Summary

The FDA has proposed removing oral phenylephrine, a common ingredient in over-the-counter cold medicines like NyQuil and Sudafed, due to evidence that it is ineffective as a nasal decongestant.

The proposal follows a unanimous vote by FDA advisers last year, and recent studies showing less than 1% of the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream when taken orally.

The public comment period ends on May 7, after which the FDA may finalize the ban.

  • Corkyskog
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    7 hours ago

    I have been railing about how this shit doesn’t work for what feels like forever.

    The entire cold/cough aisle is essentially a scam. Pick up some generic diphenhydramine, APAP, ibuP, and some Pseduophedrine. It will cheap as dirt and do all the things that overpriced shit will do. Anything else that actually helps with a cold/cough is prescription only.

    • chiliedogg@lemmy.world
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      4 hours ago

      Pseudoephedrine can’t legally be sold in the aisles, and requires you to get out from the pharmacist’s counter and provide an ID.

      That’s why they push the aid that doesn’t work. It can be sold at a gas station and after hours.