phenylephrine
excessive topical use may cause hypertensive crisis which may be fatal, and attempts to treat such alpha agonist crises with
beta adrenergic blockers
or
calcium channel blockers
may cause
acute pulmonary oedema (APO)
and thus these agents are contra-indicated!!
introduction
an
alpha adrenergic agonists
type of
sympathomimetic agent
often used in
ENT procedures
as a topical vasoconstrictor agent combined with
lignocaine
such as in
Co-Phenylcaine Forte Spray
it is NOT effective as a nasal decongestant when taken orally despite marketing that states otherwise
it was added to cold and flu tablets when pseudoephedrine was removed from those products due to it being used to illegally make methamphetamine
in 2024 a class action was commenced against Johnson and Johnson for alleged false advertising
1)
1)
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-20/drug-phenylephrine-class-action-johnson-and-johnson/104750806