Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
nasal spray
- 0.25%
- 0.5%
- 1%
Nasal Congestion
Instill 2-3 sprays or 2-3 gtt q4hr of 0.25-0.1% solution PRN; not to exceed 3 days
Dosage Forms & Strengths
nasal spray
- 0.25%
- 0.5%
- 1%
Nasal Congestion
<2 years
- Consult a physician
2-6 years
- 1-3 gtt intranasally q2-4hr of 0.125% solution PRN; not to exceed 3 days
6-12 years
- 2-3 gtt intranasally q4hr of 0.25% solution PRN; not to exceed 3 days
>12 years old
- Instill 1-2 sprays or 1-2 gtt intranasally q4hr of 0.25-0.1% solution PRN; not to exceed 3 days
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (1)
- zavegepant intranasal
phenylephrine nasal will decrease the level or effect of zavegepant intranasal by Other (see comment). Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Avoid coadministration of intranasal decongestants with zavegepant intranasal. If unavoidable, administer intranasal decongestants at least 1 hr after zavegepant.
Monitor Closely (2)
- nicotine intranasal
phenylephrine nasal decreases levels of nicotine intranasal by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Nasal vasoconstrictors prolong the time to peak concentrations by ~40% and decreases peak concentration by ~20%.
- safinamide
phenylephrine nasal and safinamide both increase sympathetic (adrenergic) effects, including increased blood pressure and heart rate. Use Caution/Monitor. Monitor patients for hypertension if safinamide is prescribed concomitantly with prescription or nonprescription sympathomimetics, including nasal, oral, or ophthalmic decongestants and cold remedies.
Minor (0)
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Stinging
Dryness
Rebound congestion
Sneezing
Burning
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to product or excipients
Use for >3 days
Cautions
Rebound congestion may occur
Temporary discomfort such as burning, stinging, sneezing, or an increase in nasal discharge may occur
Use of container by more than one person may spread infection
Use only as directed; frequent or prolonged use may cause nasal congestion to recur or worsen
Ask a healthcare professional before in heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland
Stop use and ask healthcare professional if symptoms persist
Stop use if symptoms persist
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: C
Lactation: not known if excreted in breast milk
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Alpha adrenergic agonist; stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors in nasal conjunctiva and arterioles to produce vasoconstriction that results in nasal decongestion
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: Minimal systemic
Duration: 2.5 - 4 hr
Onset: < 2 min
Images
BRAND | FORM. | UNIT PRICE | PILL IMAGE |
---|---|---|---|
phenylephrine ophthalmic (eye) - | 10 % drops | ![]() | |
phenylephrine ophthalmic (eye) - | 2.5 % drops | ![]() | |
phenylephrine ophthalmic (eye) - | 10 % drops | ![]() | |
phenylephrine ophthalmic (eye) - | 2.5 % drops | ![]() | |
phenylephrine ophthalmic (eye) - | 2.5 % drops | ![]() | |
Vazculep injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
Vazculep injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
Vazculep injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
Vazculep injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
Vazculep injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
Wal-Four nasal - | 1 % liquid | ![]() | |
Wal-Four nasal - | 1 % liquid | ![]() | |
Neo-Synephrine (phenylephrine) nasal - | 1 % liquid | ![]() | |
Neo-Synephrine (phenylephrine) nasal - | 1 % liquid | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
phenylephrine injection - | 10 mg/mL vial | ![]() | |
Nasal Decongestant (phenylephrine) oral - | 10 mg tablet | ![]() | |
Sinus Decongestant (PE) oral - | 10 mg tablet | ![]() | |
Sinus Decongestant (PE) oral - | 10 mg tablet | ![]() | |
Sinus Decongestant (PE) oral - | 10 mg tablet | ![]() | |
4 Way nasal - | 1 % liquid | ![]() | |
Nasal Four nasal - | 1 % liquid | ![]() | |
Ephrine nasal - | 1 % drops | ![]() | |
Wal-phed PE oral - | 10 mg tablet | ![]() | |
Sinus PE Decongestant oral - | 10 mg tablet | ![]() |
Copyright © 2010 First DataBank, Inc.
Patient Handout
phenylephrine ophthalmic (eye)
PHENYLEPHRINE - OPHTHALMIC
(FEN-il-EF-rin)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Mydfrin
USES: This medication is used to dilate the pupils for eye examinations or procedures, and to treat certain eye conditions. It belongs to a class of drugs known as decongestants. Phenylephrine works by narrowing blood vessels.
HOW TO USE: To apply eye drops, wash hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them before using eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes before replacing your contact lenses. Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop into the pouch. Use as often as directed by your doctor. Look downward, gently close your eyes, and place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose). Apply gentle pressure for 1 to 2 minutes before opening your eyes. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink or rub your eye. Repeat these steps if your dose is for more than one drop. If directed to use this medication in both eyes, repeat these steps for your other eye. Wait several minutes for your vision to clear before driving or operating machinery. Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use.If you are using another kind of eye medication (such as drops or ointments), wait at least 10 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the drops to enter the eye.Use this medication as prescribed to get the most benefit from it.Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
SIDE EFFECTS: Burning or stinging, headache, sensitivity to light, or blurred vision may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: eye pain, irregular heartbeat.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using phenylephrine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as sulfites found in some brands), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: glaucoma (angle-closure type), blood vessel disorders (such as aneurysm).After you apply this drug, your vision may become temporarily blurred. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision until you can do it safely.During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
OVERDOSE: This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store in the refrigerator or at room temperature away from light. Different brands of this medication have different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised December 2022. Copyright(c) 2023 First Databank, Inc.
IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.