The Food and Drug Administration earlier this year ruled that certain products such as Mucinex contain an ingredient that is ineffective against the common cold and other viral infections. 

The ingredient, which is named phenylephrine, is an ingredient used in most OTC products used to treat nasal decongestion. However in September, the FDA advisory board determined that the particular ingredient does not provide enough scientific data to prove it is an effective nasal decongestant when taken orally, but it has not removed the ingredient from safety concerns or officially recognizes it as “ineffective.” The agency also clarifies that the ingredient only applies to oral supplements, not nasal sprays or other types of OTC products. 

The FDA has not asked drug manufacturers to remove the oral ingredient yet, but one company, CVS, took action, removing OTC products with phenylephrine as its primary ingredient. Other products were removed from shelves as well, including Sudafed PE, which has the ingredient as its primary decongestant.

 But, this is no cause to panic, as Mucinex’s primary ingredient for decongestion is guaifenesin, which helps to loosen up mucus inside your sinuses so you can cough it up. Other products that you can use with phenylephrine include nasal sprays like Flonase and common allergy medications such as Allegra and Claritin.