Patient Education

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Phenylephrine

(fen il ef' rin)

Brand Name(s): Children's Sudafed PE Nasal Decongestant®, Lusonal®§, PediaCare Children's Decongestant®, Sudafed PE Congestion®, Suphedrin PE®, A Tan 12x Suspension® (as a combination product containing Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, AccuHist® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), AccuHist PDX® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Actifed Cold and Allergy® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Advil Congestion Relief® (as a combination product containing Ibuprofen, Phenylephrine), Aerohist Plus® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)§, Aerokid® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)¶, Ah Chew® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Ah Chew Ultra® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, Methscopolamine)§, Alahist DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Alahist LQ® (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine), Albatussin NN® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine, Potassium Guaiacolsulfonate, Pyrilamine)§, Aldex CT® (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine), Aldex D® (as a combination product containing Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine), Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough Formula® (as a combination product containing Aspirin, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Alka-Seltzer Plus Day and Night Cold Formulas® (as a combination product containing Aspirin, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Alka-Seltzer Plus Day Non-Drowsy Cold Formula® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Alka-Seltzer Plus Fast Powder Packs® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Alka-Seltzer Plus Flu Formula® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Cold Formula® (as a combination product containing Aspirin, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Phenylephrine), Alka-Seltzer Plus Sinus Formula® (as a combination product containing Aspirin, Phenylephrine), Alka-Seltzer Plus Sparkling Original Cold Formula® (as a combination product containing Aspirin, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Allerest PE® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Allergy DN PE® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)§, AlleRx® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Amerituss AD® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)¶, Aquatab C® (as a combination product containing Carbetapentane, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Aridex® (as a combination product containing Carbetapentane, Carbinoxamine, Phenylephrine)¶, B Vex D® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Balacall DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)¶, Baltussin HC® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine)¶, Benadryl-D Allergy Plus Sinus® (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine), Betatan® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Carbetapentane, Phenylephrine)§, Biotuss® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, BPM PE DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Bromaphedrine D® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Bromhist PDX® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Bromtuss DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Broncopectol® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)¶, Bronkids® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Brontuss DX® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Brontuss SF® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Brotapp PE-DM Cough and Cold® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Brovex D® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Brovex PEB® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine), Brovex PEB DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), C Phen® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, C Phen DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Cardec DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Centergy® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Centergy DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Centussin DHC® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dihydrocodeine, Phenylephrine)§, Ceron® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Ceron DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Cerose DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)¶, Children's Dimetapp Cold and Allergy® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine), Children's Dimetapp Cold and Cough® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Children's Dimetapp Multisymptom Cold and Flu® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Children's Dimetapp Nighttime Cold and Congestion® (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine), Children's Mucinex Multi-Symptom Cold® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Children's Mucinex Stuffy Nose and Cold® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Children's Robitussin Cough and Cold CF® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Children's Sudafed PE Cold and Cough® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Chlordex GP® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Codal-DM® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)¶, Codimal DM® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)¶, Comtrex Cold and Cough Day/Night® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Comtrex Cold and Cough Non-Drowsy® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Contac Cold and Flu® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Phenylephrine), Corfen DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Coryza DM® (as a combination product containing Dexchlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Dallergy Drops® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Dallergy PE® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)§, Decon E® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Decon G® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Deconex® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)¶, Dehistine® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)§, Despec® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Despec NR® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Donatuss DC® (as a combination product containing Dihydrocodeine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Donatussin® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Donatussin DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Donatussin MAX® (as a combination product containing Carbinoxamine, Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine)¶, Dristan Cold Multi-Symptom Formula® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Dryphen® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)¶, Duravent-DPB® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Dynatuss EX® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, EndaCof-DH® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dihydrocodeine, Phenylephrine), EndaCof-Plus® (as a combination product containing Dexchlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine)¶, Endacon DM® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Endal CD® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine), Endal HD® (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine)§, Entex LA® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Entex LQ® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Excedrin Sinus Headache® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Phenylephrine), Execof® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Extendryl® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)§, Genetuss 2® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Gentex LQ® (as a combination product containing Carbetapentane, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Giltuss® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Guiatex PE® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Histadec® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)¶, Histinex HC® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine)¶, Hycomine Compound® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine)¶, J-Max® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), J-Tan D PD® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Lartus® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phelyephrine)§, Levall® (as a combination product containing Carbetapentane, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Liquibid D-R® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Liquibid PD-R® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Lohist-DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, LoHist-PEB® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine), LoHist-PEB-DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Lortuss HC® (as a combination product containing Hydrocodone, Phenylephrine)¶, Lusair® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)¶, Lusonex® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Maxiphen® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Maxiphen ADT® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Mintuss DR® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Montephen® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, MyHist DM® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Naldex® (as a combination product containing Dexchlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Nariz® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)¶, Nasohist® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Nasohist DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Neo DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, NoHist® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, NoHist-DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), NoHist-LQ® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Norel DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Norel SR® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, Phenyltoloxamine)§, Notuss-PE® (as a combination product containing Codeine, Phenylephrine), Novahistine® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)¶, Omnihist II LA® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)§, Oratuss® (as a combination product containing Carbetapentane, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, PediaCare Children's Allergy and Cold® (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine), PediaCare Children's Fever Reducer Plus Flu® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), PediaCare Children's Fever Reducer Plus Multi-Symptom Cold® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), PediaCare Children's Multi-Symptom Cold® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Phenabid® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Phencarb GG® (as a combination product containing Carbetapentane, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Phenergan VC® (as a combination product containing Phenylephrine, Promethazine)¶, Poly Hist DHC® (as a combination product containing Dihydrocodeine, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Poly Hist DM® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Poly Hist PD® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Polytan D® (as a combination product containing Dexbrompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Polytan DM® (as a combination product containing Dexbrompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Poly-Tussin AC® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine), Poly-Tussin DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Poly-Tussin EX® (as a combination product containing Dihydrocodeine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Prolex PD® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Prometh VC® (as a combination product containing Phenylephrine, Promethazine), Promethazine VC® (as a combination product containing Phenylephrine, Promethazine), Protid® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)¶, Pyrlex PD® (as a combination product containing Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Quartuss® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Quartuss DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Quintex® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Re Allergy AM/PM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)§, Re Drylex® (as a combination product containing Dexchlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)§, Redur PCM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Relcof PE® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)§, RemeHist DM® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, RemeTussin DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Rescon® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)§, Respa PE® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, RespaHist II® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Resperal® (as a combination product containing Dexchlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)¶, Rhinabid® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, RhinaHist® (as a combination product containing Dexchlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)¶, Rinate® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)¶, Robitussin Cough and Cold CF® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Robitussin Night Time Cough and Cold® (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine), Robitussin Night Time Cough, Cold, and Flu® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Rondex® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)¶, R-Tanna® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Ryna® (as a combination product containing Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Rynatan® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Rynatuss® (as a combination product containing Carbetapentane, Chlorpheniramine, Ephedrine, Phenylephrine)§, Ry-Tuss® (as a combination product containing Carbetapentane, Chlorpheniramine, Ephedrine, Phenylephrine)§, ScopoHist® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)§, Seradex® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Sildec PE DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Sine-Off Cough/Cold® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Sine-Off Non-Drowsy® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Phenylephrine), Sine-Off Severe Cold® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Sine-Off Sinus/Cold® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Sinutuss DM® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Sinuvent PE® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Sitrex® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Sonahist® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Sonahist DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Statuss DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Sudafed PE Cold/Cough® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Sudafed PE Day/Night Cold® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Diphenhydramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Sudafed PE Day/Night Congestion® (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine), Sudafed PE Non-Drying Sinus® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Sudafed PE Pressure/Pain® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Phenylephrine), Sudafed PE Severe Cold® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine), Sudafed PE Sinus/Allergy® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Sudafed PE Triple Action® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Sympak PDX® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)§, Tanabid® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Tannate® (as a combination product containing Carbetapentane, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Theraflu Cold and Cough® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Pheniramine, Phenylephrine), Theraflu Cold and Sore Throat® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Pheniramine, Phenylephrine), Theraflu Daytime Severe Cold and Cough® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Theraflu Flu and Sore Throat® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Pheniramine, Phenylephrine), Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine), Theraflu Sinus and Cold® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Pheniramine, Phenylephrine), Trexbrom® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Carbetapentane, Phenylephrine)§, Triall® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Methscopolamine, Phenylephrine)§, Triaminic Chest and Nasal Congestion® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Triaminic Cold and Allergy® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Triaminic Day Time Cold and Cough® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Triaminic Night Time Cold and Cough® (as a combination product containing Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine), Triplex DM® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Trital DM® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Tritan® (as a combination product containing Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Trituss® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Tusdec DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§, Tussafed EX® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Tussbid® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Tussi 12D® (as a combination product containing Carbetapentane, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Tussi Pres® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Tussidex® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Tussin CF® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Tylenol Allergy Multi-Symptom® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Tylenol Allergy Multi-Symptom Nighttime® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine), Tylenol Cold and Flu Severe® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Nighttime® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Severe® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Tylenol Sinus Congestion and Pain Daytime® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Phenylephrine), Tylenol Sinus Congestion and Pain Nighttime® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine), Tylenol Sinus Congestion and Pain Severe® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), V Tann® (as a combination product containing Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Vanacof CD® (as a combination product containing Dexchlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Vazobid® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Vazotan® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Carbetapentane, Phenylephrine)¶, V-Cof® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Carbetapentane, Phenylephrine)§, V-Hist® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§, Vicks DayQuil Cold and Flu Relief® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Vicks DayQuil Cold and Flu Symptom Relief Plus Vitamin C® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Vicks DayQuil Sinex Daytime Sinus Relief® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Phenylephrine), Vicks Formula 44 Custom Care Congestion® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Vicks NyQuil Sinex Nighttime Sinus Relief® (as a combination product containing Acetaminophen, Doxylamine, Phenylephrine), Vicks VapoSyrup Severe Congestion® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Viratan DM® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Viravan DM® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Viravan T® (as a combination product containing Phenylephrine, Pyrilamine)§, Visonex® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Wellbid D® (as a combination product containing Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§, Y-Cof DMX® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine), Z-Dex® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine), Zotex® (as a combination product containing Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§; also available generically

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Phenylephrine is used to relieve nasal discomfort caused by colds, allergies, and hay fever. It is also used to relieve sinus congestion and pressure. Phenylephrine will relieve symptoms but will not treat the cause of the symptoms or speed recovery. Phenylephrine is in a class of medications called nasal decongestants. It works by reducing swelling of the blood vessels in the nasal passages.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Phenylephrine comes as a tablet, a liquid, or a dissolving strip to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 4 hours as needed. Follow the directions on your prescription label or the package label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take phenylephrine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor or directed on the label.

Phenylephrine comes alone and in combination with other medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which product is best for your symptoms. Check nonprescription cough and cold product labels carefully before using two or more products at the same time. These products may contain the same active ingredient(s) and taking them together could cause you to receive an overdose. This is especially important if you will be giving cough and cold medications to a child.

Nonprescription cough and cold combination products, including products that contain phenylephrine, can cause serious side effects or death in young children. Do not give these products to children younger than 4 years of age. If you give these products to children 4 to 11 years of age, use caution and follow the package directions carefully.

If you are giving phenylephrine or a combination product that contains phenylephrine to a child, read the package label carefully to be sure that it is the right product for a child of that age. Do not give phenylephrine products that are made for adults to children.

Before you give a phenylephrine product to a child, check the package label to find out how much medication the child should receive. Give the dose that matches the child's age on the chart. Ask the child's doctor if you don't know how much medication to give the child.

If you are taking the liquid, do not use a household spoon to measure your dose. Use the measuring spoon or cup that came with the medication or use a spoon made especially for measuring medication.

If your symptoms do not get better within 7 days or if you have a fever, stop taking phenylephrine and call your doctor.

If you are taking the dissolving strips, place one strip on your tongue and allow it to dissolve.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before taking phenylephrine,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to phenylephrine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in phenylephrine preparations.

  • do not take phenylephrine if you are taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or if you have stopped taking one of these medications within the past 2 weeks.

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, diabetes, trouble urinating because of an enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid or heart disease.

  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking phenylephrine, call your doctor.

  • if you have phenylketonuria (PKU, an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent damage to your brain that can cause severe intellectual disability), you should know that some phenylephrine products may be sweetened with aspartame, a source of phenylalanine.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

This medication is usually taken as needed. If your doctor has told you to take phenylephrine regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Phenylephrine may cause side effects. Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using phenylephrine and call your doctor:

  • nervousness
  • dizziness
  • sleeplessness

Phenylephrine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about phenylephrine.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.

§ These products are not currently approved by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, and quality. Federal law generally requires that prescription drugs in the U.S. be shown to be both safe and effective prior to marketing. Please see the FDA website for more information on unapproved drugs (http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm213030.htm) and the approval process (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm054420.htm).