FDA Says Popular , Nasal Decongestant , Not Effective Treatment For Congestion.<br />Associated Press reports that government experts <br />found that the number one decongestant in <br />the United States does not alleviate a stuffy nose. .<br />Associated Press reports that government experts <br />found that the number one decongestant in <br />the United States does not alleviate a stuffy nose. .<br />On September 12, advisers for the Food and <br />Drug Administration voted unanimously <br />against the effectiveness of phenylephrine.<br />Phenylephrine is found in a number <br />of popular over-the-counter products, <br />including Sudafed, Allegra and Dayquil.<br />Modern studies, <br />when well conducted, <br />are not showing any improvement <br />in congestion with phenylephrine, Dr. Mark Dykewicz, Allergy specialist at the Saint Louis <br />University School of Medicine, via Associated Press.<br />AP reports that a team of outside advisers <br />were assembled by the FDA to take a closer <br />look at the effectiveness of phenylephrine.<br />Phenylephrine became the key ingredient in decongestants in 2006, when pseudoephedrine <br />was ordered to be moved behind pharmacy counters.<br />Phenylephrine became the key ingredient in decongestants in 2006, when pseudoephedrine <br />was ordered to be moved behind pharmacy counters.<br />The change came after a 2006 law called <br />for the change, as pseudoephedrine can <br />be used to produce methamphetamine. .<br />The change came after a 2006 law called <br />for the change, as pseudoephedrine can <br />be used to produce methamphetamine. .<br />AP reports that pending the FDA's decision, <br />drugmakers like Johnson & Johnson and Bayer could <br />be ordered to pull oral medications with phenylephrine. .<br />AP reports that pending the FDA's decision, <br />drugmakers like Johnson & Johnson and Bayer could <br />be ordered to pull oral medications with phenylephrine. .<br />According to the FDA's panel of experts, <br />consumers would need to be educated on <br />remaining options for treating congestion.<br />Patients require and deserve <br />medications that treat their <br />symptoms safely and effectively <br />and I don’t believe that <br />this medication does that, Jennifer Schwartzott, the patient representative <br />on the FDA panel, via Associated Press
