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Phenylephrine Hydrochloride

Generic: Phenylephrine Hydrochloride

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
Manufacturer
Hikma
NDC
69315-324
RxCUI
1232651
Route
INTRAVENOUS
ICD-10 indication
I95.2

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About Phenylephrine Hydrochloride

What is this medication?

Phenylephrine hydrochloride is a medication primarily used as a decongestant to relieve nasal discomfort caused by colds, allergies, and hay fever. It works by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages, which reduces swelling and congestion to make breathing easier. While it is often found in over-the-counter cold medicines, it is also available in prescription-strength doses or in combination with other drugs to treat more severe sinus or respiratory symptoms.

In a clinical or hospital setting, this medication is used for several specialized purposes. Healthcare providers use injectable phenylephrine hydrochloride to treat low blood pressure during anesthesia or to manage certain types of shock. Additionally, it is used in the form of eye drops to dilate the pupils for diagnostic examinations or eye surgery. Because it can affect heart rate and blood pressure, it is important to disclose any history of heart disease or hypertension to a doctor before use.

Copay & patient assistance

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for Phenylephrine Hydrochloride. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective Aug 23, 2024

Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Phenylephrine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 2.5% and 10%, is indicated to dilate the pupil. Phenylephrine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution is an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist indicated to dilate the pupil (1)
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For patients 1 year of age and older: (2.1) Apply one drop of Phenylephrine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution (2.5% or 10% strength) to conjunctival fornix at 3 to 5 minute intervals up to a maximum of 3 drops per eye. To obtain a greater degree of mydriasis, use 10% strength For pediatric patients less than 1 year of age: (2.2) Instill one drop of 2.5% strength to conjunctival fornix at 3 to 5 minute intervals up to a maximum of 3 drops per eye 2.1 General Dosing Recommendations In patients 1 year of age or greater, apply one drop of either phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 2.5% or 10% every 3 to 5 minutes to the conjunctival fornix as required up to a maximum of 3 drops per eye per day. In order to obtain a greater degree of mydriasis, phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 10% may be needed. 2.2 Dosing in Pediatric Patients Less Than 1 Year of Age In pediatric patients less than 1 year of age, one drop of phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 2.5% should be instilled at 3 to 5 minute intervals up to a maximum of 3 drops per eye. 2.1 General Dosing Recommendations In patients 1 year of age or greater, apply one drop of either phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 2.5% or 10% every 3 to 5 minutes to the conjunctival fornix as required up to a maximum of 3 drops per eye per day. In order to obtain a greater degree of mydriasis, phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 10% may be needed. 2.2 Dosing in Pediatric Patients Less Than 1 Year of Age In pediatric patients less than 1 year of age, one drop of phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 2.5% should be instilled at 3 to 5 minute intervals up to a maximum of 3 drops per eye.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS The 10% strength is contraindicated in: • Patients with hypertension, or thyrotoxicosis (4.1) • Pediatric patients less than 1 year of age due to increased risk of systemic toxicity (4.2) 4.1 Cardiac and Endocrine Disease Phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 10% is contraindicated in patients with hypertension or thyrotoxicosis. Phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 2.5% should be used in these patients. 4.2 Pediatric Patients Less Than 1 Year of Age Phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 10% is contraindicated in pediatric patients less than 1 year of age due to the increased risk of systemic toxicity. Phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 2.5% should be used in these patients [See Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . 4.1 Cardiac and Endocrine Disease Phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 10% is contraindicated in patients with hypertension or thyrotoxicosis. Phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 2.5% should be used in these patients. 4.2 Pediatric Patients Less Than 1 Year of Age Phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 10% is contraindicated in pediatric patients less than 1 year of age due to the increased risk of systemic toxicity. Phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 2.5% should be used in these patients [See Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] .
Warnings and precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Not for injection: Topical ophthalmic use only (5.1) Serious cardiovascular reactions with 10% strength: Reactions have included ventricular arrhythmias and some have been fatal. Monitor blood pressure in patients with cardiovascular disease (5.2) . Significant elevations in blood pressure: Caution in pediatric patients less than 5 years of age, and in patients with cardiovascular disease or perthyroidism. In patients at high risk, monitor blood pressure post Treatment (5.3) . Rebound miosis: Reported one day after instillation (5.4) 5.1 Topical Ophthalmic Use Only Phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 2.5% and 10% is not indicated for injection. 5.2 Cardiovascular Reactions There have been reports of serious cardiovascular reactions, including ventricular arrhythmias and myocardial infarctions, in patients using phenylephrine 10%. These episodes, some fatal, have usually occurred in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases. Phenylephrine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 2.5% should be used in these patients. 5.3 Elevation of Blood Pressure A significant elevation in blood pressure is not common but has been reported following conjunctival instillation of recommended doses of phenylephrine 10%. The risk is less with phenylephrine 2.5%. Caution should be exercised with the use of phenylephrine 10% in pediatric patients less than 5 years of age and patients with hyperthyroidism, or cardiovascular disease. The post-treatment blood pressure of patients with cardiac and endocrine diseases and any patients who develop symptoms should be carefully monitored. 5.4. Rebound Miosis Rebound miosis has been reported one day after receiving phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, and re-instillation of the drug produced a lesser mydriatic effect. 5.1 Topical Ophthalmic Use Only Phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 2.5% and 10% is not indicated for injection. 5.2 Cardiovascular Reactions There have been reports of serious cardiovascular reactions, including ventricular arrhythmias and myocardial infarctions, in patients using phenylephrine 10%. These episodes, some fatal, have usually occurred in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases. Phenylephrine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution, USP 2.5% should be used in these patients. 5.3 Elevation of Blood Pressure A significant elevation in blood pressure is not common but has been reported following conjunctival instillation of recommended doses of phenylephrine 10%. The risk is less with phenylephrine 2.5%. Caution should be exercised with the use of phenylephrine 10% in pediatric patients less than 5 years of age and patients with hyperthyroidism, or cardiovascular disease. The post-treatment blood pressure of patients with cardiac and endocrine diseases and any patients who develop symptoms should be carefully monitored. 5.4. Rebound Miosis Rebound miosis has been reported one day after receiving phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, and re-instillation of the drug produced a lesser mydriatic effect.
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Atropine-like drugs: May exaggerate the adrenergic pressor response (7.1) Potent inhalation anesthetic agents: May potentiate cardiovascular depressant effects (7.1) 7.1 Agents That May Exaggerate Pressor Responses Concomitant use of phenylephrine and atropine may enhance the pressor effects and induce tachycardia in some patients. Phenylephrine may potentiate the cardiovascular depressant effects of some inhalation anesthetic agents. 7.1 Agents That May Exaggerate Pressor Responses Concomitant use of phenylephrine and atropine may enhance the pressor effects and induce tachycardia in some patients. Phenylephrine may potentiate the cardiovascular depressant effects of some inhalation anesthetic agents.
Adverse reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Cardiovascular Effects [See Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Elevation in Blood Pressure [See Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] The following adverse reactions have been identified following use of phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Ocular adverse reactions include eye pain and stinging on instillation, temporary blurred vision, and photophobia (6.1) Cardiovascular adverse reactions include increase in blood pressure, syncope, myocardial infarction, tachycardia, arrhythmia and subarachnoid hemorrhage (6.2) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact LEADING PHARMA,LLC AT 1-844-740-7500 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Ocular Adverse Reactions Eye pain and stinging on instillation, temporary blurred vision and photophobia, and conjunctival sensitization may occur. 6.2 Systemic Adverse Reactions A marked increase in blood pressure has been reported particularly, but not limited to low weight premature neonates, infants and hypertensive patients. Cardiovascular effects which have been seen primarily in hypertensive patients following topical ocular use of phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 10% include marked increase in blood pressure, syncope, myocardial infarction, tachycardia, arrhythmia and subarachnoid hemorrhage [See Warnings and Precautions (5.2 and 5.3) ]. 6.1 Ocular Adverse Reactions Eye pain and stinging on instillation, temporary blurred vision and photophobia, and conjunctival sensitization may occur. 6.2 Systemic Adverse Reactions A marked increase in blood pressure has been reported particularly, but not limited to low weight premature neonates, infants and hypertensive patients. Cardiovascular effects which have been seen primarily in hypertensive patients following topical ocular use of phenylephrine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 10% include marked increase in blood pressure, syncope, myocardial infarction, tachycardia, arrhythmia and subarachnoid hemorrhage [See Warnings and Precautions (5.2 and 5.3) ].
Use in pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with topical phenylephrine. It is also not known whether phenylephrine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Phenylephrine hydrochloride should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

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How this page is sourced

  • Drug identity verified against openFDA NDC Directory.
  • Label text (when shown) originates from NLM DailyMed.
  • Copay and assistance URLs verified periodically; if you hit a broken link, tell us.