Script

FDA: COMMON OTC NASAL DECONGESTANT INEFFECTIVE
Carol Nwelue, MD, Baylor Scott & White Health

{**ON CAM**}
HAVE YOU EVER TAKEN AN OVER-THE-COUNTER DECONGESTANT… AND FELT LIKE IT DIDN’T HELP?
ACCORDING TO THE F-D-A … YOUR INSTINCTS MAY BE RIGHT.

{**TAKE VO**}
THE F-D-A SAYS A COMMON DECONGESTANT, CALLED PHENYLEPHRINE, IS NOT EFFECTIVE WHEN TAKEN IN PILL OR LIQUID FORM TO TREAT NASAL CONGESTION. INTERNAL MEDICINE DOCTOR CAROL NWELUE (UH-WAY-LUH-WAY) SAYS THE F-D-A FOUND THE MEDICATION IS SAFE … BUT NOT ENOUGH OF THE DRUG CIRCULATES THROUGHOUT YOUR SYSTEM TO BE EFFECTIVE. HOWEVER … SHE SAYS THERE ARE OTHER USEFUL OVER-THE-COUNTER TREATMENTS.

{**TAKE SOT**}
Carol Nwelue, MD
Baylor Scott & White Health
TRT: 20
“So, there are other over-the-counter medications that can help with nasal congestion, like a nasal saline spray, saline washes—your doctor may prescribe even nasal steroids or oral decongestants. Phenylephrine does work in the nasal spray version, not the pill though.”

{**ON CAM**}
THERE ARE OTHER ORAL DECONGESTANTS AVAILABLE WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION … BUT YOU’LL NEED TO SHOW IDENTIFICATION AND PURCHASE THEM FROM A PHARMACIST.
THOSE CHANGES HAPPENED IN 2006 TO PREVENT PEOPLE USING THE MEDICATIONS TO MAKE METHAMPHETAMINE.