If you feel suffocated, why not try NyQuil, Benadryl, or Sudafed PE?
Not so fast.
The Food and Drug Administration has proposed discontinuing the use of oral phenylephrine, a common ingredient in many cold and allergy medicines, and some pharmacies are already removing the popular product from their shelves. are.
Researchers in Florida have been studying the effectiveness of oral phenylephrine for 20 years. As far back as 2005, researchers at the University of Florida’s College of Pharmacy suspected that the compound was ineffective at relieving stuffy noses, despite its widespread use for that purpose. Researchers evaluated multiple studies conducted on oral phenylephrine and combined them in a meta-analysis. Researchers concluded that drugs containing this ingredient were no more effective than placebo pills for congested patients with colds and allergies.
“For 20 years, we’ve been telling everyone who will listen that oral phenylephrine doesn’t work,” he said. Dr. Randy HuttonProfessor, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida. “We’ve been teaching pharmacy students that it doesn’t work. We hear from pharmacists who know it doesn’t work. And we’re actually doing something about it. did.”
Mr. Hutton and a university professor, Dr. Leslie Hendereshas submitted research results to the FDA multiple times. Finally, in September 2023, the federal agency convened a committee and issued a proposed order.
“They looked at all the evidence we looked at and did a thorough evaluation of what we had seen over the years,” Hutton said.
The FDA is allowing the public to comment for the next six months before deciding whether to remove drugs containing oral phenylephrine from shelves. But some retail pharmacies won’t wait. Last year, CVS stopped selling products containing phenylephrine. Other major pharmacies, including Walgreens and Rite Aid, still stock products containing the drug but say they are monitoring the FDA’s actions.
So what are the options for people who are suffering from nasal congestion and don’t have reliable medication?
Hutton said nasal sprays containing phenylephrine are also an option.
“Phenylephrine in spray form causes nasal constriction, opening up the nasal passages,” he says. “However, only use the spray for three to five days; continued use can cause rebound congestion.”
Your doctor or pharmacist may recommend other options.
– Intranasal steroids such as Flonase or Nasonex, or over-the-counter nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline such as Afrin or Zicam
– A saline irrigation device like a neti pot to help flush out the sinuses (but only use distilled water, not tap water)
– Nasal saline sprays such as Sinex or Simply Saline. Salt water is also used to clean the sinuses.
—Products containing pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in Sudafed. You can find it behind the counter at a pharmacy.
-Oral antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Allegra, and Claritin to relieve nasal congestion associated with allergies
“If you have any questions, talk to your pharmacist. They’re trained in over-the-counter medications. Just ask, is this going to help with congestion?” Hutton advises.
People looking for non-medication options may want to try the following:
– Spicy foods cause a burning sensation due to a chemical called capsaicin, which can cause a runny nose that drains mucus from the sinuses.
— Steam from a hot shower or applying a warm compress to your nose
—humidifier
