User Reviews for Phenylephrine to treat Nasal Congestion

"I just searched peer-reviewed journals and found NO EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PHENYLEPHRINE. "Phenylephrine, at the FDA-approved dose of 10 mg for adults, is unlikely to provide relief of nasal congestion. It has poor oral bioavailability because of extensive first-pass metabolism in the gut and liver.3 Only 38% of the dose reaches the systemic circulation,3 compared with 90% of a pseudoephedrine dose.4 Moreover, in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of 3 oral decongestants in 20 patients with chronic nasal stuffiness, phenylephrine was no more effective than placebo in reducing nasal airway resistance" From the Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, and the Drug Information Center, Shands Hospital at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla"

"This medication has been a life saver for me in getting my ears to drain. I suffer from year round allergies and have been diagnosed with eustachian tube disfunction. This is the only medication that works to keep my ears drained so I don't get an ear infection. I only take 10 mg. total daily broken into 2- 5 mg. doses. To those that this med does not work, I say they are very wrong. I have tried regular psuedofed and had to stop it due to excessive nervousness and insomnia. This med on the other hand works great. I have been taking it daily for 20 yrs and have to due to the my allergies/ ear disfunction. If I miss a few days doses, I get an ear infection every time."

"At 67, I have asthma due to formaldahyde exposure. I over-react to most allopathic meds and am accustomed to using tumeric for inflammation and Aloe vera for nearly everything else. I'm generally in excellent health, with all values from an annual blood draw in the "ideal" range. In an attempt to avoid allopathic inhalers, I tried several over the counter meds, settling on Phenylephrine as effective, inexpensive, and having no apparent side effects for me, the canary in the coal mine. Even though it is not even suggested for asthma, this permits me to live an active life of hiking in the redwood forests and dunes of coastal northern California."

"My Regular pseudoephedrine works, this phenylephrine brand does NOT work at all for stuffy nose. At. all. I don’t know who buys this. I feel tired when I take it too but my nose stays stuffed. No bueno."

"Taking Phenelephrine before bed time allows me to breath all night thru nose while wearing sleep apnea mask which I could not do most nights. I take one 10mg pill before bedtime only, do not use at any other time. Has also stopped my post nasal drip problem."

"After 125 standard allergy tests and told "no reaction" I was pronounced as having "chronic non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis". I truly believe that my biggest problem was from corticosteroid nasal sprays prescribed, but never overused. I've found phenylephrine has helped in a variable increased dose. When the wind blows primarily in the fall, whatever is out there causes my problem. If I take 2 10mg to start my day, I'm in good shape with the regular dose the rest of the day."

"I took it at the recommendation of a pharmacist specifically for chronic post-nasal drip. I've taken a lot of things and I can tell you that it worked within 40 minutes.. I don't think I can take it forever, but I'm hoping that before the 7 days is out, this will be cleared up permanently."

"I have read so much about this medication not working. But I don't suffer from a runny nose or congestion exactly. I have allergies that make my sinuses swell shut, and its very painful. Other than good old benadryl, there is no other medication that is even slightly effective for me. I'm curious to find out if anyone has used it for a similar problem and had positive results. All I have seen is that it's a placebo. And I can say with confidence, that is not the case for me."

"People say that this drug isn’t effective but it really is for me. I have tried so many drugs in the past for nasal relief and this drug works wonders for me. Whenever I have a really bad stuffy nose, I turn to phenylephrine because it works. "

"I have been a long time Sudafed original user the one that contained pseudoephridrine. I would rate it 11/10. Usually I have a script and am able to get it from my local pharmacy, despite it being a so-called magnet for bikie gangs making ICE. I tried the little red pills they brought out with moderate success. Then I tried Sudafed PE, just to be sure I'm not bagging the wrong thing, the little grey pills, and had the worst reaction of all time. As an ex-smoker I know I'm a candidate for COPD down the track, but these tablets brought on a wheeze that lasted for over 11 hours. It's on the pack as a warning, but pharmacists should issue their own warning....NOT suitable for anyone with dodgy lungs. Just wish they'd bring back original, taking them off the general market was just a cop out."

"New job is at a custom cabinet shop and my allergies resurfaced severely. I take 10mg's of this every weekday morning. I had to take two once, so, it does a great job with a single dose of 10mg. I am on my feet for 8hrs doing heavy lifting. No side effects at all for me. Not drowsy, tired, confused or any common allergy medicine side effect. This stuff works very very well."

"Phenylephrine is the only thing that helps me. My allergies swell everything, close my nose and ears, and make my teeth hurt. Thank goodness for Phenylephrine!"

Sudafed PE Congestion (phenylephrine) "Excellent to relieve pain and pressure when taking off and landing in an airplane."

"Doesn't work. Pseudoephedrine works the best for me"

"Had the flu and pharmacist told me to take this for nasal congestion. It did not work at all."

"I had the little red pill of phenylephrine and they just did not work at all."

"Did nothing to relieve my symptoms, but did make me feel acutely worse."

"Just doesn't work"