FDA to pull common but ineffective cold medicine from market

The FDA announced plans to remove a common ingredient in cough and cold medicines, oral phenylephrine, from the market due to its ineffectiveness as a nasal decongestant. This decision follows concerns raised by the agency’s advisers about the initial data supporting the ingredient’s approval. Many over-the-counter medications, including Advil, NyQuil, and Sudafed, contain phenylephrine. The FDA is seeking public input on the proposal, with potential removal of the ingredient if finalized. Some industry groups disagree with the FDA’s decision, arguing that consumers should have the option to choose products with oral phenylephrine. Recent scientific reviews have shown that oral phenylephrine is not absorbed effectively and lacks clinical evidence of effectiveness as a nasal decongestant.