The FDA’s advisory panel has unanimously voted that oral doses of phenylephrine, a common ingredient in over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines like Sudafed, are ineffective at treating nasal congestion. This decision could potentially lead to the removal of phenylephrine-containing medicines from drug store shelves. However, the safety of these products is not in question. The FDA’s decision does not apply to phenylephrine-containing nasal sprays, which have shown some efficacy.
