Summary
The FDA has proposed phasing out oral phenylephrine, a common decongestant in cold medicines like Sudafed PE and DayQuil, after studies showed it is no more effective than a placebo.
The drug, ineffective when swallowed due to breakdown in the stomach, remains usable in nasal sprays.
Alternatives include pseudoephedrine, nasal sprays, and steroid treatments like Flonase.
The regulatory process to remove phenylephrine could take over a year, but experts argue removing ineffective options will help consumers choose better remedies for congestion. Drugmakers are expected to challenge the proposal.
In my experience, it does more harm than good.
I’ve been able to use it when thinfs are really bad for just one or two days but then I have to stop
Try (the generic versions of) 4-Way. Oral phenylephrine doesn’t work at all, but nasal PE is about as good as oxymetazoline, with much, much less rebound congestion.