www.aarp.org Open in urlscan Pro
18.164.96.48  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

<form class="aarp-c-microform__form aarp-c-microform__form@mobile  aarp-c-microform__form@tablet" onsubmit="return false">
  <button type="submit"
    class="aarp-c-microform--submit-button aarp-c-microform-basic--submit-button  aarp-c-microform--submit-search-icon aarp-c-microform--submit-button@mobile aarp-c-microform--submit-button@tablet aarp-c-microform__subscribe uxdia-c-button uxdia-c-button--primary"
    data-formelementid="NAW-NEWSLT-BTN_CLK-SUBSCRIBE-EN," data-modal-id="1057499338" aria-label="Subscribe">Subscribe</button>
</form>

<form class="aarp-c-microform__form aarp-c-microform__form@mobile  aarp-c-microform__form@tablet" onsubmit="return false">
  <button type="submit"
    class="aarp-c-microform--submit-button aarp-c-microform-basic--submit-button  aarp-c-microform--submit-search-icon aarp-c-microform--submit-button@mobile aarp-c-microform--submit-button@tablet aarp-c-microform__subscribe uxdia-c-button uxdia-c-button--primary"
    data-formelementid="NAW-NEWSLT-BTN_CLK-SUBSCRIBE-HEALTH-EN,NAW-NEWSLT-BTN_CLK-POLITICS-HEALTH-EN" data-modal-id="1240069326" aria-label="Subscribe">Subscribe</button>
</form>

Text Content

Skip to content

Take our Social Security quiz to test your knowledge of the retirement age, work
rules and more.

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 


 *  * Membership & Benefits

 *  * Members Edition

Rewards Star AARP Rewards

Help

Register

Login

Login



Content starts here
CLOSE ×
Search
Health
All Topics
Entertainment
Health
Money
Policy & Research
Travel
Work
Member Benefits
Caregiving
Rewards
Videos
{"dropDownLabel":"All
Topics","dropDownValue":"everywhere"},{"dropDownLabel":"Entertainment","dropDownValue":"entertainment"},{"dropDownLabel":"Health","dropDownValue":"health"},{"dropDownLabel":"Money","dropDownValue":"money"},{"dropDownLabel":"Policy
&
Research","dropDownValue":"research"},{"dropDownLabel":"Travel","dropDownValue":"travel"},{"dropDownLabel":"Work","dropDownValue":"work"},{"dropDownLabel":"Member
Benefits","dropDownValue":"member
benefits"},{"dropDownLabel":"Caregiving","dropDownValue":"caregiving"},{"dropDownLabel":"Rewards","dropDownValue":"rewards"},{"dropDownLabel":"Videos","dropDownValue":"videos"}

Search
Popular Searches

Games

Car rental

AARP daily Crossword Puzzle

Hotels with AARP discounts

Life Insurance

AARP Dental Insurance Plans

Travel

Suggested Links
Help Show me my account info Change my Address How do I contact AARP? Where is
my membership card? How do I get a digital card?

LAST CHANCE! JOIN AT 2024 RATES!

Membership rates going up in 2025

Join
Renew
CLOSE ×
Search
All Topics
All Topics
Entertainment
Health
Money
Policy & Research
Travel
Work
Member Benefits
Caregiving
Rewards
Videos
{"dropDownLabel":"All
Topics","dropDownValue":"everywhere"},{"dropDownLabel":"Entertainment","dropDownValue":"entertainment"},{"dropDownLabel":"Health","dropDownValue":"health"},{"dropDownLabel":"Money","dropDownValue":"money"},{"dropDownLabel":"Policy
&
Research","dropDownValue":"research"},{"dropDownLabel":"Travel","dropDownValue":"travel"},{"dropDownLabel":"Work","dropDownValue":"work"},{"dropDownLabel":"Member
Benefits","dropDownValue":"member
benefits"},{"dropDownLabel":"Caregiving","dropDownValue":"caregiving"},{"dropDownLabel":"Rewards","dropDownValue":"rewards"},{"dropDownLabel":"Videos","dropDownValue":"videos"}

Search
Popular Searches

Games

Car rental

AARP daily Crossword Puzzle

Hotels with AARP discounts

Life Insurance

AARP Dental Insurance Plans

Travel

Suggested Links
Help Show me my account info Change my Address How do I contact AARP? Where is
my membership card? How do I get a digital card?

LAST CHANCE! JOIN AT 2024 RATES!

Membership rates going up in 2025

Join
Renew
120x30-AARP-logo-red


 1.  right_container
 2.  Health
 3.  Money
 4.  Work & Jobs
 5.  Social Security
 6.  Medicare
 7.  Caregiving
 8.  Games
 9.  Travel
 10. More...

AARP en Español



 * AARP en Español
 * Membership & Benefits
 * Members Edition
 * AARP Rewards

 * AARP en Español
 * Membership & Benefits
 * Members Edition
 * AARP Rewards %{points}%

Back 

Health

Close Menu

Wellness

Conditions & Treatments

Drugs & Supplements

Health Care & Coverage

Health Benefits

AARP Hearing Center

Advice on Tinnitus and Hearing Loss



Your Health

What to Know About Vaccines



Brain Health Resources

Tools and Explainers on Brain Health


MEMBERS ONLY

Fitness

25 Ways to Get a Flatter Stomach

MEMBERS ONLY


Back 

Money

Close Menu

Scams & Fraud

Personal Finance

Taxes

Retirement

Money Benefits

Scams & Fraud

View and Report Scams in Your Area



AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

Free Tax Preparation Assistance



Retirement

AARP Retirement Calculator


MEMBERS ONLY

Your Money

25 Ways to Save at the Grocery Store

MEMBERS ONLY


Back 

Work & Jobs

Close Menu

Job Search

Careers

Small Business

Employers

Age Discrimination

Flexible Work

Freelance Jobs You Can Do From Home



AARP Skills Builder

Online Courses to Boost Your Career


MEMBERS ONLY

Careers

31 Great Ways to Boost Your Career

MEMBERS ONLY


ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Tips to Enhance Your Job Search



Back 

Social Security

Close Menu

Webinars

Get More out of Your Benefits



Enrollment

When to Start Taking Social Security



Basics

10 Top Social Security FAQs



Tools

Social Security Benefits Calculator



Back 

Medicare

Close Menu

Medicare Made Easy

Original vs. Medicare Advantage



Enrollment Guide

Step-by-Step Tool for First-Timers



Prescription Drugs

9 Biggest Changes Under New Rx Law



Medicare FAQs

Quick Answers to Your Top Questions



Back 

Caregiving

Close Menu

Basics

Care at Home

Medical

Financial & Legal

Life Balance

Local

LONG-TERM CARE

Understanding Basics of LTC Insurance



State Guides

Assistance and Services in Your Area



Prepare to Care Guides

How to Develop a Caregiving Plan



End of Life

How to Cope With Grief, Loss



Back 

Games

Close Menu

All

Recently Played

Word & Trivia

Rewards

Atari® & Retro

Mahjongg

Members Only

Staying Sharp

Solitare

Strategy

Arcade

Puzzles

Card

Juegos

Daily

Game Shows

More About Games

Right Again! Trivia



Right Again! Trivia – Sports



Atari® Video Games



Throwback Thursday Crossword



Back 

Travel

Close Menu

Travel Tips

Vacation Ideas

Destinations

Travel Benefits

MEMBERS ONLY

2025 destinations

Where to Vacation in 2025

MEMBERS ONLY


winter getaways

Budget-Friendly Destinations


MEMBERS ONLY

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

Discover the Top Island to Visit

MEMBERS ONLY


AARP National Park Guide

Travel to Canyonlands in Utah


 1. Entertainment & Style
 2. Family & Relationships
 3. Personal Tech
 4. Home & Living
 5. Auto
 6. Staying Sharp
 7. Podcasts
 8. Videos

Back 

Entertainment & Style

Close Menu

Movies

TV

Music

Celebrities

Beauty & Style

Books

TV for Grownups

Winter TV Preview



Celebrities

Samuel L. Jackson Keeps Keeping On


MEMBERS ONLY

Looking Back

‘The Tonight Show’ Quiz

MEMBERS ONLY


Back 

Family & Relationships

Close Menu

Sex & Dating

Your Questions Answered



Grandparenting

Everything You Need to Know


MEMBERS ONLY

Pets

Your Guide to Happy, Healthy Pets

MEMBERS ONLY


Back 

Personal Tech

Close Menu

Home Technology

Caregiver’s Guide to Smart Home Tech



Get Happier

Creating Social Connections



Virtual Community Center

Join Free Tech Help Events



Back 

Home & Living

Close Menu

MEMBERS ONLY

Age in Place

What You Need to Know

MEMBERS ONLY

MEMBERS ONLY

Recipes

José Andrés’ Fall Favorites

MEMBERS ONLY

MEMBERS ONLY

Your Budget

Dollar Store Do’s and Don’ts

MEMBERS ONLY


Back 

Auto

Close Menu

Car Buying

Driver Safety

Maintenance & Safety

Trends & Technology

MEMBERS ONLY

AARP Smart Guide

How to Clean Your Car

MEMBERS ONLY


We Need To Talk

Assess Your Loved One's Driving Skills



Driver Safety

AARP Smart Driver Course



Back 

Staying Sharp

Close Menu

Assessment

Challenges

Articles

Videos

Recipes

Building Resilience in Difficult Times



Tips for Finding Your Calm



Weight Loss After 50 Challenge



Back 

Podcasts

Close Menu

Cautionary Tales of Today's Biggest Scams



7 Top Podcasts for Armchair Travelers


MEMBERS ONLY

Jean Chatzky: ‘Closing the Savings Gap’

MEMBERS ONLY


Back 

Videos

Close Menu

Quick Digest of Today's Top News



AARP Top Tips for Navigating Life



Get Moving With Our Workout Series



What to Know About Vaccines After 50
View Series
Brought to you by

Leaving AARP.org Website

You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by
AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.

Continue Cancel

Last chance to get 2024 rates

Join & Get a FREE GIFT!

 * Get a FREE gift!
 * Access exclusive discounts, programs, & services
 * Double-down with a FREE second membership
 * Get a subscription to AARP The Magazine
 * Earn 50% more points with AARP’s Loyalty Program

Access exclusive discounts, FREE second member, magazines, and rewards points.

Last call for this low membership rate!

$12

For your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Join Today Join & Claim Gift Join Today Join Today > Renew Now Renew Now >

What to Know About Vaccines After 50

Go to Series Main Page

Brought to you by


 * Why Older Adults Need a Second COVID Shot
   
   CDC issues new vaccine recommendations

 * Living With Long COVID and Its Debilitating Symptoms
   
   Plus, how to reduce your risk for the lingering condition

 * These Are the 8 Vaccines You Need After 50
   
   Are you up to date on all the recommended vaccines? 

 * Turning 50? Go Get A Shingles Vaccine
   
   It's extremely effective, preventing a super-unpleasant infection. So why
   don't more adults get it?

 * Do You Need the RSV Vaccine This Fall?
   
   The shot could help to keep you out of the hospital

 * Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines 
   
   Symptoms are no surprise to people fully vaccinated

 * 5 Reasons You Should Get a Pneumococcal Vaccine
   
   Updated recommendations call for adults 50 and older to get the shot
   
   
   

 * What to Know About This Year's Flu Shot
   
   It's time to start thinking about your fall vaccines

 * Can Getting Vaccinated Lower Dementia Risk?
   
   There’s growing evidence that getting your shots can lower dementia risk

 * What to Know About the Updated COVID Vaccines
   
   New shots have been approved and will be available soon

 * Decongestants That Don’t Actually Work
   
   Experts have deemed a common ingredient ineffective

 * 5 Things to Know About the XEC Variant
   
   Health experts have their eyes on a new strain of the coronavirus

 * Time for Your Tdap Booster
   
   With whooping cough (aka, pertussis) on the rise, make sure you’re up to date

 * How to Get — and Pay for — the COVID Vaccine
   
   People without insurance will face additional hurdles

 * Medications That Interact With the Flu Shot
   
   Some drugs can make the vaccine less effective

 * Government Reopens Free At-Home COVID Testing Program
   
   Households can order four tests from the federal government

 * Will Medicare Pay For My Flu Shot?
   
   No copayment, deductible needed for preventive benefit

 * 8 Medicine Cabinet Essentials for Cold and Flu Season
   
   Keep these items on hand to identify and treat troubling symptoms


Health


COMMON DECONGESTANTS THAT DON’T ACTUALLY WORK


AN INGREDIENT FOUND IN MANY COLD AND FLU PRODUCTS WON’T RELIEVE YOUR STUFFY
NOSE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By

Rachel Nania,

 
AARP

83 Comments
En español
Published September 18, 2023
/ Updated November 07, 2024
Tim Boyle / Getty Images
 * Facebook
 * Twitter
 * LinkedIn

With cold and flu season upon us, it’s time to take stock of what’s in the
medicine cabinet. This year, that process may involve not only getting rid of
any expired boxes and bottles but also rethinking certain remedies that never
worked in the first place. 




The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing that phenylephrine, a
common decongestant found in many over-the-counter cold medications, be removed
from these products. The proposal, issued Nov. 7, comes roughly a year after an
advisory panel of experts concluded the ingredient is ineffective at relieving
nasal congestion when taken by mouth. 

Members only


Entertainment

Subscribe to AARP's Lifestyle Newsletter

Every month, get the top entertainment stories, relationship advice, movie
reviews and online games

Members only



“It is the FDA’s role to ensure that drugs are safe and effective,” Patrizia
Cavazzoni, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research,
said in a statement. “Based on our review of available data, and consistent with
the advice of the advisory committee, we are taking this next step in the
process to propose removing oral phenylephrine because it is not effective as a
nasal decongestant.”



Phenylephrine is supposed to work by reducing swelling of the blood vessels in
the nasal passages, making it easier to breathe. But when taken orally, “it
basically becomes deactivated before it enters your bloodstream,” says Stefanie
Ferreri, a professor of pharmacy at the University of North Carolina Eshelman
School of Pharmacy. “It’s almost like a placebo, a sugar pill, when it’s taken
orally.”  



Experts stress that phenylephrine, which has been sold for decades, isn’t
dangerous, and it is still effective when used as a nasal spray or as drops to
dilate the eyes.



But it can be harmful to your wallet if you’re buying a pill that’s ineffective
to relieve congestion, Ferreri says. Products containing phenylephrine —
including those sold by big brands such as Tylenol, Advil, Sudafed and Mucinex —
generated nearly $1.8 billion in sales in 2022, according to data presented by
the advisory panel in 2023. 

COMMON DECONGESTANTS THAT WON’T WORK

Here are examples of oral medications that may help your headache or sore
throat, but they won’t relieve your stuffy nose.


 1. Advil Sinus Congestion & Pain
 2. Tylenol Cold + Head Congestion Severe
 3. Mucinex Sinus-Max Severe Congestion & Pain Relief
 4. Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion
 5. DayQuil Cold + Flu
 6. Sudafed PE
 7. Theraflu Severe Cold Relief Daytime
 8. Vicks Sinex Severe

This list is not exhaustive. Phenylephrine is found in a number of oral
over-the-counter products.


WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN’T FOR A STUFFY NOSE



Phenylephrine, sometimes labeled PE on packaging, is sold on its own but is
often found in combination products that contain ingredients meant to knock out
a range of symptoms that can accompany congestion — sore throat, fever, body
aches and so on.




Because of this, you may not want to toss out everything containing
phenylephrine, says Sarah Westberg, a professor at the University of Minnesota
College of Pharmacy. That box of cold and flu medication could help with your
other symptoms, it just won’t unclog your nose.




LAST CHANCE! JOIN AT 2024 RATES!

Membership rates going up in 2025

Join

Renew


ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT





If you’re looking for a decongestant that will work, there are options — just be
sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking one, especially if you
take other medications, experts stress. Nearly half of older adults take at
least five drugs daily.



Pseudoephedrine is an effective oral alternative, Westberg says. It’s available
without a prescription, but it’s not as easy to buy as phenylephrine since
pseudoephedrine can be used to illegally make methamphetamine, a stimulant that
can be highly addictive. It’s technically behind the counter, so you’ll need to
ask the pharmacist for a product containing pseudoephedrine and will only be
able to purchase a limited amount at one time. “You can still get enough to
treat your cough and cold,” Ferreri says.

Members only


Entertainment

AARP Streams App

Watch Movies for Grownups and AARP Theater for free on the app

Members only



Just know that pseudoephedrine can cause an increase in blood pressure, so it’s
important to talk to your doctor before taking it if you have high blood
pressure or heart disease. About 70 percent of adults 65 and older have high
blood pressure.



Another option: “Go straight to the source” and consider a nasal spray, Ferreri
says. A spray product containing phenylephrine will work fine when it comes to
relieving congestion, though this can similarly affect your blood pressure.
Saline nasal sprays that don’t contain medication can also provide relief.



“Consumers should know that a range of safe and effective drugs and other
treatments is available to temporarily relieve congestion symptoms due to
allergies or a common cold,” Theresa Michele, M.D., director of the FDA’s Office
of Nonprescription Drug Products, said in a statement. “Consumers can also talk
to their doctor or pharmacist about ways to treat these symptoms.”




THE DECONGESTANT AISLE COULD SHRINK



The FDA's order is just a proposal; only a final order will affect what products
can be marketed, the agency says.  



If the FDA removes phenylephrine from over-the-counter medications, it could
“have a big impact on the market,” Westberg says. “There are a lot of products
that will need to be reformulated.” (The FDA said it will give companies
“appropriate time” to do this.)



That’s not a bad thing, though, Ferreri says. “Right now, I think we have way
too many [options] on the market, and it’s almost confusing. You want to have
things on the market that are safe and effective, and [we need to] narrow it
down so you know what you’re buying is going to work,” she says.



Editor's note: This story, first published Sept. 18, 2023, has been updated with
new information. 


%{postComment}%

Rachel Nania is an award-winning health editor and writer at AARP.org, who
covers a range of topics including diseases and treatments. 


Discover AARP Members Only Access




Renew your membership



AARP NEWSLETTERS



Get the Your Health newsletter from AARP

Sign up for the latest health news, fitness and nutrition updates and more!

Subscribe
See All Newsletters

Privacy Policy

AARP NEWSLETTERS



Get the Your Health newsletter from AARP

Sign up for the latest health news, fitness and nutrition updates and more!

Subscribe
See All Newsletters

Privacy Policy



More on Health

Drugs Linked to Depression

More than 200 common medications could cause changes in mood



Can Supplements Help Lower Blood Sugar?

Although there is some interesting research, the science isn’t clear



7 Types of Medication That Cause Bloating

Feeling puffy, swollen and bloated? Give yourself a gut check


{ "maxItems":3, "itemsPerRow":"3", "rows":"4", "loadMore":"6", "adsNum":"0",
"resultsLength":"3" }




ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT



{ "articlePagePath"
:"/content/aarpe/en/home/health/drugs-supplements/info-2023/fda-says-common-decongestant-ineffective",
"aarpId" : "470cd209747723a9f9924b3ce32f7cbd" "customContainerId" : "" "limit" :
"5" "paginationLimit" : "5" "replyLimit" : "2" "paginationReplyLimit" : "5"
"sort" : "" "featuredTabActiveThreshold" : "5" }



BENEFITS RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

See All

Members only
Entertainment

AARP Members Edition™ Books

Gripping mysteries and novels by popular authors


Members only
Finances

Interview an Advisor™ Tool

A free resource to help you assess a financial advisor


Members only
Restaurants

Joe's Crab Shack®

10% off dine-in and to-go orders


Members only
Restaurants

Saltgrass Steak House®

10% off dine-in and to-go orders placed by phone



See All

Members only


HOT DEALS

SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS

See All Hot Deals

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how
they live as they age.

About Us

Donate
Volunteer

Membership

AARP Rewards
Advertise with AARP
Contact Us
Careers at AARP
AARP Services Inc.

Policy & Research

Newsletters

AARP In Your City

AARP En Español

AARP樂齡會

Press Center

AARP Foundation

Wish of a Lifetime

Senior Planet | OATS

AgeTech Collaborative™

Legal Counsel for the Elderly

 * Sitemap
 * Privacy Policy
 * Terms of Service
 * Accessibility Statement
 * AARP Rewards Terms & Conditions
 * Copyright Information
 * Vulnerability Disclosure Program
 * Ad Choices
 * Your Privacy Choices
 * Cobrowse

 * Facebook
 * Twitter
 * Instagram
 * LinkedIn






Last chance to get 2024 rates

Join & Get a FREE GIFT!

 * Get a FREE gift!
 * Access exclusive discounts, programs, & services
 * Double-down with a FREE second membership
 * Get a subscription to AARP The Magazine
 * Earn 50% more points with AARP’s Loyalty Program

Access exclusive discounts, FREE second member, magazines, and rewards points.

Last call for this low membership rate!

$12

For your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Join Today Join & Claim Gift Join Today Join Today > Renew Now Renew Now >
0