Phenylephrine (Intravenous)

Phenylephrine injection is used to treat hypotension (low blood pressure) that may happen during surgery.

This medicine is to be given only by your doctor or under their direct supervision.

Your doctor will monitor your progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will help your doctor determine if the medicine is effective and if you should keep receiving it. Blood tests may be required to check for unwanted side effects.

This medicine may cause permanent skin damage (necrosis) at the injection site. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of these side effects at the injection site: depressed or indented skin, blue-green to black skin discoloration, or pain, redness, or peeling of the skin.

Do not take other medicines unless you have talked about them with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the benefits. This is a decision you and your doctor will make together. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your health care professional about any other allergies you have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been conducted on the effects of phenylephrine injection in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been proven.

Geriatric

Current studies have not shown any specific problems in elderly patients that would limit the usefulness of phenylephrine injection. However, older adults are more likely to have kidney, liver, or heart issues, which may require caution and a dose adjustment for those receiving phenylephrine injection.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the possible risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together despite possible interactions. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is particularly important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below when you are receiving this medicine. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and may not include all possible interactions.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may choose not to treat you with this medication or may change some of the other medicines you take.

• Dihydroergotamine
• Linezolid
• Rasagiline
• Selegiline

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Ergonovine
• Iobenguane I 123
• Iobenguane I 131
• Methylergonovine
• Midodrine
• Zavegepant

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around the time of eating certain foods due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and may not include all possible interactions.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy to sulfites or
• Asthma—This medicine contains sodium metabisulfite, which can worsen these conditions.

• Angina, or a history of it or
• Bradycardia (slow heartbeat) or
• Severe blood vessel problems (e.g., arteriosclerosis) or
• Heart failure or
• Peripheral vascular disease or
• Pulmonary arterial hypertension or
• Spinal cord injury—Use with caution. May worsen these conditions.

• Severe kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be stronger due to slower elimination of the medicine from the body.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• difficult or labored breathing
• dizziness
• fainting
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness
• pain in the shoulders, arms, jaw, or neck
• pounding in the ears
• sweating
• tightness in the chest
• unusual tiredness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

• Feeling of fullness in the head
• pounding or rapid pulse
• tingling in the arms or legs
• vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Heartburn
• itching skin
• nausea
• pain in the neck
• pain or discomfort in chest, upper stomach, or throat

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Biorphen
• Vazculep

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Vasopressor

Pharmacologic Class: Adrenergic System

Chemical Class: Alkylarylamine

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

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