this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2023
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[–] dingus@lemmy.ml 153 points 1 year ago (7 children)

I think allergy suffers already have known this for years... The stuff that works is locked up because it can be used to make meth...

[–] dublet@lemmy.world 49 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Yes, it's pseudoephedrine that you want. Somewhat ironic that Sudafed got its brandname from it, but you can't easily get the original version anymore.

Edited: corrected for availibility of the Sudafed - thanks Blue and Cubby.

[–] Bluescluestoothpaste@sh.itjust.works 18 points 1 year ago (3 children)

You can still get it, you have to go to the pharmacy in the back and give your ID though. Limited to like 5 packs a month which is more than plenty unless you're making meth with it

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[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

A frustrating outcome. I used to buy 14 day packs of allergy meds and sometimes didn’t qualify to buy more two or even four days after I ran out. I don’t know what aspect of their restrictions allow this to happen, but it’s bullshit. Also, good luck if you’re going overseas for a month and need a full supply. I believe a doc can prescribe a larger supply, but I shouldn’t have to pay more money and time for a doc appointment to get that.

[–] BackOnMyBS@lemmy.world 24 points 1 year ago (1 children)

One thing I've realized about US healthcare is that it would rather restrict meds from those that need them than to give access to those that would abuse it.

[–] HorseWithNoName@lemm.ee 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

That's definitely what they've done with opioids. You could have your bone sticking out of your arm and they'd call you a drug addict for being surprised when they give you a motrin.

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[–] x4740N@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Any backyard chemsit can make meth if they are skilled enough

Nile Red likely has the capability of doing that

[–] glimse@lemmy.world 16 points 1 year ago

Nile Red is more than a backyard chemist lol he has a lab

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[–] starman2112@sh.itjust.works 92 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (5 children)

Representatives for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, a group that represents OTC drug manufacturers, did not offer any new evidence to counter the FDA’s claims that the drug is ineffective during their presentation Monday.

The group instead said that if oral phenylephrine were not available over the counter, it would be a significant burden to consumers.

But it doesn't work! Consumers are literally using something that's no better than the naturopathic bullshit found in the next aisle over!

MAN I hate corporate lobbyists. Outright lying to try and save face.

[–] dantheclamman@lemmy.world 41 points 1 year ago

“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” -Upton Sinclair

[–] Supermariofan67@programming.dev 23 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's because the DEA restricted pseudoephedrine, which does work. Duck the war on drugs

[–] Astroturfed@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

Yes, I NEED this shit like 2-3 months of the year due to a severe winter cedar allergy. I can barely function without a strong decongestant and having to show my ID and jump through hoops at the pharmacy to get it instead of just grabbing some off a shelf is so frustrating.

[–] Bgugi@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

Lol, thinking that the naturopathic shit isnt sitting on the same shelves with almost identical packaging to real medicine.

[–] billiam0202@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

it would be a significant burden to ~~consumers~~ our share prices

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[–] roguetrick@kbin.social 69 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

No shit. The fun part is it DOES have side effects. So it doesn't do what it's proclaimed to do, but is a drug. It should be pulled off the shelves.

[–] dantheclamman@lemmy.world 27 points 1 year ago

I've been dehydrating myself for shits and giggles apparently lol

[–] sssm@lemmy.world 65 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Super interestingly, in clinical trials it is less effective than the placebo.

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[–] Bluescluestoothpaste@sh.itjust.works 31 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Pseudoephedrine definitely works though right?

[–] misterundercoat@lemmy.world 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah man you gotta go to the counter and sign a log book to get the good stuff, thanks methheads. Don't fall for the PE version on the shelves, that's a noob trap.

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[–] Astroturfed@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

Yes. I have a few months a year where I have to get some type of decongestant and the most cost effective is generic Pseudoephedrine. It works. My mother bought me phenylephrine a few times when I was younger and it just didn't do anything. Not surprised about this article one bit.

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[–] TheAmishMan@lemmy.world 30 points 1 year ago (10 children)

I graduated pharmacy school 8 years ago. This was a thing that was taught in school. This is why you should talk to your pharmacist. Guaifenisin is another 'garbage drug' that does virtually nothing; just drink more water

[–] kmkz_ninja@lemmy.world 18 points 1 year ago

Guaifenisin seems to clear my chest congestion up pretty quickly. If I'm placeboing myself, then lalalala I'm not listening.

[–] dantheclamman@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

omg are you serious? I always felt like sudafed PE didn't do much but I thought mucinex helped a bunch with sinus congestion. now I'm here not sure if anything is real.

Edit for those interested: "extended-release guaifenesin was found to have no effect on all 3 patient-related outcome markers analyzed as measured by the Daily Cough and Phlegm Diary, Spontaneous Symptom Severity Assessment score, and the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey."

Edit again with more: "The greatest effects of treatment with guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine were observed for nasal congestion and sinus headache. Time to overall relief was shorter with guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine (P = 0.038). Significantly more patients reported “the medication was helping during the day” on Day 2 with guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine (P = 0.002). Patient assessments of symptom relief showed a significant preference for guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine versus placebo"

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out loud? finally!

[–] transmatrix@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago (2 children)

It’s crazy that enough people think this crap works that it’s a billion dollar industry…

[–] RePsyche@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago

I’m near certain that the companies that sell this useless crap are quite aware of how useless it is.

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[–] hedgehogging_the_bed@lemmy.world 16 points 1 year ago (2 children)

My NP told me to avoid this stuff and just hand over my Photo ID at the back to get the real pseudoephedrine.

[–] comador@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Yup, the good stuff is always that 20mg-30mg psedoephedraline they give you the third degree over buying. Worth it.

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[–] coheedcollapse@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Maybe I'm a lightweight, but pseudoephedrine makes me feel weird. I can't put my finger on it, but maybe a bit jittery and kind of cold. Also hyper - like I'll want to do chores when I take it

Works better than anything else for my colds, but it also makes me feel odd so I avoid it unless I'm feeling super trash.

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[–] blanketswithsmallpox@kbin.social 12 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

We've known this for a decade or more... There's a lot of bullshit you can buy. The pharmacy aisle isn't the only place lol.

https://pharmacy.ufl.edu/2015/10/14/uf-researchers-ask-fda-to-remove-non-prescription-decongestant-from-the-market/

[–] surfrock66@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago (7 children)

You know what's weird? I get severe sinus headaches and regular pseudoenepherine sudafed doesn't help at all, but these phelylephrine ones do. I'll even tell my wife "the little reds, not the whites". Weird.

[–] roguetrick@kbin.social 28 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Have you tried a migraine formulation for that? It sounds like you're actually benefiting from the systemic effects (vasoconstriction) instead of the reduced mucous production. A formulation would include caffeine that also has vasoconstriction in case this is removed from the market.

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[–] hedgehogging_the_bed@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago (3 children)

The real pseudoephedrines are also little red pills, at least where I am on the US East Coast.

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[–] AnonTwo@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago

I forget but wasn't it also advertised to have a painkilling effect? Maybe the thing it's doing for you isn't the decongestant but that?

[–] blanketswithsmallpox@kbin.social 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

The power of placebo! It's the nicest part about placebo too. The more you believe it the more your body does too.

[–] roguetrick@kbin.social 8 points 1 year ago

I actually doubt that. Phenylephrine does have systemic effects that might be beneficial for migraines. That's not what it was decided to not be effective in with the FDA and not what folks generally use it for. Pseudoephedrine isn't really that effective for migraines itself.

[–] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

Nah, the drug is still a bio-active drug. It DOES do things, just doesn't help most with the prescribed symptoms because its mechanism of effect is different.

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[–] ryannathans@lemmy.fmhy.net 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is not new news, in original studies it never outperformed placebo and has cardiovascular health risks. It's simply never worked, it's not a secret, it's just preferred by governments that your access to pseudoephedrine is limited so this was rushed onto shelves

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[–] SeaJ@lemm.ee 9 points 1 year ago

I could have guessed that. Pseudophedrine works great. You just have to ask for it behind the counter because of the whole meth thing.

I got two sinus infections back to back this year and got to learn it the hard way. The doctor was like: "No, you gotta get the REAL stuff!"

[–] twistypencil@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This explains why this weekend taking this shit did nothing at all for me

[–] PetDinosaurs@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

I'm with you that it doesn't work.

Pseudoephedrine, however, does work.

Just sign your live away and get the real stuff.

[–] AnonTwo@kbin.social 7 points 1 year ago

Legally acceptable snake oil I guess.

[–] blazera@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago

Yeah they said it like decades ago. Theres never been evidence it works.

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