Pronunciation: FEN-il-EF-rin
Generic Name: Phenylephrine
Brand Name: Examples include Contac-D and Sudafed PE
Contac-D is used for:
Relieving congestion due to colds, flu, hay fever, and other allergies. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Contac-D is a decongestant. It works by reducing swelling and constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages, allowing you to breathe more easily.
Do NOT use Contac-D if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Contac-D
- you have had an unusual reaction (eg, dizziness, weakness, tremors, irregular heartbeat) to another sympathomimetic medicine (eg, pseudoephedrine)
- you are taking furazolidone or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) in the last 14 days
- you have severe high blood pressure, severe heart blood vessel disease, fast heartbeat, or severe heart problems
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Contac-D:
Some medical conditions may interact with Contac-D. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye, enlarged prostate gland or other prostate problems, heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, blood vessel problems, adrenal gland problems, overactive thyroid, seizures, or stroke
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Contac-D. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (eg, entacapone), furazolidone, indomethacin, methyldopa, or MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because they may increase the risk of Contac-D's side effects
- Tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may decrease Contac-D's effectiveness
- Digoxin or droxidopa because the risk of irregular heartbeat or heart attack may be increased
- Bromocriptine because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Contac-D
- Guanadrel, guanethidine, mecamylamine, methyldopa, or reserpine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Contac-D
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Contac-D may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Contac-D:
Use Contac-D as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Contac-D by mouth with or without food.
- If you miss a dose of Contac-D and are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Contac-D.
Important safety information:
- Contac-D may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Contac-D with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- If your symptoms do not get better within 7 days or if you develop a high fever, check with your doctor.
- Contac-D has phenylephrine in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Do not take diet or appetite control medicines while you are taking Contac-D.
- If you have trouble sleeping, ask your pharmacist or doctor about the best time to take Contac-D.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Contac-D before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Diabetes patients - Contac-D may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Use Contac-D with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Caution is advised when using Contac-D in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Different brands of Contac-D may have different dosing instructions for CHILDREN. Follow the dosing instructions on the package labeling. If your doctor has given you instructions, follow those. If you are unsure of the dose to give a child, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Contac-D should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 2 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Contac-D while you are pregnant. Contac-D is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Contac-D.
Possible side effects of Contac-D:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness; headache; nausea; nervousness; restlessness; sleeplessness; stomach irritation.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; seizures; tremor; trouble urinating.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Contac-D side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room right away. Symptoms may include confusion; hallucinations; irregular or unusually slow or rapid heartbeat; rapid breathing; seizures.
Proper storage of Contac-D:
Store Contac-D at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Contac-D out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Contac-D, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Contac-D is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Contac-D. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Contac-D resources
- Contac-D Side Effects (in more detail)
- Contac-D Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Contac-D Drug Interactions
- Contac-D Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Contac-D - Add your own review/rating
Compare Contac-D with other medications
- Nasal Congestion
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