Phenylephrine



AH-chew® D [OTC] [DSC]; AK-Dilate®; Altafrin; Anu-Med [OTC]; Formulation R™[OTC]; Medicone®[OTC]; Mydfrin®; NaSop™; Neo-Synephrine® Extra Strength [OTC]; Neo-Synephrine® Mild [OTC]; Neo-Synephrine® Ophthalmic [DSC]; Neo-Synephrine® Regular Strength [OTC]; Rectacaine [OTC]; Relief®[OTC]; Rhinall [OTC]; Sudafed PE™[OTC]; Tronolane® Suppository [OTC]; Vicks® Sinex® Nasal Spray [OTC]; Vicks® Sinex® UltraFine Mist [OTC]







Phenylephrine

(fen il EF rin)

U.S. Brand Names
AH-chew® D [OTC] [DSC]; AK-Dilate®; Altafrin; Anu-Med [OTC]; Formulation R™[OTC]; Medicone®[OTC]; Mydfrin®; NaSop™; Neo-Synephrine® Extra Strength [OTC]; Neo-Synephrine® Mild [OTC]; Neo-Synephrine® Ophthalmic [DSC]; Neo-Synephrine® Regular Strength [OTC]; Rectacaine [OTC]; Relief®[OTC]; Rhinall [OTC]; Sudafed PE™[OTC]; Tronolane® Suppository [OTC]; Vicks® Sinex® Nasal Spray [OTC]; Vicks® Sinex® UltraFine Mist [OTC]
Canadian Brand Names
Dionephrine®; Mydfrin®; Neo-Synephrine®
Pharmacologic Category
Alpha/Beta Agonist; Ophthalmic Agent, Antiglaucoma; Ophthalmic Agent, Mydriatic
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to phenylephrine or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have any of the following conditions: Fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, or narrow angle glaucoma.
  • If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started. Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat low blood pressure.
  • This medicine is used to treat glaucoma.
  • This medicine is used to treat nasal congestion.
  • This medicine is used to treat eye irritation.
  • This medicine is used to treat symptoms of hemorrhoids or rectal irritation.
  • This medicine is used with another medicine to numb an area.
  • This medicine is used before an eye exam.
How does it work?
  • Phenylephrine lowers pressure in the eye.
  • It lengthens the effect of certain numbing medicines.
  • It shrinks swollen nasal tissue and opens up passages.
  • It shrinks blood vessels to increase blood pressure.
  • It enlarges the pupil of the eye.
How is it best taken?
  • Oral:
  • Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Chewable tablet: Chew or crush well. Mix crushed tablet with food. Do not swallow whole.
  • Oral-disintegrating tablet: Place on tongue and let dissolve. Water is not needed. Do not swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
  • A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Shake well before use.
  • Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
  • Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
  • Injection:
  • This medicine is given as a shot into a vein or into a vein constantly for a period of time.
  • Eye:
  • For the eye only.
  • Wash hands before and after use.
  • Take out contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given. Do not put contacts back in if eyes are irritated or infected.
  • Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
  • Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.
  • After using medicine, keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps the medicine in your eye.
  • Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes.
  • Nasal:
  • The nasal spray is for the nose only.
  • Blow your nose before use.
  • Do not use for more than 3 days in a row.
  • Rectal:
  • Use cream, ointment, or suppository rectally.
  • Take foil off rectal suppository and insert pointed end first. Do not handle too much.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not use a double dose or extra doses.
  • Many times this medicine is used on an as needed basis.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you are a male with problems urinating, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you are allergic to sulfites, talk with healthcare provider. Some products do contain sulfites.
  • If you have PKU, talk with healthcare provider. Some products do contain phenylalanine.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • High blood pressure.
  • Nervous and excitable.
  • Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Inability to sleep.
  • Eye irritation.
  • Nasal irritation.
  • Rectal irritation.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Have eye pressure checked regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Chest pain or pressure, fast heartbeat, or passing out.
  • Severe headache.
  • Sudden change in vision, eye pain or irritation.
  • Severe bleeding from rectum or rectal pain.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect suppositories from heat.
  • Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
  • Protect from light.
  • Follow directions for storage of eye solution.
  • This injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: