phenylephrine

noun

phen·​yl·​eph·​rine ˌfe-nᵊl-ˈe-ˌfrēn 

-frən

: a sympathomimetic agent C₉H₁₃NO₂ that is used in the form of its hydrochloride as a vasoconstrictor, a mydriatic, a nasal decongestant, and by injection to raise the blood pressure

Examples of phenylephrine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Oral phenylephrine, the active ingredient in decongestants sold in the U.S. since 2005, doesn't work. —Laura Helmuth, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2024

Roughly two decades ago, oral phenylephrine began proliferating on pharmacy shelves despite mounting—and now damning—evidence that the drug simply does not work. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2023

The panel’s vote tees up a likely decision by the agency on whether to essentially ban the ingredient, phenylephrine, which would result in pulling hundreds of products containing it from store shelves. —Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2023

Last fall, a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee said that phenylephrine, a decongestant found in a wide range of over-the-counter cold and flu medications, does not work. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 9 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

phenyl + epinephrine

First Known Use

circa 1947, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

phenylephrine

noun

phen·​yl·​eph·​rine ˌfen-ᵊl-ˈef-ˌrēn, -rən 

: a sympathomimetic agent with vasoconstrictive properties that is used in the form of its hydrochloride C₉H₁₃NO₂·HCl especially as a nasal decongestant and mydriatic and to raise blood pressure

Note: Trademarks for preparations containing phenylephrine include Actifed and Neo-Synephrine.