To start, “phenylephrine is metabolized more quickly [than pseudoephedrine], [so] it can be less effective for nasal decongestion than pseudoephedrine,” Dr. Lee says.

"It's a really inefficient way to treat nasal congestion," Hatton said. Phenylephrine has been widely used since the mid-2000s as a replacement for pseudoephedrine, a more effective oral decongestant.

The FDA is deliberating on removing the "generally recognized as safe and effective" designation for a common ingredient, phenylephrine, in popular over-the-counter nasal decongestants. Here's why.

Phenylephrine is also still thought to be effective when used as a nasal spray, said Dr. Wynne Armand, a primary care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital.

There are also nasal spray formulations of phenylephrine available (like Neo-Synephrine) that are more effective than their oral counterparts because it's not metabolized by the nose, Dr. Johnson ...

The drug appears more effective when applied directly to the nose, in sprays or drops, and those products are not under review. There's unlikely to be any immediate impact from Tuesday's panel ...

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) saw outside experts vote unanimously that phenylephrine is ineffective when taken in pill form, though it's still considered effective in nasal spray.

Phenylephrine hydrochloride is a nasal decongestant used to temporarily narrow blood vessels in the nose when sprayed on the membranes of the nasal cavity, the lawsuit said.

Phenylephrine works better as a nasal spray, acting primarily on nasal linings with minimal absorption into the bloodstream. But prolonged use of decongestant sprays can lead to “rebound congestion”, ...

When swallowed, phenylephrine breaks down quickly in the stomach. Carlos David / Alamy Stock Photo Phenylephrine works better as a nasal spray, acting primarily on nasal linings with minimal ...