It’s important to note that the FDA advisory committee didn’t review nasal sprays or drops containing phenylephrine, so the announcement didn’t affect those forms of medications. The panel ...

"Unfortunately, when you take (phenylephrine) by mouth it's metabolized in the gut and by the liver where very little of the medicine actually makes it back to the nose," Dr. John Sweet ...

Only phenylephrine itself is active as an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist that can tackle the dilation of nasal blood vessels that is a major feature of nasal congestion; its metabolites are not.

Nasal decongestants, often used during cold and allergy seasons, can negatively impact brain health when used long-term or in high doses. Ingredients like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine ...