# Is phelyphrine a scam? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 7, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356 "2013-01-07T16:28:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/1 "2013-01-07T16:28:20Z")
I tried some, having been a bit careless as to which sudafed I was buying, and it just gave me a headache. No decongestant value like you get with psuedphedrine at all. Now I look it up on the internet and it appears that the scientific backing for it is mixed at best, and the better quality studies seem to show it being no better than a placebo. What’s the straight dope? (Note that pseudophedrine has nothing like the controls over here that I understand it does in the US - I’ve a feeling you can only buy one packet at the time, but heck that applies to paracetamol) ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/2 "2013-01-07T16:37:04Z")
I’ve tried both and pseudephrine is by far superior. My impression of the OTC sudafed was that it was equivalent to a couple of aspirin and some caffeine pills. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/3 "2013-01-08T05:14:48Z")
I’m going to assume that you mean phenylephrine. Yes, it’s an effective decongestant, though not as effective in most people as pseudoephedrine. In some people, it’s not so effective, and in some people it causes horrid side effects. The same is true of pseudoephedrine. What I miss is phenylpropanolamine, which used to open my sinuses without making me bounce off the walls like Sudafed. Unfortunately, it was banned (c’mon, FDA! Who wouldn’t rather have a stroke than a sinus headache?) ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/4 "2013-01-08T05:19:55Z")
It’s basically worthless. > **[MJH Life Sciences® | Informing Healthcare Professionals](https://www.mjhlifesciences.com/)** > > Dedicated to providing health care professionals with the trusted information, resources and education they need to optimize patient outcomes and improve care. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/5 "2013-01-08T05:38:28Z")
phenylephrine doesn’t work for me and I haven’t met anybody personally who found it as effective as Sudafed. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/6 "2013-01-08T13:57:19Z")
See my comments in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=550960). Basically it doesn’t work as well as pseudoephedrine. Not that pseudoephedrine works all that hot either. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/7 "2013-01-08T14:16:24Z")
For what it’s worth: Barb and I have lived together in a wide variety of residences across two states over the last 35+ years, with any rhinovirtuses vve been exposed to being effectively community property. For neither of us has either drug been the sinus/congestion reliever of choice, but… For me phenylephrine is about 80-90% as effective as pseudoephedrine; for her it is nearly useless. I’ve concluded that for us at least it’s a case of individual physiologixcal reaction trumping the accepted wisdom. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/8 "2013-01-08T19:22:13Z")
Doesn’t do a thing for me. Pseudo works okay by comparison, but I don’t like the methy creeping-stomach feeling or being subjected to disapproving glares and a cavity search when I have to ask the pharmacist for a tiny box of it once every year or two. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/9 "2013-01-09T00:52:41Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > See my comments in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=550960). > > Basically it doesn’t work as well as pseudoephedrine. Not that pseudoephedrine works all that hot either. This is not an argument but Sudafed is a godsend for me. I remember the first time I took it 30 some years ago. I had a terrible sinus headache that was destined to turn into a migraine. Not only does it work as intended it also relaxes the muscles in the back of my neck which is stage 2 (tension headache) of a migraine. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/10 "2013-01-09T01:18:40Z")
It seems to be basically a scam to me. In a post by Qadgop the Mercotan in a thread liked in the thread he linked in port 6 he says > [@](#): > > Compare phenylephrine: Not such a ringing endorsement as for pseudoephedrine. > > > [@](#): > > > > Nasal congestion, Oral formulation > > > > FDA Approval: Adult, yes; Pediatric, yes > > > > Efficacy: Adult, Evidence is inconclusive; Pediatric, Ineffective > > > > Recommendation: Adult, Class IIb; Pediatric, Class III > > > > Strength of Evidence: Adult, Category B; Pediatric, Category B > > > > Summary: > > > > Meta-analysis of 7 studies involving 113 adult patients, demonstrated that oral phenylephrine had some efficacy over placebo for the treatment of nasal congestion; however, only 4 of the 8 studies re-analyzed had shown efficacy (Kollar et al, 2007) > > > > Overall evidence demonstrated that oral phenylephrine was no different than placebo for the treatment of nasal congestion (Hatton et al, 2007); however, topical nasal decongestants are a viable option (Hendeles & Hatton, 2006) > > Definition of Class IIb: Recommended, In Some Cases The treatment may be useful, and is indicated in some, but not most, cases. > > > > Definition of Class III: Not Recommended The treatment is not useful, and should be avoided. > > > > Definition of Category B: Category B evidence is based on data derived from: Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials with conflicting conclusions with regard to the directions and degrees of results between individual studies. Randomized controlled trials that involved small numbers of patients or had significant methodological flaws (e.g., bias, drop-out rate, flawed analysis, etc.). Nonrandomized studies (e.g., cohort studies, case-control studies, observational studies). > > MICROMEDEX® 1.0 DRUGDEX® Evaluations PHENYLEPHRINE [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12083620&postcount=9](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12083620&postcount=9) ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/11 "2013-01-09T02:25:48Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > This is not an argument but Sudafed is a godsend for me. I remember the first time I took it 30 some years ago. I had a terrible sinus headache that was destined to turn into a migraine. Not only does it work as intended it also relaxes the muscles in the back of my neck which is stage 2 (tension headache) of a migraine. That’s funny, because this thread got me thinking that the next time I get a cold/congested I might be tempted to try this “ineffective” stuff people seem to hate. Why? Because the first and last time I ever took Sudafed, it decongested me all right, it also completely dried out all of my sinuses and throat to the point where I was praying for my sweet, sweet lubricating congestion back! Every breath, swallow, and especially sneezes and coughs, _seriously_ fucking hurt! I was pretty much glued to a vaporizer for days, and the only thing coming out was the occasional blood. The word Sudafed still makes me want to declare jihad! After that, I never again took anything for colds. Luckily, I haven’t had a cold in well over a decade, which I suspect is due to whatever caused my overactive immune system/psoriasis. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/12 "2013-01-09T03:12:16Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > That’s funny, because this thread got me thinking that the next time I get a cold/congested I might be tempted to try this “ineffective” stuff people seem to hate. > > Why? Because the first and last time I ever took Sudafed, it decongested me all right, it also completely dried out all of my sinuses and throat to the point where I was praying for my sweet, sweet lubricating congestion back! Every breath, swallow, and especially sneezes and coughs, _seriously_ fucking hurt! I was pretty much glued to a vaporizer for days, and the only thing coming out was the occasional blood. The word Sudafed still makes me want to declare jihad! > > After that, I never again took anything for colds. Luckily, I haven’t had a cold in well over a decade, which I suspect is due to whatever caused my overactive immune system/psoriasis. I wish I had your luck with it. I’d cut the dosage in half with a pill cutter. I’ve found myself using nose spray to back it up in an emergency. I just can’t handle migraines. Haven’t had one in maybe 10 years and want to keep it that way. But you are surely a candidate for the “other stuff”. ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/13 "2013-01-09T03:43:27Z")
If you are against headaches then I’d be careful with this - I basically never have headaches but had it with this thing. Admittedly I took four times the recommended dose (48mg) but that was cause it wasn’t doing anything. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/14 "2013-01-09T03:56:47Z")
> [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > If you are against headaches then I’d be careful with this - I basically never have headaches but had it with this thing. Admittedly I took four times the recommended dose (48mg) but that was cause it wasn’t doing anything. my only concern is that it jacks up one’s BP along with just about anything else useful. But the relief it gives my neck area is another benefit. I have a piece of broken bone that just sits there doing nothing but causing muscle tension. I have a permanent (usually small) tension headache. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/15 "2023-09-13T04:39:00Z")
> The key ingredient in popular decongestants such as Sudafed PE, Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion and Allegra-D doesn’t relieve nasal congestion when taken orally, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel concluded in a meeting Tuesday (Sept. 12). > > After reviewing years’ worth of data, the FDA’s Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee (NDAC) found that the effectiveness of the decongestant ingredient, phenylephrine, can help relieve a stuffy nose when delivered straight into the nose — [via a nasal spray](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19428-phenylephrine-nasal-spray), for example — but doesn’t work when taken by mouth, the 16 panelists unanimously decided. > **[Leading ingredient in over-the-counter decongestants doesn't work, FDA panel...](https://www.livescience.com/health/medicine-drugs/leading-ingredient-in-over-the-counter-decongestants-doesnt-work-fda-panel-rules)** > > The Food and Drug Administration reviewed data on phenylephrine, an ingredient in many popular decongestants, and deemed it ineffective when taken orally. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/16 "2023-09-13T04:46:06Z")
For most people, oral phenylephrine works little better than placebo. Topical phenylephrine, however, is a great decongestant when administered as a nasal spray. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/17 "2023-09-13T05:01:12Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > I’ve tried both and pseudephrine is by far superior. I 100% agree with this. The only decongestant that works well for me are the pseudoephedrine ones. Nothing else works well, or at all. My GF, however, HATES those so…everyone is different I guess. (and no, I do not make nor take meth) ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/18 "2023-09-13T13:35:35Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > oral phenylephrine works little better than placebo With the recent reporting on this topic, I’ve finally begun to see an explanation for this. Simply, the digestive tract breaks down phenylephrine into uselessness. Apparently, only 38% of an oral dose makes it into the bloodstream, and that’s not enough it seems. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2023, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-phelyphrine-a-scam/646356/19 "2023-09-14T01:14:35Z")
One other thing. I’m going to spoiler this so I don’t freak out all you male Dopers. Guess how they treat erections lasting more than 4 hours - and no, they don’t administer it as a nasal spray, either?