What is phenylephrine?

Phenylephrine hydrochloride is a synthetic sympathomimetic agent in sterile form for parenteral injection. Chemically, phenylephrine hydrochloride is (-)- m -Hydroxy-α-[(methylamino)methyl]benzyl alcohol hydrochloride and has the following structural formula: Phenylephrine hydrochloride is very soluble in water, freely soluble in ethanol, and insoluble in chloroform and ethyl ether. Phenylephrine hydrochloride is sensitive to light. Phenylephrine Hydrochloride Injection, USP is a clear, colorless, aqueous solution that is essentially free of visible foreign matter. Each mL contains: Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 10 mg; Sodium Chloride 3.5 mg; Sodium Citrate Dihydrate 4 mg; Citric Acid Monohydrate 1 mg; and Sodium Metabisulfite 2 mg in water for injection. The pH may be adjusted in the range of 3.0 to 6.5 with Sodium Hydroxide and/or Hydrochloric Acid, if necessary. Structural Formula

What kind of drug is phenylephrine?

The FDA classifies phenylephrine as an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take phenylephrine with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run phenylephrine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is phenylephrine sold under?

We track 4 phenylephrine-containing products in the U.S.: Immphentiv, Biorphen, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride and Vazculep. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does phenylephrine come in?

Across the brands we track, phenylephrine is currently marketed as injectable, liposomal, solution, drops and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic phenylephrine?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic phenylephrine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has phenylephrine been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions phenylephrine. The most recent: Phenylephrine Hydrochloride Injectable Solution (Apr 1, 2026). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Phenylephrine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Phenylephrine is an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist sold in the U.S. under 4 brand and generic names, for fissure in ano, open-angle glaucoma and hemorrhoids. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Alpha-1 Adrenergic Agonist
Treats: Fissure in Ano, Open-Angle Glaucoma and Hemorrhoids
Available as: Injectable · Liposomal · Solution · Drops · Tablet
Sold as: 4 products — Immphentiv, Biorphen and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, and others
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $9 for a 30-count supply

How phenylephrine is dosed

From the FDA label for Immphentiv (application NDA203826). Other phenylephrine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Dilute before administration ( 2.1 ). Dosing for Perioperative Hypotension • Intravenous bolus administration: 50 mcg to 250 mcg ( 2.4 ) • Intravenous continuous infusion: 0.5 mcg/kg/minute to 1.4 mcg/kg/minute titrated to effect ( 2.4 ) Dosing for Patients with Vasodilatory Shock • Intravenous continuous infusion: 0.5 mcg/kg/minute to 6 mcg/kg/minute titrated to effect ( 2.5 ) 2.1 General Administration Instructions Phenylephrine hydrochloride must be diluted before administration as bolus intravenous infusion or continuous intravenous infusion. Inspect the solution for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The diluted solution should not be held for more than 4 hours at room temperature or for more than 24 hours under refrigerated conditions. Discard any unused portion. During phenylephrine hydrochloride administration: Correct intravascular volume depletion. Correct acidosis. Acidosis may reduce the effectiveness of phenylephrine. 2.2 Preparing a 100 mcg/mL Solution of Bolus Intravenous Administration For bolus intravenous administration, withdraw 10 mg (1 mL of a 10 mg/mL concentration) of phenylephrine injection and dilute with 99 mL of 5% Dextrose Injection, USP or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. This will yield a final concentration of 100 mcg/mL. Withdraw an appropriate dose from the 100 mcg/mL solution prior to bolus intravenous…

Phenylephrine side effects

The following adverse reactions associated with the use of phenylephrine hydrochloride were identified in the literature. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency reliably or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiac disorders: Bradycardia, AV block, ventricular extrasystoles, myocardial ischemia Gastrointestinal disorders: Nausea, vomiting General disorders and administrative site conditions: Chest pain, extravasation Immune system disorders: Sulfite sensitivity Nervous system disorders: Headache, nervousness, paresthesia, tremor Psychiatric disorders: Excitability Respiratory: Pulmonary edema, rales Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Diaphoresis, pallor, piloerection, skin blanching, skin necrosis with extravasation Vascular disorders: Hypertensive crisis Most common adverse reactions: nausea and vomiting, headache, nervousness ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. at 1-877-845-0689 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

Every phenylephrine product we track (4)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Phenylephrine products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Immphentiv	70/100	Prescription	Injectable	Generic	$9	View →
2	Biorphen	Not yet rated	Prescription	Injectable	Generic	$9

What phenylephrine pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Phenylephrine pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
44;455	325 mg / 2 mg / 5 mg	white	oval	—
A15	500 mg / 4 mg / 10 mg	white	round	—
44;503	325 mg / 10 mg / 200 mg / 5 mg	yellow	oval	—
SUPE	200 mg / 10 mg	white	oval	—
Advil;A;CR	4 mg / 200 mg / 10 mg	gray	oval	—
Advil;A;CR

Combination products containing phenylephrine

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

Phenylephrine recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is phenylephrine?: Phenylephrine hydrochloride is a synthetic sympathomimetic agent in sterile form for parenteral injection. Chemically, phenylephrine hydrochloride is (-)- m -Hydroxy-α-[(methylamino)methyl]benzyl alcohol hydrochloride and has the following structural formula: Phenylephrine hydrochloride is very soluble in water, freely soluble in ethanol, and insoluble in chloroform and ethyl ether. Phenylephrine hydrochloride is sensitive to light. Phenylephrine Hydrochloride Injection, USP is a clear, colorless, aqueous solution that is essentially free of visible foreign matter. Each mL contains: Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 10 mg; Sodium Chloride 3.5 mg; Sodium Citrate Dihydrate 4 mg; Citric Acid Monohydrate 1 mg; and Sodium Metabisulfite 2 mg in water for injection. The pH may be adjusted in the range of 3.0 to 6.5 with Sodium Hydroxide and/or Hydrochloric Acid, if necessary. Structural Formula
What kind of drug is phenylephrine?: The FDA classifies phenylephrine as an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take phenylephrine with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run phenylephrine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is phenylephrine sold under?: We track 4 phenylephrine-containing products in the U.S.: Immphentiv, Biorphen, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride and Vazculep. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does phenylephrine come in?: Across the brands we track, phenylephrine is currently marketed as injectable, liposomal, solution, drops and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.