PHENYLEPHRINE HYDROCHLORIDE- phenylephrine hydrochloride injection, solution 
Cardinal Health

Disclaimer: This drug has not been found by FDA to be safe and effective, and this labeling has not been approved by FDA. For further information about unapproved drugs, click here.

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PHENYLEPHRINE HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION, USP 1%

Rx Only

CONTAINS NO ANTIMICROBIAL PRESERVATIVE

WARNING

PHYSICIANS SHOULD COMPLETELY FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE COMPLETE CONTENTS OF THIS INSERT BEFORE PRESCRIBING PHENYLEPHRINE HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION, USP.

DESCRIPTION

Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, a synthetic sympathomimetic agent, is a vasoconstrictor and pressor drug chemically related to epinephrine and ephedrine that is available as a sterile solution for parenteral injection. Each mL contains: phenylephrine HCI 10 mg, sodium metabisulfite 2 mg, sodium chloride 3.5 mg, sodium citrate (dihydrate) 4 mg, citric acid (anhydrous) 0.914 mg, water for injection q.s.  pH (between 3.0 and 6.5) adjusted with citric acid and/or sodium hydroxide. Chemically, it is (-) - m - Hydroxy - α - [(methylamino)methyl] benzyl alcohol hydrochloride. The structural formula is as follows:

6c506d53-figure-01

Molecular Formula: C9H13NO2 • HCl            Molecular Weight: 203.67

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Phenylephrine hydrochloride produces vasoconstriction that lasts longer than that of epinephrine and ephedrine. Responses are more sustained than those of epinephrine, lasting 20 minutes after intravenous and as long as 50 minutes after subcutaneous injection. Its action on the heart contrasts sharply with that of epinephrine and ephedrine, in that it slows the heart rate and increases the stroke output, producing no disturbance in the rhythm of the pulse.

Phenylephrine is a powerful postsynaptic alpha-receptor stimulant with little effect on the beta receptors of the heart. In therapeutic doses, it produces little if any stimulation of either the spinal cord or cerebrum. A singular advantage of this drug is the fact that repeated injections produce comparable effects.

The predominant actions of phenylephrine are on the cardiovascular system. Parenteral administration causes a rise in systolic and diastolic pressures in man and other species. Accompanying the pressor response to phenylephrine is a marked reflex bradycardia that can be blocked by atropine; after atropine, large doses of the drug increase the heart rate only slightly. In man, cardiac output is slightly decreased and peripheral resistance is considerably increased. Circulation time is slightly prolonged, and venous pressure is slightly increased; venous constriction is not marked. Most vascular beds are constricted; renal, splanchnic, cutaneous, and limb blood flows are reduced but coronary blood flow is increased. Pulmonary vessels are constricted, and pulmonary arterial pressure is raised.

The drug is a powerful vasoconstrictor, with properties very similar to those of norepinephrine but almost completely lacking the chronotropic and inotropic actions on the heart. Cardiac irregularities are seen only very rarely even with large doses.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Phenylephrine hydrochloride is intended for the maintenance of an adequate level of blood pressure during spinal and inhalation anesthesia and for the treatment of vascular failure in shock, shocklike states, and drug-induced hypotension, or hypersensitivity. It is also employed to overcome paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, to prolong spinal anesthesia, and as a vasoconstrictor in regional analgesia.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Phenylephrine hydrochloride should not be used in patients with severe hypertension, ventricular tachycardia, or in patients who are hypersensitive to it or to any of the components.

WARNINGS

If used in conjunction with oxytocic drugs, the pressor effect of sympathomimetic pressor amines is potentiated (see Drug Interactions). The obstetrician should be warned that some oxytocic drugs may cause severe persistent hypertension and that even a rupture of a cerebral blood vessel may occur during the postpartum period.

This product contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic people.

PRECAUTIONS

Phenylephrine hydrochloride should be employed only with extreme caution in elderly patients or in patients with hyperthyroidism, bradycardia, partial heart block, myocardial disease, or severe arteriosclerosis.

Drug Interactions

Vasopressors, particularly metaraminol, may cause serious cardiac arrhythmias during halothane anesthesia and therefore should be used only with great caution or not at all.

MAO Inhibitors

The pressor effect of sympathomimetic pressor amines is markedly potentiated in patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI). Therefore, when initiating pressor therapy in these patients, the initial dose should be small and used with due caution. The pressor response of adrenergic agents may also be potentiated by tricyclic antidepressants.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

No long-term animal studies have been done to evaluate the potential of phenylephrine hydrochloride in these areas.

Pregnancy

Teratogenic Effects

Pregnancy Category C. - Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with phenylephrine hydrochloride. It is also not known whether phenylephrine hydrochloride can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Phenylephrine hydrochloride should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Labor and Delivery

If vasopressor drugs are either used to correct hypotension or added to the local anesthetic solution, the obstetrician should be cautioned that some oxytocic drugs may cause severe persistent hypertension and that a rupture of a cerebral blood vessel may occur during the postpartum period (see WARNINGS).

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk.  Because many are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when phenylephrine hydrochloride is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

To combat hypotension during spinal anesthesia in children, a dose of 0.5 mg to 1 mg per 25 pounds of body weight, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, is recommended.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Headache, reflex bradycardia, excitability, restlessness, and rarely arrhythmias.

OVERDOSAGE

Overdosage may induce ventricular extrasystoles and short paroxysms of ventricular tachycardia, a sensation of fullness in the head and tingling of the extremities.

Should an excessive elevation of blood pressure occur, it may be immediately relieved by a α-adrenergic blocking agent (e.g., phentolamine).

The oral LD50 in the rat is 350 mg/kg, in the mouse 120 mg/kg.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Phenylephrine hydrochloride is generally injected subcutaneously, intramuscularly, slowly intravenously, or in dilute solution as a continuous intravenous infusion. In patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and, if indicated, in case of emergency, phenylephrine hydrochloride is administered directly intravenously. The dose should be adjusted according to the pressor response.

Dosage Calculations


Dose Required
10 mg
5 mg
1 mg

Use
Phenylephrine HCl Injection 1%
1 mL
0.5 mL
0.1 mL

For convenience in intermittent intravenous administration, dilute 1 mL phenylephrine hydrochloride 1% with 9 mL Sterile Water for Injection, USP, to yield 0.1% phenylephrine hydrochloride.


Dose Required
0.1 mg
0.2 mg
0.5 mg

Use Diluted
Phenylephrine HCI Injection 0.1%
0.1 mL
0.2 mL
0.5 mL

Mild or Moderate Hypotension Subcutaneously or lntramuscularly: Usual dose, from 2 mg to 5 mg. Range, from 1 mg to 10 mg. Initial dose should not exceed 5 mg.

Intravenously: Usual dose, 0.2 mg. Range, from 0.1 mg to 0.5 mg. Initial dose should not exceed 0.5 mg.

Injections should not be repeated more often than every 10 to 15 minutes. A 5 mg intramuscular dose should raise blood pressure for one to two hours. A 0.5 mg intravenous dose should elevate the pressure for about 15 minutes.

Severe Hypotension and Shock – Including Drug-Related Hypotension Blood volume depletion should always be corrected as fully as possible before any vasopressor is administered. When, as an emergency measure, intra-aortic pressures must be maintained to prevent cerebral or coronary artery ischemia, phenylephrine hydrochloride can be administered before and concurrently with blood volume replacement.

Hypotension and occasionally severe shock may result from overdosage or idiosyncrasy following the administration of certain drugs, especially adrenergic and ganglionic blocking agents, rauwolfia and veratrum alkaloids, and phenothiazine tranquilizers. Patients who receive a phenothiazine derivative as preoperative medication are especially susceptible to these reactions. As an adjunct in the management of such episodes, phenylephrine hydrochloride is a suitable agent for restoring blood pressure.

Higher initial and maintenance doses of phenylephrine hydrochloride are required in patients with persistent or untreated severe hypotension or shock. Hypotension produced by powerful peripheral adrenergic blocking agents, chlorpromazine, or pheochromocytomectomy may also require more intensive therapy.

Continuous Infusion – Add 10 mg of the drug (1 mL of 1 percent solution) to 500 mL of Dextrose Injection, USP, or Sodium Chloride Injection, USP (providing a 1:50,000 solution). To raise the blood pressure rapidly, start the infusion at about 100 µg to 180 µg per minute (based on 20 drops per mL this would be 100 to 180 drops per minute). When the blood pressure is stabilized (at a low normal level for the individual) a maintenance rate of 40 µg to 60 µg per minute usually suffices (based on 20 drops per mL this would be 40 to 60 drops per minute). If the drop size of the infusion system varies from the 20 drops per mL, the dose must be adjusted accordingly.

If a prompt initial pressor response is not obtained, additional increments of phenylephrine hydrochloride (10 mg or more) are added to the infusion bottle. The rate of flow is then adjusted until the desired blood pressure level is obtained. (In some cases, a more potent vasopressor, such as norepinephrine bitartrate, may be required.) Hypertension should be avoided. The blood pressure should be checked frequently. Headache and/or bradycardia may indicate hypertension. Arrhythmias are rare.

Spinal Anesthesia – Hypotension Routine parenteral use of phenylephrine hydrochloride has been recommended for the prophylaxis and treatment of hypotension during spinal anesthesia. It is best administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly three or four minutes before injection of the spinal anesthetic. The total requirement for high anesthetic levels is usually 3 mg, and for lower levels, 2 mg. For hypotensive emergencies during spinal anesthesia, phenylephrine hydrochloride may be injected intravenously, using an initial dose of 0.2 mg. Any subsequent dose should not exceed the previous dose by more than 0.1 mg to 0.2 mg and no more than 0.5 mg should be administered in a single dose.  To combat hypotension during spinal anesthesia in children, a dose of 0.5 mg to 1 mg per 25 pounds body weight, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, is recommended.

Prolongation of Spinal Anesthesia The addition of 2 mg to 5 mg of phenylephrine hydrochloride to the anesthetic solution increases the duration of motor block by as much as approximately 50 percent without any increase in the incidence of complications such as nausea, vomiting, or blood pressure disturbances.

Vasoconstrictor for Regional Analgesia Concentrations about ten times those employed when epinephrine is used as a vasoconstrictor are recommended. The optimum strength is 1:20,000 (made by adding 1 mg of phenylephrine hydrochloride to every 20 mL of local anesthetic solution). Some pressor responses can be expected when 2 mg or more are injected.

Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia Rapid intravenous injection (within 20 to 30 seconds) is recommended;  the initial dose should not exceed 0.5 mg, and subsequent doses, which are determined by the initial blood pressure response, should not exceed the preceding dose by more than 0.1 mg to 0.2 mg, and should never exceed 1 mg.

HOW SUPPLIED

Phenylephrine HCI Injection, USP 1% (10 mg/mL)

NDC 0517-0299-25     1 mL Single Dose Vial           packaged in boxes of 25

NDC 0517-0405-25     5 mL Vial*                              packaged in boxes of 25

*FOR PHARMACY USE ONLY

Store at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F); excursions permitted to 15°-30°C (59°-86°F) (See USP Controlled Room Temperature).

Protect from light. FOR SINGLE USE ONLY.  Discard unused portion.

AMERICAN
REGENT, INC.
SHIRLEY, NY  11967

IN0299
Rev. 11/05

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

Phenylephrine HCl Injection, USP

1% (10 mg/ml)

5 x 1 ml Single Dose Vials

bag label
PHENYLEPHRINE HYDROCHLORIDE 
phenylephrine hydrochloride injection, solution
Product Information
Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGItem Code (Source)NDC:55154-5735(NDC:0517-0299)
Route of AdministrationINTRAVENOUS, INTRAMUSCULAR, SUBCUTANEOUS
Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
PHENYLEPHRINE HYDROCHLORIDE (UNII: 04JA59TNSJ) (PHENYLEPHRINE - UNII:1WS297W6MV) PHENYLEPHRINE HYDROCHLORIDE10 mg  in 1 mL
Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient NameStrength
SODIUM METABISULFITE (UNII: 4VON5FNS3C) 2 mg  in 1 mL
SODIUM CHLORIDE (UNII: 451W47IQ8X) 3.5 mg  in 1 mL
TRISODIUM CITRATE DIHYDRATE (UNII: B22547B95K) 4 mg  in 1 mL
ANHYDROUS CITRIC ACID (UNII: XF417D3PSL) 0.914 mg  in 1 mL
SODIUM HYDROXIDE (UNII: 55X04QC32I)  
WATER (UNII: 059QF0KO0R)  
Packaging
#Item CodePackage DescriptionMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
1NDC:55154-5735-55 in 1 BAG09/30/199006/30/2013
11 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE; Type 0: Not a Combination Product
Marketing Information
Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
Unapproved drug other09/30/199006/30/2013
Labeler - Cardinal Health (188557102)
Establishment
NameAddressID/FEIBusiness Operations
Cardinal Health188557102REPACK(55154-5735)

Revised: 6/2017
 
Cardinal Health