If you’re reaching for your usual cold or allergy medication, you may want to double-check the label. The FDA has proposed removing oral phenylephrine, a common ingredient in many over-the-counter products like NyQuil, Benadryl, and Sudafed PE after research spanning nearly two decades suggests it’s no better than a placebo for relieving nasal congestion. Some pharmacies are already pulling these products from their shelves.
The push to reassess phenylephrine’s effectiveness comes from researchers at the University of Florida, who have long questioned its value. Dr. Randy Hatton, a professor at the university’s College of Pharmacy, explained that studies consistently show the ingredient doesn’t actually work to relieve congestion.
“For 20 years, we have been telling everyone who will listen that oral phenylephrine doesn’t work,” said Dr. Randy Hatton, a University of Florida College of Pharmacy professor. “We have been teaching pharmacy students that it doesn’t work. We hear from pharmacists who know it doesn’t work. And we actually did something about it.”
🚨#BREAKING: FDA PULLS COLD AND FLU MEDS OFF SHELVES
⚠️ “All of this stuff has been on the shelves since 1976.”
⚠️ “The FDA is now saying it never did work??”
⚠️”It NEVER did work.”
⚠️”You want to be a label reader.”
What else is the FDA lying about? pic.twitter.com/7MeMTOJVN4
— HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) November 17, 2024
Hatton, alongside fellow professor Dr. Leslie Hendeles, repeatedly brought their findings to the FDA. In 2023, the agency finally convened a committee to review the evidence and is now considering a proposed order to remove these products. While the public has six months to comment before the FDA makes its final decision, some pharmacies like CVS have already stopped selling medications containing phenylephrine. Others, including Walgreens and Rite Aid, continue to stock them but say they are monitoring the situation.
The news leaves millions of congestion sufferers wondering what to use instead. Dr. Hatton noted that alternatives are still available, including nasal sprays and other medications that directly target nasal passages. These options can provide effective relief, though some need to be used sparingly to avoid complications like rebound congestion. Pharmacists, he said, are trained to guide consumers toward effective remedies, encouraging people to ask questions before making a purchase.
DRUGS: Remember, the FDA approved cold and flu medications they knew didn’t work for 50 years. It is time for MAJOR reform at HHS – @RobertKennedyJr is exactly who we need to fix this nightmare. pic.twitter.com/UtxZ8mPlVS
— @amuse (@amuse) November 18, 2024
The controversy surrounding phenylephrine reflects broader concerns about ensuring over-the-counter medications meet consumers’ needs. While its removal may inconvenience some, experts emphasize that effective treatments are still accessible—and that this move could ultimately push consumers toward options that truly work.
