Phenylephrine (Injection)

Introduction:

Phenylephrine (fen-il-EF-rin)

Treats low blood pressure during surgery, shock, or allergic reaction. Also used to correct certain types of uneven heartbeat (paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia), and helps other medicines work better.

Brand Name(s):

Neo-Synephrine HCl

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Tell your doctor if you are using a medicine for depression such as amitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline, Elavil®, Pamelor®, or Sinequan®. Also tell your doctor if you are using an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®. Make sure your doctor knows if you have recently been given other medicines to increase your blood pressure.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you are sensitive to sulfites. Tell your doctor if you have asthma, an overactive thyroid, or any heart problems.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Feeling of fullness in your head.
• Tingling in your hands or feet.
• Unusually fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Anxiety, or restlessness.
• Headache.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: