October 23, 2023- Phenylephrine is a major component used in popular products including brand names like Sudafed, Benadryl, and Kenvue’s Tylenol. Last month, a panel of advisers to the U.S. raised doubts over the efficacy of the ingredient. The panel chose not to back the effectiveness of over-the-counter medicines with phenylephrine.
On Thursday, October 19th, CVS Health announced that it will pull common decongestants with phenylephrine as the only active ingredient and no longer plans to sell them. According to CVS, many other oral cold and cough products will continue to be sold.
Phenylephrine began to be used in cold medication after pseudoephedrine was restricted due to reports of abuse.