Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Phenoxybenzamine 10mg Capsules
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules belong to a group of medicines known as alpha blockers. These interfere with messages sent through nerves to control blood pressure. Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules are used to treat high blood pressure caused by a tumour of the adrenal glands called phaeochromocytoma. There are two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. In phaeochromocytoma, certain substances are released from the adrenal glands into the bloodstream in large quantities, causing high blood pressure. Your medicine is normally used when other alternative treatments are not appropriate.
What you need to know before you take it
e Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules Do not take Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules:
- if you are allergic to phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients (listed in Section 6), or to any other medicine that is used to lower blood pressure
- if you have ever had a stroke
- if you have had a heart attack (coronary thrombosis) within the last month. Speak to your doctor before you take this medicine if one of these applies to you. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules if:
- You are being treated for shock, or your blood pressure is abnormally low and unable to maintain an adequate supply of blood around your body
- You have rapid heartbeat
- You have angina (chest pains)
- You know that you have heart disease or heart failure (e.g. swelling of the ankles)
- You know that you have thickening of the arteries including those in the brain
- You have ever had kidney problems which damaged your kidneys. Speak to your doctor before you take this medicine if one of these applies to you. Other medicines and Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules: Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. The effects of any of these medicines may change when taken with Phenoxybenzamine. It is particularly important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any treatments for heart problems or blood pressure such as: beta-blockers (e.g. atenolol, bisoprolol), ACE inhibitors (e.g. captopril, enalapril), and calcium channel blockers (e.g. amlodipine, lacidipine). Pregnancy and breast feeding: Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicines. Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules should not be taken if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, or if you are breast feeding. Driving and using machines: Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. If this happens to you, speak to your doctor before you drive or use machines. Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules cotains lactose: If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
How to take it
Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. It is important to take your medicine at the right time. The capsules should be swallowed with a glass of water. Adults will normally begin with a dose of 1 capsule a day. Elderly patients may require a lower dose. Use in children Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules are not usually used in children, but when needed, the dose is calculated according to the child's weight. Your doctor may change your dose depending on the effect of this treatment, or may give you another medicine to take as well. Once you have started to take this medicine, your doctor will see you at regular intervals to monitor the effect and will tell you how long you need to take the capsules for. If you take more Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules than you should: If you take more capsules than you should, contact your doctor or nearest hospital immediately. Take any remaining capsules or this leaflet with you so the medical staff know exactly what you have taken. If you forget to take your Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules:
If you forget to take a dose, take the next capsule as soon as you remember, and then go on as before. It is very important, however, in order for your medicine to work, that doses are not forgotten. Do not take double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. These may include:
- Lightheadedness, dizziness and a fast heart beat when you stand up suddenly after sitting or lying down
- Blocked nose
- Stomach upset or diarrhoea
- Failure to ejaculate during intercourse
- Narrowing of the pupil of the eye
- Tiredness or feeling faint. If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine
How to store it
Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules if the pack is damaged. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Store in the original package in order to protect from light and moisture. If for any reason, you have any medicine left after your treatment, return it to your pharmacist. Remember: This medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give this medicine to someone else; it could harm them, even if their symptoms seem the same as yours.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules Contain: The active substance is Phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride and each capsule contains 10mg of this substance. The other ingredients are gelatin, lactose, talc, titanium dioxide (E171), indigotin (E132), erythrosine (E127), and edible grey ink.
What Phenoxybenzamine 10mg capsules look like and contents of the pack: Phenoxybenzamine 10mg Capsules are size no. three hard gelatin capsule with opaque body and a clear red cap, both printed with 'P10' in grey. The capsules are filled with a white powder. They are usually supplied in blister packs of 30 capsules in a carton. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Mercury Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Dashwood House, 69 Old Broad Street, London, EC2M 1QS, United Kingdom Manufacturer: Dales Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Snaygill Industrial Estate, Keighley Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 2RW Alternate Manufacturer: Central Pharma (Contract packing) Limited, Caxton Road, Bedford , MK41 0XZ, UK This leaflet was last revised in September 2023. 101944/LF/4
Frequently asked questions about Phenoxybenzamine 10mg Capsules
How do I take Phenoxybenzamine 10mg Capsules?
Phenoxybenzamine 10mg Capsules comes as capsule containing 10mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Phenoxybenzamine 10mg Capsules?
The active substance in Phenoxybenzamine 10mg Capsules is phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Phenoxybenzamine 10mg Capsules, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Phenoxybenzamine 10mg Capsules without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Hypertensive episodes associated with Phaeochromocytoma.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
Adults: The usual starting dose is 10 mg daily. This may be increased by 10 mg daily until control of hypertensive episodes is achieved, or postural hypotension occurs. Usually the dosage required is 1-2 mg/kg body weight daily in two doses. Concomitant beta-adrenergic blockade may be necessary to control tachycardia and arrythmias notably when tumours are secreting an appreciable amount of adrenaline as well as noradrenaline.
Elderly: Use with caution: 10mg daily dose should be sufficient (see Contra-Indications and Cautions below).
Paediatric population: There is little experience in children but, doses of 1 to 2 mg/kg daily have been used successfully.
Method of Administration
Oral
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Do not use in patients who have had a cerebrovascular accident; or in the recovery period (usually 3-4 weeks) after acute myocardial infarction.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Use with great caution in patients in whom a fall in blood pressure and/or tachycardia may be undesirable, such as the elderly or those with severe heart disease, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease or renal damage. The mode of action should be borne in mind, if used concurrently with α-sympatho-mimetics or myocardial depressants.
Phenoxybenzamine is carcinogenic in the rat and has shown mutagenic activity in the bacterial Ames test and mouse lymphoma assay. It should only be used after very careful consideration of the risks, in patients in which alternative treatment is inappropriate.
Excipients
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
See under Special Precautions and Warnings.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There is little evidence of safety of Dibenyline in pregnancy and it should not be used in pregnancy unless essential.
Breast-feeding
No data available
Fertility
No data available
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None known.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Side effects are generally mild and transient but may include the following adverse reactions:
Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)
System organ class
Frequency
Adverse reactions
Nervous system disorders
Not known
dizziness
Eye disorders
Not known
miosis
Cardiac disorders
Not known
compensatory tachycardia
Vascular disorders
Not known
postural hypotension
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Not known
nasal congestion
Gastrointestinal disorders
Not known
gastro-intestinal upset
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Not known
inhibition of ejaculation
General disorders and administration site conditions
Not known
lassitude
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme, Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store
4.9. Overdose
Symptoms
The main effect of overdosage is profound hypotension, which may last several hours, tachycardia and collapse.
Management
Treatment consists of the induction of vomiting and/or gastric lavage together with appropriate symptomatic and supportive measures.
Treat hypotension with plasma expanders and the 'head down' position.
Noradrenaline is of little value when α-adrenergic receptors are blocked.
Adrenaline should not be used since stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors will further increase blood pressure.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Phenoxybenzamine 10mg Capsules. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.