Tag: Pharmacy guidance

In a significant move impacting over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, an FDA advisory panel unanimously voted in September 2023 that oral phenylephrine, a common ingredient in many cold and allergy medicines, is ineffective for treating nasal congestion. This has led to the question: what cold medicines are they pulling off the shelf? The answer is tied directly to this ingredient and the voluntary actions of some retailers.

With hundreds of thousands of different pills in circulation, a simple mark like an 'E' on a white pill is insufficient for proper identification and can be incredibly misleading. A white pill with E on it could be a common over-the-counter pain reliever, a prescription medication for a heart condition, or a dangerous counterfeit containing lethal substances like fentanyl. Safe and accurate identification is crucial for your health and safety.