Bad news as cold season approaches Flu and colds in the population.Some pharmacies voluntarily withdraw some drugs phenylephrine medication One of its ingredients is used to treat the common cold. what happen?
It all started with an investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which reviewed Effectiveness of oral phenylephrine as an active ingredient in over-the-counter cough and cold products, which is indicated to temporarily relieve congestion. The analysis is based on validating single ingredient products as well as combinations with other ingredients.
What is phenylephrine and what are its uses?
this phenylephrine It is a widely used component Relieves nasal discomfort caused by colds, allergies and hay fever. In this sense, its management purpose is Reduce congestion and sinus pressure. Its function is to reduce inflammation of the blood vessels in the nasal passages.
According to Medine Plus, although phenylephrine Relieve symptoms without treating the cause its uses and Nor will recovery be accelerated.
Why are oral phenylephrine medications being pulled from pharmacies?
After analysis, the FDA concluded: Oral phenylephrine is not effective in treating cold and flu symptoms. Specifically, the advisory committee stated that current scientific data do not support the effectiveness of oral phenylephrine at recommended doses as a nasal decongestant.
However, neither the FDA nor the committee expressed safety concerns about the use of oral phenylephrine. Even so, CVS drug store chain is recalling drugs Obviously misled the people.
Whether it will remain an over-the-counter product remains to be determined, which will require a process and a more detailed review of phenylephrine’s effectiveness. In these cases, the FDA will work with the manufacturer to reformulate the product as needed to help ensure a safe and effective product is available to treat cold or allergy symptoms.
So cold medicine has no effect?
FDA made it clear Products that failed efficacy testing were those containing oral phenylephrine as their only active ingredient. However, those who are grouped together do not seem to be the focus of attention.
also, nasal spray Products containing phenylephrine in their formulations are not affected by the FDA’s findings. This means the spray is considered effective.
What flu medications does the FDA recommend?
There are a range of products on the market that can temporarily relieve congestion symptoms caused by allergies or the common cold.Some alternatives are those In addition to phenylephrine, they also contain another active ingredient, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.which can treat symptoms other than congestion, such as headaches or muscle aches.
Consumer recommendations Read drug information labels to determine what ingredients are included, as well as important warnings and instructions for use.
Why is autumn the season with the most flu cases?
Fall is a time of year when flu cases increase significantly due to a number of factors, such as:
- Temperature drop,
- Crowds of people in enclosed spaces
- and the spread of the virus.
This season is a critical time for cold and flu medication sales, so recalling phenylephrine medications is especially important.
The move to remove oral medications containing phenylephrine from shelves could have a significant impact on pharmacy chains, as cold and flu season is a critical time for sales of these products.