What is phenylephrine nasal?
Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood
vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
Phenylephrine nasal is used to treat nasal congestion and sinus pressure caused by allergies, the
common cold, or the flu. Phenylephrine may be used to treat congestion of the tubes that drain fluid
from your inner ears, called the eustachian (yoo-STAY-shun) tubes.
Phenylephrine nasal may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking phenylephrine nasal?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to phenylephrine.
Do not use phenylephrine nasal if you have used linezolid (Zyvox) or procarbazine
(Matulane), or if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as furazolidone
(Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl,
Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can
occur if you use phenylephrine before these other drugs have cleared from your body.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use
this medication. Before using phenylephrine nasal, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
decongestants, or if you have:
-
heart disease, high blood , heart rhythm disorder;
-
high blood pressure;
-
diabetes;
-
glaucoma;
-
a thyroid disorder; or
-
an enlarged prostate or urination problems.
FDA pregnancy category C. Is not known whether this medication will
harm an unborn baby. Before using phenylephrine nasal, tell doctor if you are pregnant.
Phenylephrine nasal may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use
this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.
How should I take phenylephrine nasal?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your
doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. Cold
medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old.
Always ask a
doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child.
Death can occur from the misuse
of cough or cold medicine in very young children.
Phenylephrine nasal is usually used every 4 hours. Follow the directions on the medicine label.
Never use more of this medicine than directed on the label or prescribed by your
doctor.
Using phenylephrine nasal too long can damage the lining of your nasal passages and
lead to chronic nasal congestion.
Gently blow your nose to clear any mucus before using this medication.
To use the nasal spray, insert the tip of the spray bottle into your nostril, past the middle of the
inside of your nose (the nasal septum). Gently press your other nostril closed with your finger.
Keep your head upright, and squeeze the bottle while breathing in deeply through your nose.
Sniff quickly a few times to get the medicine deep into your nasal passages.
Repeat these steps to use the medicine in your other nostril if needed.
After each use, clean the tip of the spray bottle with a clean tissue or rinse it with hot water,
making sure that no water gets into the medicine bottle. Keep the cap on the bottle when not in use.
To use the nasal drops, lie on your back with your head tilted back. Insert the correct number
of drops and remain lying in this position for several minutes. Gently turn your head from side to side.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 days of using phenylephrine
nasal, or if they get worse and you also have a fever.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have used
phenylephrine nasal within the past few days.
Store phenylephrine nasal at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
To prevent the spread of infection, do not share this medication with anyone else.
What happens if I miss a dose of phenylephrine nasal?
Since phenylephrine nasal is usually used only when needed, you may not be on a dosing
schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, apply the missed dose as soon as you remember.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and apply the medicine at your next
regularly scheduled time.
Do not
use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about phenylephrine nasal?
Your pharmacist has information about phenylephrine nasal written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of phenylephrine nasal?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using phenylephrine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such
as:
-
severe sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, redness or swelling in your
nose, or other worsening nasal symptoms (may be a sign of overuse of phenylephrine nasal);
-
severe stinging, burning, or irritation inside your nose;
-
severe dizziness, restless feeling, nervousness, or insomnia;
-
mood changes, unusual thoughts or behavior;
-
feeling like you might pass out;
-
slow, fast, or pounding heartbeat;
-
tremors or shaking; or
-
urinating less than usual or not at all.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
temporary sneezing;
-
mild burning, dryness, cold feeling, or irritation inside your
nose;
-
headache, dizziness, weakness;
-
sweating, nausea;
-
feeling excited or restless (especially in children); or
-
mild sleep problems.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about phenylephrine nasal?
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old.
Always ask a
doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child.
Death can occur from the misuse
of cough or cold medicine in very young children.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to phenylephrine.
Do not use phenylephrine nasal if you have used linezolid (Zyvox) or procarbazine
(Matulane), or if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as furazolidone
(Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl,
Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can
occur if you use phenylephrine before these other drugs have cleared from your body.
Before using phenylephrine nasal, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any decongestants, or if
you have heart disease, heart rhythm disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, a thyroid
disorder, or an enlarged prostate or urination problems.
Phenylephrine may interact with heart or blood pressure medications, antidepressants, diabetes
medications, and other decongestants.
Never use more of this medicine than directed on the label or prescribed by
your doctor.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 days of using phenylephrine
nasal, or if they get worse and you also have a fever. Using phenylephrine nasal too long can damage
the lining of your nasal passages and lead to chronic nasal congestion.
What should I avoid while taking phenylephrine nasal?
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or cough medication without first
asking your doctor or pharmacist. Phenylephrine is contained in many medicines available over the
counter. If you use certain products together you may accidentally get too much phenylephrine. Read
the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains phenylephrine or another decongestant.
What other drugs will affect phenylephrine nasal?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
-
other decongestants;
-
medicine to treat diabetes;
-
medicines to treat high blood pressure such as reserpine,
guanethidine (Ismelin), methyldopa (Aldomet), and others; or
-
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil),
clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
phenylephrine nasal. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications,
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new
medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of phenylephrine nasal?
