I'm a physician- although I don't disagree with the spirit of the article the headline is exceptionally misleading.
Phenylephrine is useless as an oral decongestant. It is still quite useful for other indications, including as a vasopressor (given IV to increase blood pressure such as in hypotensive shock). I believe it is actually the only commonly available vasopressor in the US that is a pure alpha-1 agonist which in certain scenarios is desirable.
It is also indicated for treatment of priapism.
The real kicker is that phenylephrine actually does work as a nasal decongestant when it is used as an intranasal spray, which has the added benefit of fewer systemic side effects compared with oral decongestants.
Phenylephrine is useless as an oral decongestant. It is still quite useful for other indications, including as a vasopressor (given IV to increase blood pressure such as in hypotensive shock). I believe it is actually the only commonly available vasopressor in the US that is a pure alpha-1 agonist which in certain scenarios is desirable.
It is also indicated for treatment of priapism.
The real kicker is that phenylephrine actually does work as a nasal decongestant when it is used as an intranasal spray, which has the added benefit of fewer systemic side effects compared with oral decongestants.