Phenylephrine was patented in 1933[16] and came into medical use in 1938.[17] It is available as a generic medication.[14][18][19] Unlike pseudoephedrine, abuse of phenylephrine is very uncommon.[20] Its effectiveness as a nasal decongestant has been questioned.[12][21][22] In 2023, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel concluded that the drug was ineffective as a nasal decongestant when taken orally.[23] In November 2024, the FDA proposed to remove oral phenylephrine as an active ingredient that can be used in over-the-counter (OTC) monograph drug products for the temporary relief of nasal congestion.[24] This decision was made when it was found that phenylephrine as a decongestant performs no better than placebo.
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^ abcdefgRichards E, Lopez MJ, Maani CV (2023). "Phenylephrine". StatPearls. Treasure Island, Florida: StatPearls Publishing. PMID30521222. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
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^Hatton RC, Hendeles L (March 2022). "Why Is Oral Phenylephrine on the Market After Compelling Evidence of Its Ineffectiveness as a Decongestant?". Ann Pharmacother. 56 (11): 1275–1278. doi:10.1177/10600280221081526. PMID35337187. S2CID247712448.