Why Is Oral Phenylephrine on the Market After Compelling Evidence of Its Ineffectiveness as a Decongestant?

Ineffective over-the-counter (OTC) drugs should be removed from the US market. Despite solid research showing that oral phenylephrine is ineffective as a decongestant, the US Food and Drug Administration has failed to respond to a 2015 citizen’s petition to remove it from the OTC nasal decongestant...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Annals of pharmacotherapy 2022-11, Vol.56 (11), p.1275-1278
Main Authors: Hatton, Randy C., Hendeles, Leslie
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Ineffective over-the-counter (OTC) drugs should be removed from the US market. Despite solid research showing that oral phenylephrine is ineffective as a decongestant, the US Food and Drug Administration has failed to respond to a 2015 citizen’s petition to remove it from the OTC nasal decongestant monograph. Other examples of scientifically proven ineffective OTC medications include guaifenesin as an expectorant, dextromethorphan as a cough suppressant, and chlorpheniramine for cold symptoms.
ISSN:1060-0280
1542-6270
DOI:10.1177/10600280221081526