If you’ve ever trekked to your local pharmacy to treat a stuffy nose, it’s likely you were disturbed by an FDA panel’s conclusion that a key ingredient in over-the-counter oral cold medications works no better than a placebo.
The government advisers voted unanimously Tuesday against the effectiveness of phenylephrine, the key ingredient in Sudafed PE, Vicks Nyquil Severe, Vicks Sinex Severe and other popular cold medicines.
Mansoor Amiji, Northeastern distinguished professor in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, talked to Northeastern Global News about what medications to use instead.
He also explained how the ineffective decongestants remained on the shelves for so long.
