PHENTOLAMINE: 139 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile
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Active Ingredient: PHENTOLAMINE MESYLATE · Drug Class: Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists [MoA] · Route: INTRAMUSCULAR · Manufacturer: Precision Dose Inc. · FDA Application: 008278 · HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · FDA Label: Available
Patent Expires: Oct 25, 2039 · First Report: 2013 · Latest Report: 20250904
What Are the Most Common PHENTOLAMINE Side Effects?
All PHENTOLAMINE Side Effects by Frequency
| Side Effect | Reports | % of Total | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocular hyperaemia | 17 | 12.2% | 0 | 0 |
| Drug ineffective | 14 | 10.1% | 0 | 8 |
| Hypotension | 11 | 7.9% | 3 | 2 |
| Conjunctival hyperaemia | 10 | 7.2% | 0 | 0 |
| Eye pain | 10 | 7.2% | 0 | 0 |
| Headache | 10 | 7.2% | 0 | 0 |
| Blood pressure increased | 8 | 5.8% | 0 | 7 |
| Punctate keratitis | 8 | 5.8% | 0 | 0 |
| Tachycardia | 8 | 5.8% | 3 | 4 |
| Therapeutic product effect delayed | 8 | 5.8% | 0 | 0 |
| Ventricular extrasystoles | 7 | 5.0% | 0 | 7 |
| Condition aggravated | 6 | 4.3% | 0 | 2 |
| Dysgeusia | 6 | 4.3% | 0 | 0 |
| Dyspnoea | 6 | 4.3% | 0 | 6 |
| Heart rate increased | 6 | 4.3% | 0 | 5 |
| Seizure | 6 | 4.3% | 0 | 3 |
| Hypoaesthesia | 5 | 3.6% | 0 | 0 |
| Miosis | 5 | 3.6% | 0 | 0 |
| Off label use | 5 | 3.6% | 0 | 3 |
| Overdose | 5 | 3.6% | 1 | 3 |
Who Reports PHENTOLAMINE Side Effects? Age & Gender Data
Gender: 53.2% female, 46.8% male. Average age: 46.5 years. Most reports from: US. View detailed demographics →
Is PHENTOLAMINE Getting Safer? Reports by Year
| Year | Reports | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 13 | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 | 15 | 0 | 1 |
What Is PHENTOLAMINE Used For?
| Indication | Reports |
|---|---|
| Product used for unknown indication | 50 |
| Anaesthesia reversal | 16 |
| Mydriasis | 10 |
| Hypertension | 8 |
| Erectile dysfunction | 6 |
| Phaeochromocytoma | 6 |
PHENTOLAMINE vs Alternatives: Which Is Safer?
Other Drugs in Same Class: Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists [MoA]
Official FDA Label for PHENTOLAMINE
Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.
Drug Description
Ryzumvi (phentolamine ophthalmic solution) 0.75% is a sterile, clear and colorless solution for topical ophthalmic use containing 1% phentolamine mesylate (equivalent to 0.75% phentolamine). The product does not contain an anti-microbial preservative. The chemical name of phentolamine mesylate is 3-[[(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl](4-methylphenyl)amino]phenol; methanesulfonic acid (parent phentolamine: [3-[[(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl](4-methylphenyl)amino]phenol]) and the molecular formula is C 18 H 23 N 3 O 4 S (parent C 17 H 19 N 3 O). The molecular weight of phentolamine mesylate is 377.46 and the chemical structure is: Each mL of Ryzumvi contains phentolamine mesylate 10 mg as the active ingredient (equivalent to 7.5 mg phentolamine as the free base). Inactive ingredients are mannitol, sodium acetate trihydrate, and water for injection. Hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide are added to adjust pH (4.5 to 5.5), and the solution is overlaid with nitrogen. chemical structure
FDA Approved Uses (Indications)
1.
Indicatons And Usage
OraVerse an alpha adrenergic blocker, is indicated for adult and pediatric patients ages 3 years and older for the reversal of soft-tissue anesthesia, i.e., anesthesia of the lip and tongue, and the associated functional deficits resulting from an intraoral submucosal injection of a local anesthetic containing a vasoconstrictor. OraVerse, an alpha adrenergic blocker, is indicated for adult and pediatric patients ages 3 years and older for the reversal of soft-tissue anesthesia, i.e., anesthesia of the lip and tongue, and the associated functional deficits resulting from an intraoral submucosal injection of a local anesthetic containing a vasoconstrictor. ( 1 )
Dosage & Administration
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The reconstituted solution should be used upon preparation and should not be stored. Note: Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. 1. Prevention or control of hypertensive episodes in the patient with pheochromocytoma. For preoperative reduction of elevated blood pressure, 5 mg of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP (1mg for children) is injected intravenously or intramuscularly 1 or 2 hours before surgery, and repeated if necessary. During surgery, Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP (5 mg for adults, 1 mg for children) is administered intravenously as indicated, to help prevent or control paroxysms of hypertension, tachycardia, respiratory depression, convulsions, or other effects of epinephrine intoxication. (Postoperatively, norepinephrine may be given to control the hypotension that commonly follows complete removal of a pheochromocytoma.) 2. Prevention or treatment of dermal necrosis and sloughing following intravenous administration or extravasation of norepinephrine.
For
Prevention: 10 mg of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP is added to each liter of solution containing norepinephrine. The pressor effect of norepinephrine is not affected.
For
Treatment: 5-10 mg of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP in 10 mL of saline is injected into the area of extravasation within 12 hours. 3. Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma — Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP blocking test. The test is most reliable in detecting pheochromocytoma in patients with sustained hypertension and least reliable in those with paroxysmal hypertension. False-positive tests may occur in patients with hypertension without pheochromocytoma. a.
Intravenous Preparation
The CONTRAINDICATIONS , WARNINGS , and PRECAUTIONS sections should be reviewed. Sedatives, analgesics, and all other medications except those that might be deemed essential (such as digitalis and insulin) are withheld for at least 24 hours, and preferably 48 -72 hours, prior to the test. Antihypertensive drugs are withheld until blood pressure returns to the untreated, hypertensive level. This test is not performed on a patient who is normotensive.
Procedure
The patient is kept at rest in the supine position throughout the test, preferably in a quiet, darkened room. Injection of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP is delayed until blood pressure is stabilized, as evidenced by blood pressure readings taken every 10 minutes for at least 30 minutes. Five milligrams of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP is dissolved in 1mL of Sterile Water for Injection. The dose for adults is 5 mg; for children, 1 mg. The syringe needle is inserted into the vein, and injection is delayed until pressor response to venipuncture has subsided.
Phentolamine
Mesylate for Injection, USP is injected rapidly. Blood pressure is recorded immediately after injection, at 30-second intervals for the first 3 minutes, and at 60-second intervals for the next 7 minutes. Interpretation A positive response, suggestive of pheochromocytoma, is indicated when the blood pressure is reduced more than 35 mmHg systolic and 25 mmHg diastolic. A typical positive response is a reduction in pressure of 60 mmHg systolic and 25 mmHg diastolic. Usually, maximal effect is evident within 2 minutes after injection. A return to preinjection pressure commonly occurs within 15-30 minutes but may occur more rapidly. If blood pressure decreases to a dangerous level, the patient should be treated as outlined under OVERDOSAGE . A positive response should always be confirmed by other diagnostic procedures, preferably by measurement of urinary catecholamines or their metabolites. A negative response is indicated when the blood pressure is elevated, unchanged, or reduced less than 35 mmHg, systolic and 25 mmHg diastolic after injection of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP. A negative response to this test does not exclude the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, especially in patients with paroxysmal hypertension in whom the incidence of false-negative responses is high. b. Intramuscular If the intramuscular test for pheochromocytoma is preferred, preparation is the same as for the intravenous test. Five milligrams of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP is then dissolved in 1mL of Sterile Water for Injection. The dose for adults is 5 mg intramuscularly; for children, 3 mg. Blood pressure is recorded every 5 minutes for 30-45 minutes following injection. A positive response is indicated when the blood pressure is reduced 35 mmHg systolic and 25 mmHg diastolic, or more, within 20 minutes following injection.
1. Prevention or control of hypertensive episodes in the patient with pheochromocytoma. For preoperative reduction of elevated blood pressure, 5 mg of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP (1mg for children) is injected intravenously or intramuscularly 1 or 2 hours before surgery, and repeated if necessary. During surgery, Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP (5 mg for adults, 1 mg for children) is administered intravenously as indicated, to help prevent or control paroxysms of hypertension, tachycardia, respiratory depression, convulsions, or other effects of epinephrine intoxication. (Postoperatively, norepinephrine may be given to control the hypotension that commonly follows complete removal of a pheochromocytoma.)
2. Prevention or treatment of dermal necrosis and sloughing following intravenous administration or extravasation of norepinephrine.
For
Prevention: 10 mg of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP is added to each liter of solution containing norepinephrine. The pressor effect of norepinephrine is not affected.
For
Treatment: 5-10 mg of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP in 10 mL of saline is injected into the area of extravasation within 12 hours.
3. Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma — Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP blocking test. The test is most reliable in detecting pheochromocytoma in patients with sustained hypertension and least reliable in those with paroxysmal hypertension. False-positive tests may occur in patients with hypertension without pheochromocytoma.
a.
Intravenous Preparation
The CONTRAINDICATIONS , WARNINGS , and PRECAUTIONS sections should be reviewed. Sedatives, analgesics, and all other medications except those that might be deemed essential (such as digitalis and insulin) are withheld for at least 24 hours, and preferably 48 -72 hours, prior to the test. Antihypertensive drugs are withheld until blood pressure returns to the untreated, hypertensive level. This test is not performed on a patient who is normotensive.
Procedure
The patient is kept at rest in the supine position throughout the test, preferably in a quiet, darkened room. Injection of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP is delayed until blood pressure is stabilized, as evidenced by blood pressure readings taken every 10 minutes for at least 30 minutes. Five milligrams of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP is dissolved in 1mL of Sterile Water for Injection. The dose for adults is 5 mg; for children, 1 mg. The syringe needle is inserted into the vein, and injection is delayed until pressor response to venipuncture has subsided.
Phentolamine
Mesylate for Injection, USP is injected rapidly. Blood pressure is recorded immediately after injection, at 30-second intervals for the first 3 minutes, and at 60-second intervals for the next 7 minutes. Interpretation A positive response, suggestive of pheochromocytoma, is indicated when the blood pressure is reduced more than 35 mmHg systolic and 25 mmHg diastolic. A typical positive response is a reduction in pressure of 60 mmHg systolic and 25 mmHg diastolic. Usually, maximal effect is evident within 2 minutes after injection. A return to preinjection pressure commonly occurs within 15-30 minutes but may occur more rapidly. If blood pressure decreases to a dangerous level, the patient should be treated as outlined under OVERDOSAGE . A positive response should always be confirmed by other diagnostic procedures, preferably by measurement of urinary catecholamines or their metabolites. A negative response is indicated when the blood pressure is elevated, unchanged, or reduced less than 35 mmHg, systolic and 25 mmHg diastolic after injection of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP. A negative response to this test does not exclude the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, especially in patients with paroxysmal hypertension in whom the incidence of false-negative responses is high.
Preparation
The CONTRAINDICATIONS , WARNINGS , and PRECAUTIONS sections should be reviewed. Sedatives, analgesics, and all other medications except those that might be deemed essential (such as digitalis and insulin) are withheld for at least 24 hours, and preferably 48 -72 hours, prior to the test. Antihypertensive drugs are withheld until blood pressure returns to the untreated, hypertensive level. This test is not performed on a patient who is normotensive.
Procedure
The patient is kept at rest in the supine position throughout the test, preferably in a quiet, darkened room. Injection of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP is delayed until blood pressure is stabilized, as evidenced by blood pressure readings taken every 10 minutes for at least 30 minutes. Five milligrams of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP is dissolved in 1mL of Sterile Water for Injection. The dose for adults is 5 mg; for children, 1 mg. The syringe needle is inserted into the vein, and injection is delayed until pressor response to venipuncture has subsided.
Phentolamine
Mesylate for Injection, USP is injected rapidly. Blood pressure is recorded immediately after injection, at 30-second intervals for the first 3 minutes, and at 60-second intervals for the next 7 minutes.
Interpretation A positive response, suggestive of pheochromocytoma, is indicated when the blood pressure is reduced more than 35 mmHg systolic and 25 mmHg diastolic. A typical positive response is a reduction in pressure of 60 mmHg systolic and 25 mmHg diastolic. Usually, maximal effect is evident within 2 minutes after injection. A return to preinjection pressure commonly occurs within 15-30 minutes but may occur more rapidly. If blood pressure decreases to a dangerous level, the patient should be treated as outlined under OVERDOSAGE . A positive response should always be confirmed by other diagnostic procedures, preferably by measurement of urinary catecholamines or their metabolites. A negative response is indicated when the blood pressure is elevated, unchanged, or reduced less than 35 mmHg, systolic and 25 mmHg diastolic after injection of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP. A negative response to this test does not exclude the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, especially in patients with paroxysmal hypertension in whom the incidence of false-negative responses is high.
b. Intramuscular If the intramuscular test for pheochromocytoma is preferred, preparation is the same as for the intravenous test. Five milligrams of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP is then dissolved in 1mL of Sterile Water for Injection. The dose for adults is 5 mg intramuscularly; for children, 3 mg. Blood pressure is recorded every 5 minutes for 30-45 minutes following injection. A positive response is indicated when the blood pressure is reduced 35 mmHg systolic and 25 mmHg diastolic, or more, within 20 minutes following injection.
Contraindications
4.
Contraindications
OraVerse is contraindicated in patients with: Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any ingredients in the formulation OraVerse is contraindicated in patients with: Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any ingredients in the formulation. ( 4 )
Known Adverse Reactions
6.
Adverse Reactions
In clinical trials, the most common adverse reaction with OraVerse that was greater than the control group was injection site pain. The most common adverse reaction with OraVerse (incidence ≥5% and > control) is injection-site pain. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Septodont at 1-888-888-1441 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Dental patients were administered a dose of either 0.2, 0.4 or 0.8mg of OraVerse. The majority of adverse reactions were mild and resolved within 48 hours. There were no serious adverse reactions and no discontinuations due to adverse reactions.
Table
1 lists adverse reactions where the frequency was greater than or equal to 3% in any OraVerse dose group and was equal to or exceeded that of the control group.
Table
1: Adverse Reactions with Frequency Greater Than or Equal to 3% and Equal to or Exceeding Control Adverse Event OraVerse Control 0.2 mg (N = 83) 0.4 mg (N = 284) 0.8 mg (N = 51) Total (N = 418) Total (N = 359) N (%) N (%) N (%) N (%) N (%) Patients with AEs 15 (18) 82 (29) 20 (39) 117 (28) 96 (27)
Tachycardia
0 (0) 17 (6) 2 (4) 19 (5) 20 (6)
Bradycardia
0 (0) 5 (2) 2 (4) 7 (2) 1 (0.3) Injection site pain 5 (6) 15 (5) 2 (4) 22 (5) 14 (4) Post procedural pain 3 (4) 17 (6) 5 (10) 25 (6) 23 (6)
Headache
0 (0) 10 (4) 3 (6) 13 (3) 14 (4) An examination of population subgroups did not reveal a differential adverse reaction incidence on the basis of age, gender, or race. Results from the pain assessments in Study 1 and Study 2, involving mandibular and maxillary procedures, respectively, indicated that the majority of dental patients in both OraVerse and control groups experienced no or mild oral pain, with less than 10% of patients in each group reporting moderate oral pain with a similar distribution between the OraVerse and control groups. No patient experienced severe pain in these studies.
Study
4 included 150 pediatric patients between 2-5 years of age who received a dose of either ¼ cartridge (0.1 mg), ½ cartridge (0.2 mg) or 1 cartridge (0.4 mg) of OraVerse or sham injection (placebo). Safety in patients in Study 4 was similar to safety in older patients described above. Post-procedural revealed that oral pain was reported in the OraVerse group with a higher frequency (10.1%) than the placebo group (3.9%). The proportion of patients in the OraVerse and placebo groups was comparable with respect to the highest severity of pain experienced: 30.4% of OraVerse patients and 30% of placebo patients reported no pain; 43.1% of OraVerse patients and 45.0% of placebo patients reported mild pain; 19.0% of OraVerse subjects and 17.5% of placebo patients reported moderate pain; and 15.2% of OraVerse patients and 15.0% of placebo patients reported severe pain.
6.2 Adverse Reactions in Clinical Trials Adverse reactions reported by less than 3% but at least 2 dental patients receiving OraVerse and occurring at a greater incidence than those receiving control, included diarrhea, facial swelling, increased blood pressure/hypertension, injection site reactions, jaw pain, oral pain, paresthesia, pruritus, tenderness, upper abdominal pain and vomiting. The majority of these adverse reactions were mild and resolved within 48 hours. The few reports of paresthesia were mild and transient and resolved during the same time period.
6.3 Post Marketing Adverse Reactions Reports from Literature and Other Sources The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval parenteral use of phentolamine mesylate. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Acute and prolonged hypotensive episodes and cardiac arrhythmias have been reported with the use of phentolamine. In addition, weakness, dizziness, flushing, orthostatic hypotension, and nasal stuffiness have occurred.
Warnings
5.
Warnings And Precautions
Myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular spasm, and cerebrovascular occlusion have been reported to occur following the intravenous or intramuscular administration of phentolamine, usually in association with marked hypotensive episodes or shock-like states which occasionally follow parenteral administration. Tachycardia and cardiac arrhythmiasmay occur with the use of phentolamine or other alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. ( 5.1 )
5.1 Cardiovascular Events Myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular spasm, and cerebrovascular occlusion have been reported to occur following the parenteral administration of phentolamine. These events usually occurred in association with marked hypotensive episodes producing shock-like states. Tachycardia and cardiac arrhythmias may occur with the use of phentolamine or other alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. Although such effects are uncommon after administration of OraVerse, clinicians should be alert to the signs and symptoms of these events, particularly in patients with a prior history of cardiovascular disease.
Precautions
PRECAUTIONS General Tachycardia and cardiac arrhythmias may occur with the use of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP or other alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. When possible, administration of cardiac glycosides should be deferred until cardiac rhythm returns to normal.
Drug Interactions
See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION , Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma , Preparation . Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Long-term carcinogenicity studies, mutagenicity studies, and fertility studies have not been conducted with Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP .
Pregnancy
Category C Administration of Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP to pregnant rats and mice at oral doses 24-30 times the usual daily human dose (based on a 60-kg human) resulted in slightly decreased growth and slight skeletal immaturity of the fetuses. Immaturity was manifested by increased incidence of incomplete or unossified calcanei and phalangeal nuclei of the hind limb and of incompletely ossified sternebrae. At oral doses 60 times the usual daily human dose (based on a 60-kg human), a slightly lower rate of implantation was found in the rat.
Phentolamine
Mesylate for Injection, USP did not affect embryonic or fetal development in the rabbit at oral doses 20 times the usual daily human dose (based on a 60-kg human). No teratogenic or embryo toxic effects were observed in the rat, mouse, or rabbit studies. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Phentolamine
Mesylate for Injection, USP should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Nursing
Mothers It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from Phentolamine Mesylate for Injection, USP, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use
See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Drug Interactions
7.
Drug Interactions
There are no known drug interactions with OraVerse.