Theraflu

2022: Drug called useless

At the end of December 2022, it became known that medical representatives appealed to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with a request to ban the sale of Benadryl, Mucinex, Theraflu and Tylenol drugs.

Reportedly, the antihistamine Benadryl, the antioxidant Mucinex, the flu and cold powder Theraflu, and the antipyretic Tylenol contain a substance called phenylephrine. It is used primarily to relieve nasal congestion. Phenylephrine has been confirmed to be safe, so the substance is widely used in over-the-counter drugs.

Cold and flu drug Theraflu

However, several new studies at once suggest that phenylephrine does not actually eliminate nasal congestion, as drug manufacturers say. Moreover, some people who take medication with this substance may experience undesirable side effects: headache, nausea, insomnia, high blood pressure, etc. However, it is emphasized that the studies conducted did not show that over-the-counter drugs containing phenylephrine caused any harm to health - they simply do not act as a means of relieving nasal congestion. Thus, as noted, such drugs are actually useless.

Johnson and Johnson, which supplies Tylenol and Benadryl, said phenylephrine is a "well-established decongestant" recognized by the FDA as safe and effective at certain doses.

As with all of our products, we will continue to evaluate the latest scientific evidence, product safety profile and information from regulators about phenylefrin, Johnson and Johnson officials said.[1]

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