Decongestant ingredient in popular products does not work, FDA concludes

[helvella]

There have long been questions about those with thyroid issues taking phenylephrine, in any form. Including used by ophthalmologists during operations.

The latest news suggests not being able to take phenylephrine might not make much, if any, difference!

Note: The brand names mentioned might well contain phenylephrine in some products, in some markets. But you need to expressly check the product/market and the explicit list of ingredients for each product you consider. Seemingly identical products sometimes have different ingredients.

Decongestant ingredient in popular products does not work, FDA concludes

Advisory panel reviewed studies of phenylephrine, an active ingredient in Benadryl, Mucinex, Sudafed PE and Tylenol

theguardian.com/us-news/202...

Sorry, I have no suggestions as to what else to use!

[humanbean]

Another article on the same news :

gizmodo.com/phenylephrine-f...

I must admit I have never found decongestants of any use whatsoever. I also get no benefit from cold and flu remedies.

The best I am likely to get is a better night's sleep with the likes of Benylin and Night Nurse, but the taste of both is absolutely vile. And then I wake up with what feels like the worst hangover I've ever had.

So, usually I stick with Lemsip powders, even though I don't have a high opinion of those either.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to humanbean]

Last time I was truly congested, I used co-codamol.

The codeine dries us up.

Absolutely the wrong thing to use and very much not recommended. Especially as many do not tolerate such medicines at all well.

[humanbean in reply to helvella]

Is co-codamol available over the counter? I thought it was prescription only.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to humanbean]

2. Key facts

Co-codamol tablets and capsules come in 3 strengths. You can buy the lowest strength co-codamol from pharmacies but the higher strengths are only available on prescription.

nhs.uk/medicines/co-codamol...

I happen to have a pack of it in my kitchen but have not taken any in about 18 months! Can't even remember what dosage - it is branded Zapain so I think it must be highest strength:

Zapain 30mg/500mg Tablets

[humanbean in reply to helvella]

I had a few max strength codeine tablets left over that were dispensed after surgery a few years ago. I used them all up during my first bout of Covid because they really did make a difference to how I felt.