A new meta-analysis conducted by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) shows that phenylephrine, a popular decongestant in OTC cold and allergy remedies, is effective at relieving nasal congestion. The results confirm the assertion by the FDA on the efficacy of phenylephrine at a 10-mg dose. Commenting on the study, Linda Suydam, CHPA president, said, "Phenylephrine has been relieving people's congestion for decades, and this meta-analysis reaffirms that. The FDA has ruled that phenylephrine is safe and effective based on its own thorough review; we now add this critical meta-analysis to its files to further support that ruling." The meta-analysis refutes the contention that phenylephrine in its 10-mg dose does not provide effective nasal decongestion. Last July, a Florida pharmacist made that assertion in a letter to the editor of a medical journal. He since has called on the FDA to raise the standard dose to 25 mg and require further studies of the higher dose's safety and efficacy.
To see more Hot off the Press news articles, click here.
To go to the Drug Topics homepage, click here.
FDA Expands Tenofovir Alafenamide Indication to Treat HBV in Patients as Young as 6
March 28th 2024Tenofovir alafenamide was originally approved by the FDA in 2016 to treat adults with chronic HBV infection with compensated liver disease and in 2022 to treat pediatric patients aged 12 years and older.
Examining Trends in Long-Term Opioid Use, Importance of Pharmacist-Physician Collaboration
March 27th 2024At APhA 2024, 2 posters looked into how collaboration between physicians and community pharmacists is crucial when it comes to opioid prescriptions, and current opioid use patterns among older adults.