Phenylephrine

Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine hydrochloride are very similar decongestants, which means they are usually not suitable to use together.

If you’re using one decongestant and feel that it isn’t working as well as you would like, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking anything else.

They'll be able to assess your current medication and recommend one that may be more suitable for you, which could include pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, depending on your circumstances.

You should only use phenylephrine during pregnancy or breastfeeding if you have been told to do so by your doctor or pharmacist.

Phenylephrine usually isn’t recommended for use during these times, and will only be given to patients if the potential benefits of treatment would outweigh any potential risks.

Most of the time, this means that phenylephrine won’t be recommended to pregnant or breastfeeding parents, as congestion will usually clear up without treatment as the cause of it passes.

You can take paracetamol and phenylephrine at the same time, in fact, many cold and flu medications include both in their active ingredients.

This is because these are two medications that treat different symptoms and don’t interact with each other.

Phenylephrine eases congestion while paracetamol helps to relieve pain and fever, three common symptoms of cold and flu.

All medications have side effects and phenylephrine is no exception.

You may not experience any unwanted symptoms while taking this medication, but it’s wise to be aware of the potential effects this medication can have before you take it.

Some of the most common side effects people experience when taking this medication include:

• Nausea
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Headaches
• Difficulty sleeping
• Shakiness
• Heart palpitations
• Anxiety