Phenylephrine

This page contains recent news articles, when available, and an overview of Phenylephrine but does not offer medical advice. You should contact your physician with regard to any health issues or concerns.

Overview:

Phenylephrine (when available)

Pharmacology and use:
Phenylephrine is a powerful vasoconstrictor. It is used as a mydriatic, nasal decongestant, and cardiotonic agent. Phenylephrine is a postsynaptic alpha-receptor stimulant with little effect on the beta receptors of the heart. Parenteral administration of Phenylephrine causes a rise in systolic and diastolic pressures, cardiac output is slightly decreased and peripheral resistance is considerably increased, most vascular beds are constricted; renal, splanchnic, cutaneous, and limb blood flows are reduced but coronary blood flow is increased. Pulmonary vessels are constricted, and pulmonary arterial pressure is raised. This alpha receptor sympathetic agonist is also used locally because its vasoconstrictor and mydriatic action. For the treatment of ophthalmic disorders (hyperaemia of conjunctiva, posterior synechiae, acute atopic), nasal congestion, hemorrhoids, hypotension, shock, hypotension during spinal anesthesia, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. It is also used as an aid in the diagnosis of heart murmurs and for prolongation of spinal anesthesia

Mechanism Of Action:
Phenylephrine produces its ophthalmic and systemic actions by acting on alpha 1 adrenergic receptors in the pupillary dilator muscle and the vascular smooth musle, resulting in contraction of the dilator muscle and contraction of the smooth muscle in the arterioles of the conjunctiva and peripheral vasoconstriction. Phenylephrine decreases nasal congestion by acting on alpha 1 adrenergic receptors in the arterioles of the nasal mucosa to produce constriction.

News Articles on Phenylephrine

Heptaminol? Where do they even find this stuff  -  Jul 28, 2008
...(Phenylephrine is incidentally not on the list of prohibited substances.) Why not NoDoze? (Caffeine is also not on the list.) I doubt those would work ScienceBlogs

Family health ... take charge! Virus for common cold never takes ...  -  Jul 27, 2008
Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are two decongestants that are of special concern. These stimulant drugs can cause an increased heart rate. Memphis Commercial Appeal,

We studied the pharmacology of l-methamphetamine, the less abused ...  -  Jul 21, 2008
In a separate session intravenous phenylephrine (200 ug) and l-methamphetamine (5 mg) were given to define alpha agonist pharmacology and bioavailability. 7thSpace Interactive (press release),

Wrap Your Mind Around Octopus Syndrome  -  Jul 14, 2008
If a patient is in hypotensive shock, phenylephrine, a pure alfa adrenergic agonist, may be used. This drug increases blood pressure without increasing Nurse.com,

8�?医生自己都�?��?的西�?�  -  Jul 15, 2008
...�?�光眼的人�?用此�?��?�症状也会�?�严�?。解决之�?��?�用�?�有phenylephrine 大纪元

Does Preparation H Shrink Love Handles, Too?  -  Jun 12, 2008
Here's how: Preparation H's active ingredient is phenylephrine, a natural vasoconstrictor, which means it constricts blood vessels. Newsweek

Online database keeps meth makers from pharmacy hopping  -  Jul 1, 2008
Rather than purchase products with pseudoephedrin, you can buy over the counter meds with phenylephrine instead. They basically work the same way. KFSM,

Rectal cream gets you ripped  -  Jun 4, 2008
...“The topical solution contains a medication called phenylephrine HCL, which shrinks the swollen tissues of hemorrhoids,�? Fox News wrote. inthemix,

Influence of Angiotensin-I-Converting-Enzyme Insertion/Deletion ...  -  Jun 25, 2008
Since this polymorphism has been linked with increased vascular response to phenylephrine during cardiopulmonary bypass (CFB), we investigated its possible RedOrbit,

Learn about the World Ophthalmic Pharmaceutical Drugs Market  -  Jun 27, 2008
II-36 Antihistamines II-37 Phenylephrine II-37 Naphazoline II-37 Xylometazoline II-37 Astringents II-37 Over-The-Counter Ophthalmic Preparations II-38 A Market Wire (press release)

Sexual Arousal Dependent On Flow Of Potassium Ions In Brain Cells  -  Jun 12, 2008
Estradiol modulation of phenylephrine-induced excitatory responses in ventromedial hypothalamic neurons of female rats. Proceedings of the National Academy Science Daily (press release)

Attorney general set to take legal action against Rite Aid  -  Jun 20, 2008
...including acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, diphenhydramine, pheniramine, and guaifenesin. Zicam is an over-the-counter Fulton Valley News (subscription),

Don't Let Allergies And Asthma Ruin Your Summer  -  Jun 5, 2008
Decongestants:Available over-the counter these oral and nasal medications include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) and Boston Channel.com,

Preparation H Finds Place in Club Circuit  -  02 Jun 2008
Preparation H contains a medication called phenylephrine HCL that -- when used for the drug's intended purpose -- will shrink the swollen tissues of ABC News

Advances in Glaucoma Treatment  -  May 30, 2008
On the basis of phenylephrine testing, which increased the margin-reflex distance by over 1.0 mm, the report concluded that the phenomenon resulted from Medscape (subscription)

Ischemic Preconditioning During the Use of the Percusurge ...  -  May 22, 2008
Dopamine was used as the primary agent for hypotension; supplemental phenylephrine or norepinephrine was administered for refractory hypotension. Abkhazia,

The great medicine rip-off  -  May 12, 2008
...such as Nytol), decongestants such as phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine and so-called "expectorants" to loosen mucus, such as guaifenesin. Irish Independent,

Allergies: Things You Can Do to Control Your Symptoms  -  May 6, 2008
Decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine help temporarily relieve the stuffy nose of allergies. Decongestants are found in many medicines NTV,

Cough medicines still OTC  -  Apr 21, 2008
...the antitussives dextromethorphan and pholcodine; the expectorants guaifenesin and ipecacuanha; and the decongestants phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine. 6minutes,

'Proud Hands' Book Released to Benefit the American Parkinson ...  -  Apr 21, 2008
...amphetamines, cold remedies containing decongestants and weight-reducing preparations containing pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, PR Newswire (press release),

"Energy boosters" can carry risks  -  Apr 20, 2008
Ephedra and related compounds such as phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, epinephrine, and phenylephrine don't enhance athletic performance, nor do they provide Denver Post,

The great medicine rip-off  -  Apr 14, 2008
...decongestants such as phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine (which can be used to synthesise "crystal meth" by those with a little biochemical know-how) and Independent,

- Redford Givens, webmaster, DRCNet Online Library of Drug Policy  -  Apr 18, 2008
Vicks Nyquil (Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, propylephedrine, phenylephrine, or desoxyephedrine) create erroneous indications for amphetamines. Amador Ledger-Dispatch,

Dual immunosuppression enhances vasomotor injury: Interactive ...  -  Mar 28, 2008
After mounting the vessel on a pressure transducer, maximum vasoconstriction was achieved with exposure to phenylephrine. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

What's in a name?  -  Apr 7, 2008
Designed to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu, most Lemsip products offer a combination of a nasal decongestant called phenylephrine and the painkiller Guardian,

Cough and Cold Syrups: Why Bother?  -  Apr 16, 2008
...have a laxative effect or cause diarrhoea, and elsewhere claims that Dimetapp contains a decongestant containing phenylephrine (www.dimetapp.com.au) . Natural News.com,

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY FDA on the hot seat over heparin horror  -  Mar 30, 2008
A: There is considerable controversy about the effectiveness of the readily available oral decongestant phenylephrine (Annals of Pharmacotherapy, Houston Chronicle,

Kids and Colds: Health Life 4/1/08  -  Apr 1, 2008
54 reports of deaths in children associated with decongestant medicines made with pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or ephedrine and 69 reported deaths KCRG,

Children's cough remedies removed from shelves  -  Mar 31, 2008
...diphenhydramine, dextromethorphan, pholcodine, guaifenesin, ipecacuanha, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, oxymetazoline and xylometazoline. Isle of Man Today,

Cough medicines for children removed from shelves  -  Mar 28, 2008
Products containing the expectorants guaifenesin and ipecacuanha and the decongestants phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, oxymetazoline and Nursing Times,

'Lethal' cold medicines are still common in SA  -  Mar 27, 2008
...cough suppressants dextrometorphan and pholcodine; expectorants guaifenesin and ipecacuanha and decongestants phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, Pretoria News (subscription),

UK watchdog bans use of cough medicines in under-twos  -  Mar 27, 2008
...guaifenesin, ipecacuanha, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, oxymetazoline or xylometazoline may no longer be marketed for this age group. Pharma Times (subscription),

Infant Cough And Cold Remedies Taken Off Shelves In UK  -  Mar 27, 2008
...dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, ephedrine, guaifenesin, ipecacuanha, phenylephrine, pholcodine, pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline, and xylometazoline. Medical News Today,

Six child cough medicines banned amid overdose fears  -  Mar 27, 2008
They are brompheniramine; chlorphenamine; diphenhydramine; dextromethorphan; pholcodine; guaifenesin; ipecacuanha; phenylephrine; pseudoephedrine; OnMedica,

Progress in Resuscitation An Evolution, Not a Revolution  -  12 Mar 2008
Myocardial oxygen delivery/consumption during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a comparison of epinephrine and phenylephrine. Ann Emerg Med. Journal of American Medical Association (subscription),

Hemodynamic Management After Spinal Cord Injury  -  Mar 10, 2008
Phenylephrine is a direct-acting vasopressor that solely acts on a 1 receptors, resulting in systemic vasoconstriction. Without concomitant b-agonism, Ortho SuperSite,

Link Between Hemorrhoids And High Blood Pressure: Prep H  -  Feb 21, 2008
A: One of the active ingredients in Preparation H is phenylephrine, a vasoconstrictor. This is the same drug that is used as a decongestant in some nasal Hartford Courant,

Alternatives to infant cold medication  -  Feb 15, 2008
The FDA review found that chemicals in the cold medicines marketed for young children — dextrapremorphine, pseudophedrine and phenylephrine — can be Columbia Missourian,

Health Watch: Why babies can light up your life  -  Mar 2, 2008
...relief for a swollen, congested nasal passage, decongestant nasal sprays such as oxymetazoline (Afrin) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) may be helpful. Daily News Transcript,

Heart palpitations very common but can be serious  -  Feb 17, 2008
Beware of over-the-counter decongestant medications that contain pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. Make sure you eat regularly (low blood sugar can cause Chicago Daily Herald,

Are Cold Remedies Enough to Raise Blood Pressure?  -  Feb 12, 2008
Blame adrenergic compounds such as pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine and phenylpropanolamine (also known as PPA), for the blood pressure problem, Costa says. TamilStar.com,

Blue Hives  -  07 Feb 2008
She was treated with intravenous phenylephrine (50 mg), had an uneventful recovery, and was discharged home 4 hours later. Blue hives occur in up to 1.5% of New England Journal of Medicine (subscription),

Anti-doping: A Guide for Prescribers  -  07 Feb 2008
Buproprion, caffeine, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine and phenylpropanolamine are not prohibited and are instead monitored in-competition by WADA in order to Irish Medical Times,

What types of OTC eye-care products are there?  -  Feb 6, 2008
Phenylephrine is the most common decongestant for this purpose. Patients with angle-closure glaucoma should cautiously use phenylephrine because it can TamilStar.com,

Hold that tissue!  -  Feb 3, 2008
It's unclear whether phenylephrine, the nasal decongestant that has replaced pseudoephedrine in many of the multisymptom cold medicines, poses the same risk Chicago Daily Herald,

Pekin looks to prevent major meth resurgence  -  Feb 4, 2008
Some drug companies have reformulated their medicines by taking out the meth-making ingredient and replacing it with phenylephrine, which Olejnik said isn't Peoria Journal Star,

Cold Meds Not Safe for Kids Under 2, FDA Warns  -  Jan 17, 2008
...and September 2006 found 54 reports of deaths in children associated with decongestant medicines made with pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or ephedrine. U.S. News & World Report,

Chemists forced to remove pills  -  Jan 29, 2008
They are replacing them with cold and flu pills containing phenylephrine, which also acts as a decongestant but cannot be used to manufacture illegal drugs. Sunshine Coast Daily,

Some cold medications not recommended for children  -  Jan 25, 2008
54 reports of deaths in children associated with decongestant medicines made with pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or ephedrine and 69 reported deaths News 8 Austin,

Cough Medicines Dogged by Efficacy Concerns for Adults, Too  -  Jan 23, 2008
No greater benefit for children with the combination of brompheniramine, phenylephrine, and propanolamine compared with placebo or no treatment. MedPage Today,

Children Under Two should not be given Cough Syrup  -  Jan 17, 2008
...or disperse mucus): bromhexine Decongestants (medicines that shrink swollen membranes in the nose): pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine Cough suppressants Scoop.co.nz,

FDA Repeats Warning on Cold Medicines in Infants  -  Jan 17, 2008
Also in October, the FDA said it had 54 reports of death in children linked to decongestants containing the ingredients pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine and eFluxMedia

FDA scrutinizes cold drug ingredients  -  Oct 23, 2007
Manufacturers recently switched to the ingredient phenylephrine from pseudoephedrine after passage of a law requiring all pseudoephedrine products be kept BusinessWeek

It's Hard to Heed the Experts When Your Kid Has the Cold  -  Oct 22, 2007
If you don't know your phenylephrine from your acetaminophen, you can deliver more potency than you had intended by unknowingly combining products with Wall Street Journal

Another Round of Meds Gets Pulled from Shelves  -  Nov 1, 2007
Others brands contain phenylephrine, a nasal decongestant that can cause heart palpitations. Pseudoephedrine, a central nervous system stimulant used to The Santa Barbara Independent,

People;s Pharmacy: Easing cold symptoms  -  Nov 16, 2007
The oral decongestant phenylephrine has now replaced pseudoephedrine in many cold medicines. It may be less likely to produce hallucinations in children, Buffalo News,

Beechams launches Active Cold Relief Caplets  -  Nov 1, 2007
...premium recommended selling price of £3.49 for 14 caplets (GSL). They contain paracetamol (500 mg), caffeine (25 mg) and phenylephrine hydrochloride (5 mg). Talking Retail,

Common sense for the common cold  -  Nov 11, 2007
Decongestants typically include phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine. In rare circumstances, the medicines can depress breathing, trigger hallucinations, commercialappeal.com (subscription),

Thumbs down for cough mixture  -  Oct 24, 2007
...decongestants like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine; expectorants like guaifenesin; and antihistamines like brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine maleate, ABC Online,

UPDATE: FDA Panel Studying Children's Cold Medicine Safety  -  Oct 18, 2007
54 reports of deaths in children linked to decongestants containing the ingredients pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine and ephedrine from 1969 to Sept. CNNMoney.com

Cold Medicines and Drug Results  -  Nov 2, 2007
Drugs such as pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylephrine are commonly used as decongestants in OTC cold and flu medicines or as appetite suppressants. Abkhazia,

Wrong Dosage Measures Draws Wyeth Children's Medicines Recall  -  Oct 31, 2007
It is especially the case for cough and cold medicine for children containing specific decongestants, like: pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or ephedrine, eFluxMedia

Removal of Objects From Ears, Nose, or Throat of Children Reviewed  -  Oct 26, 2007
Before removal, 0.5% phenylephrine should be used to reduce edema, and topical lidocaine should be used to provide analgesia. Techniques include forceps Medscape (subscription)

‘Super' meth labs in Mexico replacing amateur labs north of border  -  Oct 24, 2007
Meanwhile, some pharmaceutical companies have reformulated their over-the-counter cold medicines, replacing pseudoephedrine with phenylephrine -- a milder Ely Daily Times,

Kids & Cold Drugs: Questions, Answers  -  Oct 22, 2007
Second are the decongestants, pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. Third is the expectorant, guaifenesin. And fourth are the antihistamines: brompheniramine, WebMD

Cold comfort: What medicine is safe for your kid?  -  Oct 21, 2007
Products that contain decongestants such as pseudophederine, phenylephrine and ephedrine should not be taken. Antihistamines to avoid in small children Portsmouth Herald News,

Recall on Children's Cold Medicine: Advisory Committee Urges Ban  -  Oct 19, 2007
...and September 2006 found 54 reports of deaths in children associated with decongestant medicines containing pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or ephedrine. About.com - Drugs,

Brand Names/Synonyms:
Phenylephrine is also known by the following brand names and/or synonymsAdrianol; Ak-Dilate; Ak-Nefrin; Alcon Efrin; Alconefrin Nasal Drops 12; Alconefrin Nasal Drops 25; Alconefrin Nasal Drops 50; Alconefrin Nasal Spray 25; Biomydrin; Dilatair; Dimetane; Dionephrine; Doktors; Duration; Fenilefrina [Inn-Spanish]; HSDB 3383; I-Phrine; Isophrim; Isophrin; Isopto Frin; L-Phenylephedrine; L-Phenylephrine; M-Methylaminoethanolphenol; M-Oxedrine; M-Sympathol; M-Sympatol; M-Synephrine; Mesaton; Mesatone; Mesatonum; Metaoxedrin; Metaoxedrine; Metaoxedrinum; Metasympatol; Metasynephrine; Metsatonum; Mezaton; Minims Phenylephrine; Mydfrin; Neo-Synephrine; Neo-Synephrine Nasal Drops; Neo-Synephrine Nasal Jelly; Neo-Synephrine Nasal Spray; Neofrin; Neophryn; Neosynephrine; Nostril; Nostril Spray Pump; Nostril Spray Pump Mild; Ocu-Phrin Sterile Eye Drops; Ocugestrin; Phenoptic; Phenylephrine; Phenylephrine, I-; Phenylephrine, L-; Phenylephrinhydrochlorid; Phenylephrinum [Inn-Latin]; Prefrin; Prefrin Liquifilm; Pyracort D; Relief Eye Drops for Red Eyes; Rhinall; Spersaphrine; Vicks Sinex; Visadron

Drug Category:
Phenylephrine is categorized under the following by the FDA: Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; Cardiotonic Agents; Nasal Decongestants; Sympathomimetics; Vasoconstrictor Agents; Mydriatics; ATC:C01CA06; ATC:R01AA04; ATC:R01AB01; ATC:R01BA03; ATC:S01FB01; ATC:S01GA05

Dosage Forms:
Ophthalmic Solution; Nasal Solution; Solution (IM, IV, IV infusion and subcutaneous); Gel; Cream; Ointment; Suppository

Absorption:
Not Available

Interactions:
-->Interactions for Phenylephrine:

Vasopressors, particularly metaraminol, may cause serious cardiac arrhythmias during halothane anesthesia and therefore should be used only with great caution or not at all.

MAO Inhibitors

The pressor effect of sympathomimetic pressor amines is markedly potentiated in patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI). Therefore, when initiating pressor therapy in these patients, the initial dose should be small and used with due caution. The pressor response of adrenergic agents may also be potentiated by tricyclic antidepressants.

Chemical IUPAC Name:
3-(1-hydroxy-2-methylamino-ethyl)phenol

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