Common active ingredient in cold medicine deemed ineffective. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that one of the most used “active” ingredients in over-the-counter oral decongestants, phenylephrine (PE), isn't effective at all. After an extensive review, an FDA advisory panel concluded that, though safe, “orally administered PE is not effective as a nasal decongestant at the monographed dosage (10 mg of PE hydrochloride every 4 hours) as well as at doses up to 40 mg (dosed every 4 hours).” Higher doses are not considered safe as they can cause dangerously high blood pressure. Nurses should educate patients on effective alternatives to PE products, including nasal steroids, nasal antihistamines, and oral pseudoephedrine.