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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using phenylephrine nasal?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to phenylephrine.

Do not use phenylephrine nasal if you have used linezolid (Zyvox) or procarbazine (Matulane), or if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you use phenylephrine before these other drugs have cleared from your body.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you have:

• heart disease, heart rhythm disorder;
• high blood pressure;
• diabetes;
• glaucoma;
• a thyroid disorder; or
• an enlarged prostate or urination problems.

FDA pregnancy category C. Is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Before using phenylephrine nasal, tell doctor if you are pregnant.

Phenylephrine nasal may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.

How should I use phenylephrine nasal?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cold medicine should be used only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicine in very young children.

Phenylephrine nasal is usually used every 4 hours. Follow the directions on the medicine label. Never use more of this medicine than directed on the label or prescribed by your doctor. Using phenylephrine nasal too long can damage the lining of your nasal passages and lead to chronic nasal congestion.

Gently blow your nose to clear any mucus before using this medication.

To use the nasal spray, insert the tip of the spray bottle into your nostril, past the middle of the inside of your nose (the nasal septum). Gently press your other nostril closed with your finger.

Keep your head upright, and squeeze the bottle while breathing in deeply through your nose. Sniff quickly a few times to get the medicine deep into your nasal passages.

Repeat these steps to use the medicine in your other nostril if needed.

After each use, clean the tip of the spray bottle with a clean tissue or rinse it with hot water, making sure that no water gets into the medicine bottle. Keep the cap on the bottle when not in use.

To use the nasal drops, lie on your back with your head tilted back. Insert the correct number of drops and remain lying in this position for several minutes. Gently turn your head from side to side.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 days of using phenylephrine nasal, or if they get worse and you also have a fever.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have used phenylephrine nasal within the past few days.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

To prevent the spread of infection, do not share this medication with anyone else.

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