmakers could be required to pull their oral medications containing phenylephrine from store shelves. That would likely force consumers to switch to the behind-the-counter pseudoephedrine products or to phenylephrine-based nasal sprays and drops.

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[–] marshadow@beehaw.org 48 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Glad to finally have official recognition of what I’ve known for 17 years. (But was always told “of course it works, they wouldn’t be allowed to sell it if it didn’t work” with bonus implication that I was trying to be special/unique by finding it useless.)

[–] roofuskit@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago

Yup, I've always had to buy the old stuff from behind the counter as the new stuff never worked.

[–] Gnugit@aussie.zone 4 points 1 year ago

I used it once then forever requested literally "anything else that doesn't contain that placebo".

[–] furrowsofar@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Actually the nasal spray version works great. So they are idiots if they are talking about that. I use it all the time. Hope they do not discontinue that.

[–] Domiku@beehaw.org 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

According to the article, they’re only discussing the oral medication. Apparently the metabolism process means that almost no phenylephrine gets into the bloodstream when taking orally.

[–] furrowsofar@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Thanks. I did not see that in the article. The NYT article that someone else posted was more explicit. So I think you are correct. Hate to loose the nose spray version.

[–] cobra89@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

From the article:

But FDA reviewers said their latest assessment reflects new testing insights into how quickly phenylephrine is metabolized when taken by mouth, leaving only trace levels that reach nasal passages to relieve congestion. The drug appears more effective when applied directly to the nose, in sprays or drops, and those products are not under review.

[–] Domiku@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah agreed. For oral meds, I always ask for the real pseudoephedrine behind the counter.

[–] furrowsofar@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

Yes, for oral pseudoephedrine works. Not sure why people just do not ask.

The thing about pseudoephedrine, it does not agree with me at prescription strength (not sure I ever had a problem with over the counter version). One time years ago I took prescription strength, if affect my eye muscles, just couldn't focus. Kind of freaked me out, so I avoid. Just me.

[–] cobra89@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago

My mom who was a nurse for 40 years has said the same thing for the past 15+ years or whenever they made the switch here in the US.