Some Cold and Allergy Meds Don't Work, But That Might Change

Cold and flu season is upon us and Americans will be flocking to pharmacy shelves to pick up some medicine to alleviate their symptoms. But the ingredients list on many of these products might start to look very different based on new guidance from the Food and Drug Administration. 

On Nov. 7, the FDA issued a proposed order to remove the oral phenylephrine as an active ingredient in over-the-counter products designed for nasal congestion relief. The move comes more than a year after a committee first recommended doing so and is based on the latest review of data that determined oral phenylephrine is not effective for use as a decongestant. 

"It is the FDA’s role to ensure that drugs are safe and effective," FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) director Patrizia Cavazzoni said. "Based on our review of available data, and consistent with the advice of the advisory committee, we are taking this next step in the process to propose removing oral phenylephrine because it is not effective as a nasal decongestant."

The order was made out of effectiveness concerns and not for safety. While some cold and allergy medicines contain other active ingredients like acetaminophen and dextromethorphan, some only contain oral phenylephrine as its single active ingredient. 

"Consumers should know that a range of safe and effective drugs and other treatments is available to temporarily relieve congestion symptoms due to allergies or a common cold,” CDER Office of Nonprescription Drug Products director Theresa Michele said. "Consumers can also talk to their doctor or pharmacist about ways to treat these symptoms."

Make sure you shop smart at the pharmacy this fall if you want to beat back that stuffy nose.