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AI-Generated response:

What are the side effects of phentolamine?

Answer generated on June 4, 2024

The AI-generated responses are for illustration purposes only and should not be used for medical purposes.

Phentolamine can cause significant cardiovascular effects such as acute and prolonged hypotensive episodes, tachycardia, and cardiac arrhythmias.[1]

It is also associated with a range of other side effects including weakness, dizziness, flushing, orthostatic hypotension, nasal congestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and priapism.[1-2]

  • Cardiovascular disturbances include angina, bradycardia, hypertension, and sinus tachycardia.[1-2]

  • Gastrointestinal effects reported are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.[2]

  • Ocular side effects include conjunctival hyperemia and ocular pain.[2]

  • Neurological and sensory disturbances such as headache and paresthesias have been noted.[2]

  • Unique adverse effects like ejaculation dysfunction and priapism have been reported, particularly with intracavernosal injection.[2]

Additional info

Phentolamine is a non-selective alpha-adrenergic antagonist used to manage hypertensive emergencies and diagnose pheochromocytoma, among other uses. Its vasodilatory effects, which are beneficial in reducing blood pressure, can also lead to adverse cardiovascular reactions such as severe hypotension and tachycardia, which require careful monitoring and management. The occurrence of priapism, although rare, is a serious condition that necessitates immediate medical attention to prevent long-term complications. Given these potential risks, the use of phentolamine must be carefully weighed against its benefits, and patients should be monitored closely for any signs of adverse effects. This vigilance is crucial in preventing and promptly addressing any complications that may arise during treatment with phentolamine.

References

Reference 1

1.

Food and Drug Administration (DailyMed).

Publish date: March 3, 2024.

Adverse Reactions ADVERSE REACTIONS Acute and prolonged hypotensive episodes, tachycardia, and cardiac arrhythmias have been reported. In addition, weakness, dizziness, flushing, orthostatic hypotension, nasal stuffiness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur.

Reference 2

2.

Elsevier ClinicalKey Drug Monograph

Content last updated: April 1, 2024.

Adverse Reactions Acute and prolonged hypotensive episodes, sinus tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, and/or angina have all occurred with parenteral administration of phentolamine. These effects may be due to the drug's cardiac-stimulating and vasodilatory effects. Other adverse effects seen with phentolamine therapy include weakness, dizziness, flushing, and orthostatic hypotension. Flushing may be due to dilation of the facial blood vessels. During reversal of soft tissue anesthesia in studies of pediatric and adult patients (n = 418), phentolamine (OraVerse) was associated with tachycardia, bradycardia, and elevations in blood pressure (hypertension) in 5%, 2%, and < 3% of patients, respectively.

Adverse Reactions Nausea and vomiting can occur with the parenteral use of phentolamine. Diarrhea secondary to phentolamine may result from stimulation of GI smooth muscle. During reversal of soft tissue anesthesia in studies of pediatric and adult patients (n = 418), phentolamine (OraVerse) was associated with diarrhea, vomiting, and upper abdominal pain in less than 3% of patients. Dysgeusia was reported in 6% of patients treated with phentolamine ophthalmic solution in clinical trials.

Adverse Reactions 1. conjunctival hyperemia 2. dental pain 3. ocular pain 4. abdominal pain 5. bradycardia 6. diarrhea 7. dysgeusia 8. headache 9. hypertension 10. injection site reaction 11. paresthesias 12. pruritus 13. sinus tachycardia 14. vomiting 15. angina 16. dizziness 17. ejaculation dysfunction 18. flushing 19. nasal congestion 20. nausea 21. orthostatic hypotension 22. priapism 23. weakness

Adverse Reactions Priapism has occasionally been reported after intracavernosal injection of phentolamine into the penis. Penile ecchymosis is a common adverse effect of this treatment, as is transient pain. Ejaculation dysfunction has also been reported.

Adverse Reactions The most common ocular adverse reactions reported in patients receiving phentolamine ophthalmic solution in clinical trials were ocular pain, stinging, and burning (16%) and conjunctival hyperemia (12%).

Adverse Reactions Cerebrovascular spasm and cerebrovascular occlusion have been reported following phentolamine administration. During reversal of soft tissue anesthesia in studies of pediatric and adult patients (n = 418), phentolamine (OraVerse) was associated with headache in 3% of patients. The incidence of headache increased with increasing dosage. Paresthesias occurred in < 3% of patients. Paraesthesias were transient and resolved within 48 hours.

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