I'm a Pharmacist! Don't Take This, and Take This Instead Part 6

I'm a pharmacist, don't take this medication and take these medication instead. Part 6. Today's medication that we're gonna be talking about is actually, I think my number one sworn enemy, phenylephrine, which you'll commonly see as the brand Sudafed PE. This PE, just throw this PE in the back of your mind because we'll get back to that later. The reason why I absolutely hate this medication is that it does not work at all. This medication is believed to help with nasal congestion. Reason it's been on the market for so long and hasn't been removed is pretty much, you know, isn't harmful to you if you're taking it. So honestly, the only people I'm recommending this for are my sworn enemies who I want to stay congested. So what do I recommend instead? A number one recommendation for congestion, especially when it's with a cold, is gonna be pseudoephedrine. So it's gonna be the Sudafed without the PE, which is phenylephrine. You'll have to get this behind the pharmacy counter and you will need your driver's license. However, if you have high blood pressure, this may raise your blood pressure. So here are some alternatives. I love a good saline nasal rinse. It's cheap, it's usually effective. Works by thinning mucus and flushing out allergens, which in turn is gonna clear out your nasal passages, making it easier to breathe. Now, if you don't like that mucus coming all out on you, or if you know, you want something that's very user friendly, I personally use the Navage just because it keeps all the mucus in the container, so I don't have it all in my sink. If it's more allergy related, you could use something like Flonase. This is usually gonna be your first line option. You could possibly use it for a cold, but honestly, it may or may not be effective. And also antihistamines can help with congestion as well, especially when it's allergy related. You can also get combination ones. So there is like a Allegra D, like Zyrtec D, Claritin D. So antihistamine plus a decongestant. Then if we want to just stay away from medications altogether, like a humidifier and also elevating your bed to help with the mucus.