Cold Relief Confusion
29-Nov-2006: It's prime time for the season of sniffles. But, if you haven't already noticed, the trip to the drugstore is a whole different experience than it was in past. There's been a dramatic change among over the counter cold and allergy therapies.
For years people have come to rely on the convenience of running to the store and simply grabbing off the shelf familiar products to treat congestion. Now, there are restrictions on these medications. And what's still easy to get that looks like an old favorite may actually contain an ingredient some experts say doesn't work as well.
When the sneezing and coughing begin many consumers faithfully reached for products like Sudafed, Musinex D, Claritin D, even the generic equivalents. They were always right there on the shelf. But not anymore. These tried and true favorites are now being kept behind the pharmacy counter.
"At first it was a little tricky. A lot of people didn't know why we wouldn't sell it to them over the counter, but once we explained why it's been no problem," said Matt Horton, Walgreens pharmacist.
State and federal laws now require that only pharmacist are able to give out the drugs. That's because they contain pseudoephedrine, a decongestant. But it's also an also an ingredient used to make methamphetamine, an illegal stimulant. So, even though you don't need a prescription, there is now a limit on how much you can buy.
And they are very strict on who can buy it. You have to be 18, show a drivers license or state ID, nothing else will do. And you have to sign your name.
Rush allergist Dr. Mary Kay Tobin says for many it's still a surprise.
"I think people didn't realize it was going to affect their everyday kinda flu and cough choices," said Tobin.
And this may be an even bigger surprise: the medications you can get yourself on store shelves have been reformulated. The boxes may look the same but what's inside is different. Some may not even contain a decongestant and none of them contain pseudoephedrine or PSE. Instead, they have a new ingredient called phenylephrine, also known as PE.
So there's the well know brand name with pseudoephedrine behind the pharmacy shelf and the reformulated version over the counter. The PE version may be easier to get but may not be equal.
"Phenylepherine is actually not absorbed well in the stomach, and actually, only 38 percent of the drug actually makes it into the bloodstream. So in a lot of people it really isn't as effective," said Jan Engle, UIC College of Pharmacy pharmacist.
Engle says there are other things to keep in mind.. PE is a short-acting decongestant, which means it may only last about four hours compared with PSE, which can last up to six.
"If you want something that's effective and long lasting, just ask for it behind the counter, because those are the products containing pseudophederine," said Engle.
Critics question whether the PE versions have been put on the market because drug companies are worried about losing profits if their products are not convenient. Pfizer is the maker of one of the most popular sinus and cold remedies, Sudafed. A company spokeswoman claims its PE over the counter products are just as effective. Also, consumers have a choice and can always go to the pharmacist for the original version.
Daniel Lewis prefers the original version and that's why he's willing to head to the pharmacy counter.
"The other stuff just doesn't seem to work," said Daniel Lewis, allergy patient.
Representative Henry Waxman, a longtime pharmaceutical industry watchdog, is asking the Food and Drug Administration to look into the effectiveness of PE. In the past the agency has declined, citing sufficient research the drug works.
Pharmacists say it is now more important than ever for consumers to read the medication boxes and know exactly what's inside and what they're buying. If you are still confused talk to your pharmacist.
Source: ABC7Chicago.com
