Yes, it's pseudoephedrine that you want. Somewhat ironic that Sudafed got its brandname from it, but you can't easily get the original version anymore.
Edited: corrected for availibility of the Sudafed - thanks Blue and Cubby.
You can still get it, you have to go to the pharmacy in the back and give your ID though. Limited to like 5 packs a month which is more than plenty unless you're making meth with it
unless they stopped production in the last couple months you can still get it where live in the states you just have to show id for it and they track your purchases across the state and neighbor states i think
A frustrating outcome. I used to buy 14 day packs of allergy meds and sometimes didn’t qualify to buy more two or even four days after I ran out. I don’t know what aspect of their restrictions allow this to happen, but it’s bullshit. Also, good luck if you’re going overseas for a month and need a full supply. I believe a doc can prescribe a larger supply, but I shouldn’t have to pay more money and time for a doc appointment to get that.
One thing I've realized about US healthcare is that it would rather restrict meds from those that need them than to give access to those that would abuse it.
Probably in the minority here but I didn't know that Benadryl straight up doesn't work as a decongestant. It knocks me the fuck out though, so I wonder if it's effective at making you drowsy as shit and not much else.
The person you replied to was talking about pseudoephedrine, which is marketed as a decongestant. And boy does it get the job done.
Benedryl (diphenhydramine), on the other hand, is an anti-histimine and it absolutely works for allergic reactions. That said, it's also marketed as a sleep aid (take a look at the active chemical in things like "ZZZQuil" or drug store brand "sleep aid," and compare it to the one in Benedryl. Same chemical), and believe me, it works very well for that.
Representatives for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, a group that represents OTC drug manufacturers, did not offer any new evidence to counter the FDA’s claims that the drug is ineffective during their presentation Monday.
The group instead said that if oral phenylephrine were not available over the counter, it would be a significant burden to consumers.
But it doesn't work! Consumers are literally using something that's no better than the naturopathic bullshit found in the next aisle over!
MAN I hate corporate lobbyists. Outright lying to try and save face.
Yes, I NEED this shit like 2-3 months of the year due to a severe winter cedar allergy. I can barely function without a strong decongestant and having to show my ID and jump through hoops at the pharmacy to get it instead of just grabbing some off a shelf is so frustrating.
Yeah man you gotta go to the counter and sign a log book to get the good stuff, thanks methheads. Don't fall for the PE version on the shelves, that's a noob trap.
Yes. I have a few months a year where I have to get some type of decongestant and the most cost effective is generic Pseudoephedrine. It works. My mother bought me phenylephrine a few times when I was younger and it just didn't do anything. Not surprised about this article one bit.
I graduated pharmacy school 8 years ago. This was a thing that was taught in school. This is why you should talk to your pharmacist. Guaifenisin is another 'garbage drug' that does virtually nothing; just drink more water
omg are you serious? I always felt like sudafed PE didn't do much but I thought mucinex helped a bunch with sinus congestion. now I'm here not sure if anything is real.
Edit for those interested: "extended-release guaifenesin was found to have no effect on all 3 patient-related outcome markers analyzed as measured by the Daily Cough and Phlegm Diary, Spontaneous Symptom Severity Assessment score, and the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey."
Edit again with more: "The greatest effects of treatment with guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine were observed for nasal congestion and sinus headache. Time to overall relief was shorter with guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine (P = 0.038). Significantly more patients reported “the medication was helping during the day” on Day 2 with guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine (P = 0.002). Patient assessments of symptom relief showed a significant preference for guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine versus placebo"
I keep both the 4 hour and the 12 hour time-released versions at home. There's no substitute. I'll gladly spend a few extra minutes at the pharmacy counter to obtain it.
Maybe I'm a lightweight, but pseudoephedrine makes me feel weird. I can't put my finger on it, but maybe a bit jittery and kind of cold. Also hyper - like I'll want to do chores when I take it
Works better than anything else for my colds, but it also makes me feel odd so I avoid it unless I'm feeling super trash.
You know what's weird? I get severe sinus headaches and regular pseudoenepherine sudafed doesn't help at all, but these phelylephrine ones do. I'll even tell my wife "the little reds, not the whites". Weird.
Have you tried a migraine formulation for that? It sounds like you're actually benefiting from the systemic effects (vasoconstriction) instead of the reduced mucous production. A formulation would include caffeine that also has vasoconstriction in case this is removed from the market.
I actually doubt that. Phenylephrine does have systemic effects that might be beneficial for migraines. That's not what it was decided to not be effective in with the FDA and not what folks generally use it for. Pseudoephedrine isn't really that effective for migraines itself.
Nah, the drug is still a bio-active drug. It DOES do things, just doesn't help most with the prescribed symptoms because its mechanism of effect is different.
When I had COVID and got really severe congestion, it was some of the worst sinus pain I've ever had in my life. I was at the point where I was trying to use a baby nasal bulb to relieve some pressure. The phenylephrine helped me a lot more than any other medication I was trying, including nasal sprays. I also take other sinus medications though, so I wonder if it's a case of a medication not working well unless it's used in conjunction with other things?
I guess it's possible I experienced a placebo effect, but it seems weird it would do it when nothing else was.
This is not new news, in original studies it never outperformed placebo and has cardiovascular health risks. It's simply never worked, it's not a secret, it's just preferred by governments that your access to pseudoephedrine is limited so this was rushed onto shelves
I rely on pharmaceuticals for multiple problems, and they are very effective, but my god we are being scammed by pharmaceutical companies in so many ways.