Drug interactions
Epinephrine inhaled + Phenylephrine
Severity: Moderate
Epinephrine inhaled and Phenylephrine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Systemic phenylephrine together with inhaled epinephrine may add to sympathetic stimulation, causing a rise in blood pressure, palpitations or tachycardia. The effect is more important in patients with cardiovascular disease or with oral decongestant use.
What this interaction means in plain words
Epinephrine inhaled and Phenylephrine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive alpha- and beta-adrenergic stimulation from two sympathomimetics.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and avoid oral or systemic phenylephrine decongestants in patients with hypertension or arrhythmia who use epinephrine. Reduce or stop one agent if cardiovascular symptoms occur.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Phenylephrine
- Isocarboxazid + Phenylephrine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Phenylephrine Contraindicated
- Phenylephrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Bromocriptine + Phenylephrine Major
- Cocaine + Phenylephrine Major
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Phenylephrine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Epinephrine inhaled with Phenylephrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Epinephrine inhaled and Phenylephrine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Systemic phenylephrine together with inhaled epinephrine may add to sympathetic stimulation, causing a rise in blood pressure, palpitations or tachycardia. The effect is more important in patients with cardiovascular disease or with oral decongestant use.
How serious is the interaction between Epinephrine inhaled and Phenylephrine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and avoid oral or systemic phenylephrine decongestants in patients with hypertension or arrhythmia who use epinephrine. Reduce or stop one agent if cardiovascular symptoms occur.
What other medicines interact with Phenylephrine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Phenylephrine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. The full list is on the Phenylephrine page.
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