Why Is Oral Phenylephrine on the Market After Compelling Evidence of Its Ineffectiveness as a Decongestant?. Issue 11 (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hatton, Randy C.; Hendeles, Leslie
• Is Part Of: Annals of pharmacotherapy. Volume 56:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: 1275
• Page End: 1278
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: phenylephrine -- decongestants -- OTC drugs -- OTC monographs -- Food and Drug Administration; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.5805
• DOI: 10.1177/10600280221081526
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1060-0280

Abstract

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.