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CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they're useless

arstechnica.com

121–130 of 275 posts

Re: CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they're useless

#121
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's already easy to buy the stuff that works. You just have to go up to the counter and ask. You have to show ID, just like you do for liquor (and, because purchases of psuedoephedrine are rate-limited, they're going to log your purchase). You'll need to get over that, because I don't think the rate limit is going anywhere: psuedoephedrine essentially is methamphetamine, and it's the worst conceivable kind: the kind…

I guess some people will still (try to) make it themselves, but last time it came up here someone posted about how mass production has just moved on to some other synthesis that isn't dependent on buying a precursor in small retail quantities: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37499106

Again: the issue isn't that you can't mass-produce methamphetamine without pseudoephedrine; at scale, it's presumably far, far easier to produce it without using pseudoephedrine as a precursor. The issue is that pseudoephedrine-based meth production is a particularly damaging kind of production, in the sense of burning down buildings, causing distinctive kinds of crime, and producing an even more dangerous product.

Re: CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they're useless

#122
post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People blissfully treated with placebos because the stuff that actually worked can be kind of hardcore. My (I’ve learned: unpopular) opinion is that not everything is a cosmic wrongness that demands a 1Hr Photo of a fix. It’s okay to just work through a cold with rest and water and warm beverages.

> It’s okay to just work through a cold with rest and water and warm beverages. Spot the person with no children and no job responsibilities!

Thought the same thing. I've always been a "better living through chemistry" kind of person, but having kids pushed me straight into "find what pill makes it go away, and take it" as default response, because ain't anyone have time to deal with bullshit like a cold, especially when the rest of the family is down with it again, third time this month.

Re: CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they're useless

#124
post #92
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's already easy to buy the stuff that works. You just have to go up to the counter and ask. You have to show ID, just like you do for liquor (and, because purchases of psuedoephedrine are rate-limited, they're going to log your purchase). You'll need to get over that, because I don't think the rate limit is going anywhere: psuedoephedrine essentially is methamphetamine, and it's the worst conceivable kind: the kind…

In my experience (perhaps my state), a pharmacy will now only dispense pseudoephedrine to you they "know you." As in, you regularly fill other medications at that pharmacy. If you don't take other medications? I don't know, I assume you're fucked.

No pharmacy I have ever bought Sudafed at "knew me". I don't take any other medication. When I want Sudafed, I just go buy it.

Re: CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they're useless

#125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Up to the counter and ask...when the counter is open that is increasingly a problem as pharmacies close and hours are limited (the two nearest me close at 6pm, right at the end of working hours). Probably covered by the FMLA or any boss who isn't an asshole, or since it's OTC, have someone grab it for you, or get it on your lunch, or task rabbit it. > Show ID...that the pharmacist will accept (not all of us drive o…

There are regulations that exist specifically to stop people from buying pseudoephedrine for someone else, anti-"smurfing" laws. Some places make you sign a government waiver that confirms you're only buying Sudafed for yourself, a family member, or someone in your household. There are limits on how much a single person and household can buy or have, as well. It's not something you can use Task Rabbit for, and anyone…

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38007117

Re: CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they're useless

#126

My understanding is that they are only removing products that ONLY contain Phenylephrine, which means they will still sell it when it is part of multiple-ingredient formulations, which are in themselves kind of a scam. For example, many OTC "severe cold/flu" formulations contain: - Acetaminophen. Potentially helpful for the body aches that come with the flu, but a lot of the time when I'm sick, I don't exactly need o…

> People feel sick and they go in and just say "I'll take whatever is strongest" and they get overcharged for these weird formulations that are sort of kitchen-sink type things.

Well, it doesn’t help that most states require you to go to the pharmacy counter for the stuff that actually works (pseudoephedrine), and in some states you actually need a prescription.

Re: CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they're useless

#127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

Why do you believe this is the case?

Mm I recently travelled there in business. It reminded me of Pakistan where I also travelled for business. Both failed states.

Re: CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they're useless

#128

My understanding is that they are only removing products that ONLY contain Phenylephrine, which means they will still sell it when it is part of multiple-ingredient formulations, which are in themselves kind of a scam. For example, many OTC "severe cold/flu" formulations contain: - Acetaminophen. Potentially helpful for the body aches that come with the flu, but a lot of the time when I'm sick, I don't exactly need o…

Acetaminophen can help you sleep as well. Less aching == more restful sleep which in my experience is the best cure for most minor illnesses.

Re: CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they're useless

#129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> You just have to go up to the counter and ask. You have to show ID, just like you do for liquor (and, because purchases of psuedoephedrine are rate-limited, they're going to log your purchase) Up to the counter and ask...when the counter is open that is increasingly a problem as pharmacies close and hours are limited (the two nearest me close at 6pm, right at the end of working hours). Show ID...that the pharmacist…

The only reason I have a state ID is for buying Sudafed. I was tired of "my system won't scan your passport". I disagree with the person that replied to you, you really don't need a state ID for anything.

Well if you have a passport, which is federal ID, of course you don't need a state ID. But there are plenty of people who have criminal records that would prevent them from getting a passport, as well as plenty of people who just don't want the couple week process and complexity of getting a passport, or don't want to carry a bulky book when all they need is 1 page from it, and who have no intention of leaving the country. State IDs are the default for a ton of people who can't or don't drive.

Re: CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they're useless

#130
post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not harmless with Acetaminophen of they don't realize it and also take pills at the same time, pretty narrow range to liver damage.

You might be thinking of aspirin, which is toxic at fairly low dosages. Acetaminophen (aka Tylenol) is much, much safer.

Acetaminophen has a narrow therapeutic index and can cause severe and irreversible liver injury in doses around 10 g. A single tablet usually contains 500 mg, but because it's a component of so many other "combo" cold meds, including some syrups, it's easy for people to overdose while mixing OTC products to get over a flu.

Aspirin has a lower standard dose (325 mg), higher LD50 (probably around 20-25 g), and is generally safer. It has fallen out of favor because it's known to cause an exceedingly rare but deadly syndrome in a tiny percentage of children, and because it can have gastroenterological side effects.

Ibuprofen is probably the safest option? I'm sure it can be overdosed, but it almost never happens, whereas acetaminophen results in tons of hospitalizations every year.

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