FDA Proposes Removal of Oral Phenylephrine from Sudafed, Benadryl

Nov 7, 2024, 04:03 PM

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed to remove oral phenylephrine, an active ingredient widely used in cold and cough syrups, from over-the-counter drugs for nasal congestion. This decision, announced on Thursday, follows the FDA's review of available data and the advisory committee's recommendation, which concluded that oral phenylephrine is not effective as a nasal decongestant. The proposal will affect popular medications such as Sudafed and Benadryl, which contain phenylephrine, and may lead to their removal from pharmacy shelves. The FDA's role is to ensure that drugs are safe and effective, and this step is part of their ongoing efforts to uphold these standards.