A Decongestant Debate That Won't Clear Up

A Decongestant Debate That Won't Clear Up(undark.org)

12 points by onychomys 3 days ago | 7 comments

dpark 3 days ago |

Is there any debate? Phenylephrine doesn’t work. This is pretty widely documented at this point. Manufacturers shoved it into formulas because the thing that did work could no longer be left on the shelf for consumers to grab.

It’s unfortunate that this stuff remains on shelves and people are taking ineffective (but not side effect free) medications.

pogue 3 days ago | |

There should be a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers of this stuff that have been defrauding us by claiming it works since ephedrine and pseudoephedrine was banned in 2005. They include it in countless formulas, like daytime cold and flu and so on and so forth.

Phenylephrine does, however, work when sprayed directly in the nasal passages, but like it's counterpart, Afrin (oxymetazoline hcl), it's addictive and only works for 4 hours.

dragonwriter 2 days ago | | |

> There should be a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers of this stuff

There is, though it was completely thrown out by the trial court and recently only partially revived on appeal.

https://www.courthousenews.com/decongestant-class-action-spu...

butvacuum 2 days ago | | |

they're not banned- they're just behind the counter.

k310 3 days ago |

> Experts say the decongestant in Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) doesn’t work, and the relevant data is limited. Yet it remains on the market.

Been there, done that. Sudafed PE is not even a decent placebo.

Ask for (generic) Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) behind the counter. You'll have to show ID, because people use it to make meth, and it's limited. Use within recommendations and NEVER mix with alcohol.

cameronh90 3 days ago | |

NHS say you can drink alcohol with pseudoephedrine.

k310 3 days ago | | |

We all have different reactions. I personally seem to get headaches from alcohol, which saves me money and trouble, and restrict it to at most a little with dinner. So that may be true.

Two experiences that I recall. Statistically insignificant, but I am very risk-averse.

And can live quite well without the alcohol on "those days"