When you have a cold or an allergy, there is nothing worse than a stuffy nose. It can be hard to breathe, your head feels heavy, and you don't feel like doing anything. So, at times like these, a fast-acting medicine called Phenylephrine is prescribed by doctors to relieve nasal congestion. The specialty of some of these tablets is that they dissolve on the tongue, without the need to be taken with water. Let's talk about this medicine in detail today.
What kind of medicine is this? (What is Phenylephrine?)
Simply put, Phenylephrine is a decongestant . A stuffy nose is caused by swelling in the blood vessels inside your nose. This medicine works by constricting those blood vessels, reducing swelling, and making it easier for you to breathe.
This medicine is commonly used:
- For nasal congestion caused by the common cold.
- Nasal congestion due to allergies.
- For nasal congestion caused by sinus problems.
Sometimes your doctor may prescribe this medication for other medical reasons. If you have any questions about this, ask your doctor.
Things to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
This is very important. Phenylephrine is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, before using this medicine, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the following medical conditions or problems.
| Medical condition/problem | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | This medicine can affect blood sugar levels. |
| Heart disease or high blood pressure | This can increase heart rate and blood pressure. |
| Thyroid disease | Side effects may be increased in people with thyroid problems. |
| Prostate problems or difficulty urinating | This medication may increase difficulty urinating. |
| Phenylketonuria (PKU) | Some effervescent tablets may contain aspartame, which is not suitable for PKU patients. |
| If you have taken an MAOI medication in the past 14 days | Taking Phenylephrine is completely prohibited because this can cause a very dangerous interaction. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | You should discuss the possible effects on the fetus or nursing baby with your doctor. |
How should I use the medicine?
The way to use this is very simple.
- Place the tablet in your mouth, place it on your tongue, and let it dissolve completely. Do not swallow or chew it.
- You can drink some water after taking this if you want. But you don't need water to dissolve the pill.
- If you experience stomach upset, take this medicine with a meal or a glass of milk.
- Take the medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the time prescribed. Never take more than the prescribed amount.
For young children and adults
If this medicine is given to young children, it should only be done under the advice of a pediatrician. It is sometimes given to children over 2 years of age, but there are special precautions.
Also, people over the age of 60 may react more severely to this medication, so they are usually prescribed a lower dose.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not take this lightly.
This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason. Do not give this medicine to someone without the advice of a doctor, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Phenylephrine can easily interact with other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
Never take Phenylephrine with the following medications:
- MAOI medications (some medications used for depression)
- Bromocriptine
- Cocaine
- Ergot class medications (e.g. Ergotamine)
- Other stimulant medications
Problems can also occur with the following medications:
- Anesthesia
- Blood pressure medication
- Other medications for depression
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about everything you take.
What side effects can you experience?
Like any medicine, Phenylephrine can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common. It's important to be aware of these.
| Nature of the side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue |
| Breathing difficulties | Difficulty breathing |
| Heart-related problems | Chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat |
| Other serious symptoms | Dizziness , fainting, falls, pain or numbness in the limbs, unusual tiredness |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Insomnia | Difficulty falling asleep at night |
| Nervous system related | Headache, nervousness |
| Digestive system related | Loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea |
How to protect and store medicine?
- Keep it out of reach of children . This is very important.
- Store at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius).
- Keep away from light and moisture.
- Dispose of expired medication immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Phenylephrine is a medicine used to treat nasal congestion caused by colds and allergies.
- If it is a tablet that dissolves on the tongue, let it dissolve on the tongue without chewing or swallowing it.
- Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (especially heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes) and all other medications you are taking.
- Never take more than the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
- If you experience any serious side effects (chest pain, difficulty breathing, allergic reactions), seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine is for you only, do not share it with others.
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