The FDA proposes removing Benadryl and Sudafed from pharmacy shelves after discovering drugs are useless against colds

The FDA wants to pull cold and flu medications from drugstore shelves after research showed the main ingredient was useless in treating the viruses.

The agency on Thursday proposed discontinuing the use of phenylephrine, an ingredient in common medications such as Sudafed and Benadryl, because it is “ineffective” in treating or relieving virus symptoms such as a stuffy nose.

The key ingredient in a wide variety of over-the-counter oral decongestants has been thought to be ineffective for years, and in March 2023, the FDA began reviewing the use of phenylephrine after a meta-analysis found it was no more effective than a placebo. .

When phenylephrine is metabolized in the intestines, it cannot reach the bloodstream in sufficient amounts, rendering it useless in providing relief.

Phenylephrine is the main active ingredient in common over-the-counter cold medications, such as Sudafed

This is only a ‘proposed order’ and will have no immediate impact.