Phenylephrine HCl Injection

Phenylephrine is a synthetic sympathomimetic amine with selectivity for the alpha-1-adrenergic receptor. Phenylephrine lacks significant inotropic and chronotropic effects.1 Phenylephrine is used orally and intranasally to treat nasal congestion. Use in younger children has been associated with an increased risk of serious adverse effects; as a result, the FDA issued a public health advisory recommending that OTC cough and cold products not be used in infants and children < 2 years of age.2 Parenterally, phenylephrine may reduce heart rate and cardiac output as a reflex response to its potent vasopressor effects, which is the rationale for its use to treat paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Since it is a potent vasoconstrictor, phenylephrine injection can be used as a vasopressor; however the predominance of alpha-effects and lack of beta-1 inotropic effects limits the use of phenylephrine for the treatment of shock states. Phenylephrine injection was FDA-approved in December 2012.