Question

9. Assume that your employer, a busy physician, has asked you to help screen patients for potential prescription drug problems. Patient X visited the doctor's office today complaining of "sinus"-sinus congestion, pressure, and headache. The doctor diagnosed an upper respiratory virus and prescribed phenylephrine for the sinus congestion and discomfort. You study Patient X's chart and note that he has a history of hypertension. What should you advise the doctor about the drug she has prescribed for Patient X?

Answer 1

PHENYLEPHRINE DRUG HAS A VASOCONSTRICTOR PROPERTY THAT CAN CAUSE VASOCONSTRICTION, INCREASE IN SYSTOLIC AND DIASTOLIC PRESSURE AND RESULTING IN SLOW HEART RATE . AS THE PATIENT HAS A HISTORY OF HYPERTENSION , THIS DRUG CAN ELEVATE THE BLOOD PRESSURE , SO IT WOULD BE BETTER TO HAVE ANOTHER DRUG OF CHOICE FOR THE SINUS CONGESTION.