The FDA’s shocking COLD MEDS confession

You don’t have time to feel STUFFED UP… or RUN DOWN with a COLD.

But even the healthiest folks come down with the occasional cold this time of year.

And millions reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicine to power through their day.

But a shocking admission from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may change your tune when it comes to the EFFECTIVENESS of those OTC meds…

Last month, an FDA advisory panel unanimously agreed on the UNTHINKABLE…

That a common decongestant ingredient used in many OTC cold medicines is INEFFECTIVE!

According to a report from The New York Times, the ingredient in question— phenylephrine—was deemed “useless” and “no better than a placebo.”

The report also prompted high-level members of the FDA advisory panel to flat out recommend going in another direction.

“I think we clearly have better options in the over-the-counter space to help our patients, and the studies do not support that this is an effective drug,” said Maria Coyle, the chairwoman of the panel and an associate professor of pharmacy at Ohio State University.

These are powerful words I never expected to hear from the FDA… especially regarding such common OTC cold meds.

In the meantime, don’t expect these meds to be shelved anytime in the near future.

It would still have to go through a larger vote before it would be shelved altogether. Plus, the advisory panel recommended consumers not panic or toss out all the drugs in their medicine cabinet.

Luckily, dealing with nagging cold symptoms doesn’t require any OTC meds.

Studies have found that supplementing with vitamin D, zinc, and even elderberry can improve your immune response and fight inflammation—which can help you feel better, FASTER.

To better cold prevention,

Cory Templeman
Senior Editor, eAlert

Sources:

Jewett, Christina & Rabin, Roni Caryn. “A Decongestant in Cold Medicines Doesn’t Work at All, an F.D.A. Panel Says.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/12/health/cold-medicine-decongestant-fda.html

Kubala, Jillian. The 15 Best Supplements to Boost Your Immune System Right Now. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/immune-boosting-supplements