Government advisers say the leading decongestant used by millions of Americans to treat nasal congestion doesn't actually work. The Food and Drug Administration convened an expert panel to review the latest data on phenylephrine. That's found in over-the-counter versions of Sudafed, Dayquil and other cold medicines sold on pharmacy shelves. Drugmakers reformulated their pills and solutions with the ingredient after a 2006 law required an older drug to be moved behind the counter. But researchers have long questioned the ingredient's effectiveness. The FDA advisers say new studies show oral phenylephrine was no better than a placebo at relieving congestion.
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The FDA asked advisers to take another look at phenylephrine, which became the main drug in over-the-counter decongestants when medicines with an older ingredient were moved behind pharmacy counters.
The leading decongestant used by millions of people looking for relief from a stuffy nose is no better than a dummy pill, according to U.S. government experts who reviewed the latest research on the long-questioned drug ingredient.