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Phenylephrine (also known as phenylephrine hydrochloride, or phenylephrine HCL) is a popular decongestant that can be used when you’ve got a cold, the flu, or even allergies.
It helps to shrink swelling in your nose and ears, giving you more room to breathe and easing congestion.
You can pick up phenylephrine in tablets, capsules, and drink sachets, so you can choose your favourite remedy to make you feel better when you’re all stuffed up.
Phenylephrine hydrochloride is an ingredient in popular cold and flu medications from Sudafed, Lemsip, Beechams, and more of your favourite brands, and can also be found in its generic form, which will usually be a bit cheaper.
You can take guaifenesin and phenylephrine together, and they’re often included as ingredients in the same medication, for example, Lemsip Max All in One and Beechams Max Strength All In One Ultra.
However, if you’re planning on taking separate medications which contain guaifenesin and phenylephrine, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist first to make sure that you’re taking medication that’s right for you and in the right doses.
Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine hydrochloride are both decongestants, which means that they may not be 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.
There are currently no known interactions between loratadine and phenylephrine, so you may be able to take them both if you’re suffering with congestion caused by allergies or hay fever.
However, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any two medications together, to be sure that your medications are safe for you.
Phenylephrine is available over the counter from pharmacies like Chemist 4 U.
Depending on the formulation of the product, you may need to answer some questions before you buy your medication, but this is perfectly normal and helps our pharmacists be sure that you’re taking the right product for you.
Phenylephrine hydrochloride can be taken by children aged 12 and over.
However, you should make sure to read the patient information leaflet that comes with your own product carefully to make sure that it’s suitable for your child.
Some of the other ingredients included with phenylephrine in remedies like Sudafed and Lemsip may not be suitable for your child.
If you’re unsure which decongestant is suitable for your child, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before you give them anything.
If you have high blood pressure then you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking phenylephrine or any other decongestants.
Phenylephrine can interact with high blood pressure medication and this product may not be suitable for you.