FDA proposes pulling Sudafed and Benadryl from pharmacy shelves

FDA proposes pulling Sudafed and Benadryl from pharmacy shelves

 

I don't understand why Benadryl is included here as its main ingredient is NOT phenylephrine (supposedly a decongestant) - it is diphenhydramine HCl (an antihistamine and often used as a sleep aid in the US)

 

Phenylephrine was in use in 1938, although the wiki didn't say when it started being marketed for colds. That seriously slow testing of effectiveness makes me leery about all the other FDA-approved drugs on the market.

 

I think the problem is that if a drug gets over the counter approval nobody really cares whether it works or not. Most over the counter things you can buy do nothing - supplements, cosmetics, hair tonics ... Testing for drugs on prescription tends to be reliable, even if there are some dubious ones.

 

This link states the product is "Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion". That product does have 10% Phenylephrine.

I really hope it is not all Benadryl.

 

Ah! That makes more sense.
I too hope it isn't all Benadryl (and generics).



Here's another article the proposal. (there is an upcoming public comment period mentioned) https://arstechnica.com/health/2024...on-decongestant-for-being-completely-useless/

 

Aussie law firm sues pharma giant over bombshell drug claims

Aussie law firm sues pharma giant over bombshell drug claims

 

just in case it helpful to anyone - diphenhydramine is used in uk for sleep too, product name Nytol.
I find it helpful for occasional use.

2 types of Nytol - one is herbal & useless (imho)

 

One big problem with diphenhydramine is that long term use increases the risk of developing dementia.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog...l-linked-increased-dementia-risk-201501287667

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-long-term-benadryl-use-increase-dementia-risk/

About 15 years ago I read a post on a forum similar to this one in which the person writing was taking very regular doses of diphenhydramine and had kept it up for months. She found herself struggling to walk, so I knew it wasn't exactly benign.

I did take it for a while myself in normal doses but only when I was desperate to get some sleep. It made me feel awful within a couple of weeks the first time I tried it so I have done my best to completely avoid it.

Regarding sudafed and benadryl being declared "ineffective" in treating viral conditions/symptoms, I do wonder what the researchers were looking for in terms of effectiveness. I am not aware that there are any treatments that truly shorten a cold or flu or any similar viral condition. I do use cold and flu remedies when I think it is appropriate but it isn't because I believe they actually treat such conditions. I find that they are helpful in making me feel a little bit better or mildly more comfortable and they help me get to sleep a bit faster than I would without those products. Whenever I have had something viral I don't really expect anything else from such products but I would be rather dismayed if they were to disappear from sale because I want something to help make me feel more comfortable for a few hours or while I am trying to sleep.

 

Many years ago (20+) I used to use one of the sudafeds to reduce sinus pain - what I was under the impression sudafed was marketed for.

It was, out of everything in the UK that could be purchased over the counter, the only one that worked, for me.

Then, probably about 15 years ago, they changed the active ingredient, without bothering to mention it, and it no longer worked for me, at all.

So, I'm not surprised that the current version is ineffective, for sinus pain.

I am surprised that anyone, in authority, cares, as many, many, many, other OTC meds also do basically squat, or at least don't do what they say, and charge a heavy premium to do, more effectively, they claim, that other products.