Sometimes, especially during surgery or an emergency, our blood pressure can suddenly drop dangerously low. A special injection that doctors use for these situations is called Phenylephrine. This is not a medicine you can buy at a pharmacy and use at home. This is a medicine that is only given in a hospital, under the direct supervision of doctors and nurses. So, let's see what are the most important things you need to know about this medicine.
Simply put, what is Phenylephrine?
Imagine, during an operation, your blood pressure drops below normal due to anesthesia or other reasons. This can cause significant damage to the body's major organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, by reducing the amount of blood that reaches them. In such cases, this phenylephrine injection is used to constrict the blood vessels and quickly bring the blood pressure back to normal.
That means it is a life-saving drug. Sometimes, it can also be used to treat conditions such as serious heart rhythm disorders. It is given either as an injection into a vein or as an infusion into a vein, such as saline. This is all decided by the doctor who is treating you.
Things you should tell your doctor before giving this medicine:
It is very important that your doctor knows your complete health history before prescribing this medication to you, as some medical conditions require special care when using this medication.
| Situation you need to report | Why is that? (Simply) |
|---|---|
| About your heart disease . | Because this medication affects heart function, special care should be taken when giving it to someone who already has heart disease. |
| If you have high blood pressure . | When this medicine is given to someone who already has high blood pressure, the pressure can increase too much and other complications can occur. Therefore, you need to be very careful about the dosage. |
| If you have had a previous head injury or brain disease. | Changes in blood pressure can be sensitive to head injuries, so it's important for your doctor to be aware of this. |
| If you have any allergies (especially to this medicine, sulfites, other medicines, foods or preservatives) | An allergic reaction to a medication can be serious, so tell your doctor about any allergies you have in advance. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant . | If this medication is given during pregnancy, decisions are made very carefully, considering the potential effects on the mother and baby. |
| If you are a nursing mother . | It is important to consider whether the medication passes to the baby through breast milk. Therefore, it is essential to tell the doctor about this. |
Other drugs that interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
There are some medications that can cause dangerous reactions if taken together with phenylephrine.
The following medications should never be used together with this medicine. Your doctor may be aware of this, but it is important that you are aware as well.
- Bromocriptine
- Cocaine
- Ergot alkaloids (e.g. ergotamine, methylergonovine)
- Antidepressants from the group of MAOIs (e.g. Marplan, Nardil, Parnate)
In addition, anesthesia and other medications for mental illness can also interact with this medication.
Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, not just those prescribed by a doctor, but also those you buy from a pharmacy, vitamins, traditional medicines, and herbal products. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
What side effects can occur when taking medication?
Like any medicine, Phenylephrine can cause side effects in some people. Since you are under the supervision of medical staff while taking this medicine, they will act quickly if there is a problem.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Things to report to your doctor or nurse immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | Shortness of breath, change in breathing rate. |
| Chest pain | Feeling of tightness or pain in the chest, as if the heart is squeezing. |
| Changes in heart rate | Rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat. |
| Anxiety | Blue eyes, feeling dizzy, falls. |
| Changes in limbs | Pain, numbness, or loss of sensation in the hands or feet. |
| Skin discoloration, sweating | Pale skin, unusual sweating. |
| 🙂 If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Mental state | Anxiety, nervousness, confusion. |
| Headache | Common headache. |
| Nausea/vomiting | Stomach discomfort, vomiting. |
This list is just a few of the things that can happen. If you feel anything different or unusual, don't be afraid to let the medical staff know about it.
What to do if you overdose?
This is done in a hospital, so the risk of overdose is very low because everything is done under medical supervision. But if something like this happens, the staff in the hospital will take all necessary measures. If you are outside the hospital, you should immediately call the National Poisons Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital or take the patient to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
Since this is given in a hospital, according to a set schedule, it is not common to miss a dose. So you don't need to worry about that. Everything will happen according to the doctors' plan.
Take-Home Message
- Phenylephrine is a special injection that is given only in a hospital, under medical supervision. It is not a medication that you can take home.
- This is mainly used to restore blood pressure that drops dangerously low during situations such as surgery.
- It is imperative to inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (especially heart disease, high blood pressure) and all medications you are taking before prescribing the medicine.
- If you experience any unusual symptoms (chest pain, difficulty breathing, allergic reactions) while taking the medicine, inform the medical staff immediately.
- Your condition, including blood pressure and heart rate, will be monitored by medical staff during and after the medication is given.
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