Phenylephrine is a drug to relieve nasal congestion that can be caused by the flu, cough, cold, allergies, sinusitis, or bronchitis.However, this drug cannot cure the disease that causes nasal congestion.
Phenylephrine is a decongestant drug. This drug works by reducing swelling of the blood vessels in the nasal passages. That way, the airway becomes more open and the breath becomes easier. Phenylephrine for nasal congestion is available in tablet and syrup form.
In addition, phenylephrine is also available in the form of eye drops which are used to relieve red eye due to minor irritation and dilate the pupil before eye examinations and eye surgery.
Phenylephrine trademarks: Bodrex Flu & Cough, Cendo Statrol, Conal, Contrexyn Flu, Decolgen Pe, Fludexin, Komix OBH, Mixagrip Flu, Nellco Special OBH PE, OB Combi Cough Cold, Oskadryl, Panadol Flu & Cough, Samcodryl, Wicold
What is Phenylephrine
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Decongestants |
| Benefit | Relieves symptoms of nasal congestion |
| Used by | Adults and children 12 years and over |
| Phenylephrine for pregnant women and nursing mothers | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not known whether phenylephrine is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Shape | Tablets, syrup, eye drops |
Precautions Before Using Phenylephrine
Phenylephrine should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. There are several things that must be considered before using this drug, including:
- Do not use phenylephrine if you are allergic to this drug. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to other decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine or ephedrine.
- Tell your doctor if you are or have recently taken an MAOI antidepressant in the past 14 days. Phenylephrine should not be used by these patients.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had heart and blood vessel disease, heart rhythm disorders, angle-closure glaucoma, mental disorders, diabetes, hypertension, seizures, hyperthyroidism, insomnia, Raynaud's disease, difficulty urinating, or an enlarged prostate.
- Phenylephrine syrup preparations often contain artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, which should not be consumed by people with phenylketonuria.
- Do not give phenylephrine to children younger than 6 years of age without consulting a doctor first.
- Do not use phenylephrine eye drops if you have an infection or injury to your eye, or if you have recently had eye surgery.
- Do not drive or do activities that require alertness while taking phenylephrine, as this medicine can cause dizziness and drowsiness.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction, serious side effects, or overdose after taking phenylephrine.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Phenylephrine
The following are general doses of phenylephrine based on the purpose, form of the drug, and the age of the patient:
Phenylephrine tablets and syrup
Purpose: Overcoming the symptoms of nasal congestion
- Adults and children >12 years old: 10 mg every 4 hours, taken for up to 7 days. The maximum dose is 60 mg per day.
Phenylephrine eye drops
Purpose: Overcoming red eyes due to mild eye irritation
- Adults and children: 0.12% eye drops, given 1 drop per eye. If needed, the use of drops can be repeated every 3-4 hours. Maximum 3 drops per eye.
Purpose: Preparation before eye exam
- Adults and children: 2.5% eye drops, given 1 drop per eye, 15–120 minutes before the start of the procedure.
Purpose: Preparation before eye surgery
- Mature: 2.5–10% eye drops, given 1 drop per eye, 30–60 minutes before the start of the procedure.
- Children >12 years old: 2.5% eye drops, given 1 drop per eye, 30–60 minutes before the start of the procedure. Maximum 3 drops per eye.
How to Use Phenylephrine Correctly
Follow the doctor's recommendations and read the instructions for use listed on the medicine package before using phenylephrine. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor first.
Phenylpherine tablets and syrup should be taken after meals to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers. For phenylpherine syrup, use the measuring spoon included in the package so that the dose consumed is correct.
You can apply the following steps when using phenylpherine eye drops to relieve red eye due to minor eye irritation:
- For contact lens users, remove the contact lenses before using phenylpherine. Contact lenses can be reused 10-15 minutes after using the drug.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after using phenylpherine eye drops.
- Tilt your head, then gently pull the lower eyelid.
- Press the pack to drop the medication onto the eyelid, then blink slowly to spread the medication throughout the eye.
- Give a light massage with your fingers into the eye area for 2-3 minutes so that the medicine is well absorbed.
- Immediately close the medicine package after using it. Avoid touching the tip of the eye drop bottle or packaging. This is to prevent bacteria from entering the eye drop bottle.
Please note that the administration of phenylpherine eye drops for eye examination or eye surgery will be carried out by the treating doctor before the procedure begins.
If you forget to use phenylpherine, it is recommended to use it immediately if the break with the next schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Do not smoke while on treatment with phenylephrine, as it can decrease blood flow and cause side effects.
Store phenylpherine at room temperature. Do not store it in a humid place or in direct sunlight. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Phenylpherine Interactions with Other Drugs
The following are some of the effects of drug interactions that may occur if phenylpherine is used together with other drugs:
- Increased risk of fatal hypertension and hyperthermia when used with MAOI drugs, such as isocarboxid, linezolid, or phenelzine
- Increased risk of arrhythmias when used with quinidine and cardiac glycoside drugs
- Enhanced effect of tricyclic antidepressant drugs
- Potential for adverse drug effects when used with chlorpromazine, phentolamine, or amiodarone
Phenylephrine Side Effects and Dangers
Some of the side effects that may appear after using phenylpherine are:
- Headache and dizziness
- Mild stomach ache
- Nervous
- Hard to sleep
- Shaky
- Fast heart rate
- Cold hands or feet
For phenylephrine eye drops, its use can also cause eye irritation, eye pain and burning, or watery eyes.
Check with your doctor if the side effects above don't go away or get worse. See your doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction to the drug or a more serious side effect, such as:
- Tremor
- Seizures
- Irregular heartbeat
- Changes in behavior and mood, including panic, anxiety, and confusion