Phenylephrine

Phenylephrine is a non-prescription medication commonly used for treating nasal and sinus congestion. There are various forms of this drug, as well as a variety of conditions it can be used to treat. The medication works by causing the blood vessels to constrict, allowing less fluid to leave the blood vessels and decreasing inflammation. Although most people tolerate it well, the medication can cause side effects, such as nervousness, dizziness, and insomnia.

Phenylephrine Medication Information

What Is Phenylephrine?

Phenylephrine is a medication that comes in several forms and is used for a variety of different purposes. It is probably most commonly used as a nasal or sinus decongestant for relieving congestion and pressure due to allergies (such as hay fever) or the common cold.

This medication comes as phenylephrine hydrochloride (in oral, nasal, injectable, cream, and eye drop forms), phenylephrine bitartrate (in effervescent tablet form), or phenylephrine tannate (in oral form).

(Click What Is Phenylephrine Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

Side Effects

As with any medicine, phenylephrine can cause side effects.

However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience bothersome side effects. Some people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.

Possible side effects of phenylephrine include, but are not limited to:

Insomnia
Nervousness
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Dizziness.

(Click Phenylephrine Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)

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