The US Food and Drug Administration has put forth a proposal to eliminate oral phenylephrine, a common ingredient in various over-the-counter decongestants, due to evidence suggesting its lack of efficacy.
Phenylephrine, present in popular products like Sudafed PE, Vicks DayQuil, and Mucinex Sinus-Max, has been a staple nasal decongestant for many years. The FDA's proposal initiates a six-month public comment period before a final decision is made regarding its removal from shelves. CVS took a proactive stance last year by discontinuing the sale of phenylephrine-containing products following an FDA advisory committee's declaration of its ineffectiveness. However, other major pharmacies such as Walgreens and Rite Aid continue to offer products with phenylephrine for the time being.
