Generic Name:

Phenylephrine

Trade Name:

Neo-Synephrine

Action:

Alpha Adrenergic Agonist

Indications:

Hypotension
Decreased systemic vascular resistance

Administration Guidelines:

Usual Dosage Range and Route:

10 to 1000 mcg/minute, titrate to patient response

Standard Concentrations:

Central:

30 mg/ 250 ml
1 000 mg / 1000 ml
250 mg / 250 ml

Peripheral:

20 mg / 250 ml*

10mg/250ml*

Syringe based, variable flow, continuous Microinfusion pump 60 mg / 50 ml

EW Standard

20 mg / 250 ml*

Special Considerations:

* Central line required for administration; in cases of extenuating circumstances or profound hypotension, phenylephrine may be given peripherally while preparation for central line is underway using the standard concentration of 10 mg/250 ml or 20mg/250ml.

* Peripheral administration of the 10 mg/250 ml concentration may be used for short term administration (e.g. pre-transplant and post-op management of labile blood pressure in which a central line is a relative contraindication).- Phenylephrine is the vasopressor of choice for reversal of nitroglycerin induced hypotension.- For extravasation, refer to MGH nursing procedure manual.

- Invasive blood pressure monitoring (e.g. a-line) should be considered when centrally administered vasoactive agents are used or when frequent changes in infusion rate are required.

Precautions and Side Effects:

- Bradycardia

- Hypertension

- Decreased cardiac output

- Vasoconstriction

- Diminished renal function

- Metabolic acidosis