US agency says decongestant in many cold medicines doesn't work. So what does?

FILE - A decongestant pill containing phenylephrine is displayed for a photograph in Philadelphia on Dec. 9, 2024.

Changes are coming to the cold and cough aisle of your local pharmacy: U.S. officials are moving to phase out the leading decongestant found in hundreds of over-the-counter medicines, concluding that it doesn't actually relieve nasal congestion.