Allergic contact conjunctivitis and cross-reaction between phenylephrine and epinephrine due to phenylephrine eye drops

Phenylephrine is a sympathomimetic (α-adrenergic) drug used in eye drops to dilate the pupil to facilitate visualization of the retina and to treat nasal congestion and increased sinus pressure that result from rhinitis. Although sympathomimetic drugs are used often, allergic reactions are rare, especially when the drugs are administered systemically. Phenylephrine is responsible for most of the cases of allergic reactions to sympathomimetic reported in the literature.1 Since the first description of contact dermatitis to phenylephrine in 1979, further cases have been described.

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