FDA ADMITS This Drug Is a DUD
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted October 14, 2023
Recently, the FDA made a shocking announcement.
An over-the-counter (OTC) drug, approved by the agency long ago…
(AND sold to us for over 20 years!)
Doesn’t work.
Yup, you read that right. It’s USELESS.
But it’s not even THAT fact that has my head spinning.
It’s what they had to say about how correcting the situation will affect US.
According to the FDA, pulling this useless decongestant from the market will harm consumers.
They refer to mysterious “downstream effects” in their briefing.
But let’s be perfectly clear about one thing. Taking a drug that DOESN’T WORK off store shelves is a GOOD thing for consumers.
Yet, at the moment, there are no solid plans to stop selling products with it. The agency claims they need more clinical data before making any final decisions.
So how did we get here? Let’s take a quick look…
Around 20 years ago, two things happened.
- In 2004, an herb that had long been used in traditional medicine called Ephedra sinica was banned after several people taking very high doses of the plant were injured or died.
- Then, in 2005, the FDA created the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act, which banned the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) medications containing the decongestant pseudoephedrine, made from the same plant. That means you now have to ask the pharmacist for it.
So, an effective decongestant was removed from store shelves because of a small group of bad actors.
But since another nasal decongestant called phenylephrine (brand names include Sudafed PE and Suphedrine PE) was still available, they considered it an acceptable compromise.
There’s just one BIG problem. Fast forward to the present, and after taking a long-term look at the evidence, the FDA now says phenylephrine doesn’t even work.
Not only that, despite being considered safe, phenylephrine comes with a list of potential side effects, including stomach upset, trouble sleeping, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, nervousness, shaking, and fast heartbeat.
Yet incredibly, at this moment, you can STILL go buy products containing this decongestant.
Don’t waste your money on these products. Try some natural alternatives instead.
The herbs echinacea, turmeric, and olive leaf support your immune system, reducing your risk of catching a cold or flu bug. Plus, they can reduce your symptoms and shorten the length of your illness should you get sick.
P.S. Small (but powerful!) berry ends colds and flu!
Source:
FDA Briefing Document: “Efficacy of Oral Phenylephrine as a Nasal Decongestant,” NDAC Briefing Document: Oral Phenylephrine in the CCABA Monograph 1, Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee Meeting, September 11 and 12, 2023
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...