Phenylephrine Overview

(fen il EF rin)

4 Way® Fast Acting [OTC]; 4 Way® Menthol [OTC]; AK-Dilate®; Altafrin; Anu-Med [OTC]; Little Noses® Decongestant [OTC]; LuSonal™; Medi-First™ Sinus Decongestant [OTC]; Medi-Phenyl [OTC]; Medicone® Suppositories [OTC]; Mydfrin®; Nasop12™ [DSC]; Neo-Synephrine® Extra Strength [OTC]; Neo-Synephrine® Injection; Neo-Synephrine® Mild [OTC]; Neo-Synephrine® Regular Strength [OTC]; Neofrin™; OcuNefrin™ [OTC]; PediaCare® Children's Decongestant [OTC]; Preparation H® [OTC]; Rectacaine [OTC]; Rhinall [OTC]; Sudafed PE® Children's [OTC]; Sudafed PE® [OTC]; Sudogest™ PE [OTC]; Triaminic Thin Strips® Children’s Cold with Stuffy Nose [OTC]; Triaminic Thin Strips® Cold [OTC] [DSC]; Tronolane® Suppository [OTC]; Vicks® Sinex® Nasal Spray [OTC] [DSC]; Vicks® Sinex® UltraFine Mist [OTC] [DSC]; Vicks® Sinex® VapoSpray 4-Hour™ Decongestant [OTC]

Dionephrine®; Mydfrin®; Neo-Synephrine®

Afrinex infantil; Bregamin; Bremagan Flu; Coldaid; Flavit AV; Fluviatol NF

Alpha/Beta Agonist; Ophthalmic Agent, Antiglaucoma; Ophthalmic Agent, Mydriatic

• Talk with healthcare provider before giving this medicine to a child. Check all of your child's medicines, including over-the-counter, with healthcare provider.

• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.

• If you have an allergy to phenylephrine or any other part of this medicine.

• If you have a sulfite allergy, talk with healthcare provider.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• This medicine is given as a shot into a vein over 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.

• 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.

• 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. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

• 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.

• The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

• 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.

• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

• 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).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 15:03:14.0

Modified: 2010-03-25 12:24:52.0

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