Compare Phenylephrine vs. Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Phenylephrine eye drops
Sudafed pe pressure and pain (acetaminophen / phenylephrine)
Phenylephrine eye drops
Sudafed pe pressure and pain (acetaminophen / phenylephrine)
Summary of Phenylephrine vs. Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain
Summary for Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist
Prescription only
Phenylephrine eye drops are used to dilate (widen) pupils for eye exams or certain eye procedures. Side effects include temporary burning or stinging in the eye, blurry vision, and possibly raise your blood pressure. Let your provider know if your pregnant or breastfeeding because you might need to use a different medication.
Summary for Analgesic / Decongestant
Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain is an over-the-counter, brand-name product containing two active ingredients: acetaminophen (an analgesic that relieves pain) and phenylephrine (a decongestant that clears the sinuses). This combination medication is also available as lower-cost generics and under other brand names, such as Tylenol Sinus Plus Headache. In general, it's used to relieve symptoms from allergies and the common cold, such as pain and nasal and sinus congestion. This medication can also lower fevers. The caplets are taken by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Side effects aren't common but can include headache and dizziness.
Indications of Phenylephrine vs. Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain
Indications for
•Dilate (widen) pupils
Indications for
•Short-term relief of allergy and common cold symptoms, such as sinus congestion and pressure, nasal congestion (stuffy nose), headache, and minor aches and pains
•Short-term relief of fever
Pros and Cons of Phenylephrine vs. Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain
Pros and Const for Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist
Pros
•Can be used in adults and children
•Starts working quickly (within 15 minutes)
•Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Cons
•Can cause eye pain and stinging
•Dilating effects can last for up to 7 hours (or longer)
•The 10% strength can raise blood pressure in people with certain heart or thyroid problems
Pros and Const for Analgesic / Decongestant
Pros
•Can treat a wide variety of allergy and common cold symptoms
•More convenient to take two medications in one pill
•Available over the counter
•Available as lower-cost generics
Cons
•Might need to take every 4 hours to relieve symptoms
•More difficult to customize the dose since it's a combination of two medications