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Drugs A–Z

Phentolamine Mesylate

Phentolamine Mesylate is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.

Type
Prescription only (Rx)
Brand names
Oraverse
Taken
Submucosal
Label
Septodont, Inc., revised December 5, 2018 · full label on DailyMed
Generic
FDA-approved (2 companies) · details

What it is used for

1. INDICATONS AND USAGE OraVerse an alpha adrenergic blocker, is indicated for adult and pediatric patients ages 3 years and older for the reversal of soft-tissue anesthesia, i.e., anesthesia of the lip and tongue, and the associated functional deficits resulting from an intraoral submucosal injection of a local anesthetic containing a vasoconstrictor. OraVerse, an alpha adrenergic blocker, is indicated for adult and pediatric patients ages 3 years and older for the reversal of soft-tissue anesthesia, i.e., anesthesia of the lip and tongue, and the associated functional deficits resulting from an intraoral submucosal injection of a local anesthetic containing a vasoconstrictor. ( 1 )

Forms and strengths

3. DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS 0.4 mg/1.7 mL solution per cartridge 0.4 mg/1.7 mL solution per cartridge ( 3 )

Who should not take it (contraindications)

4. CONTRAINDICATIONS OraVerse is contraindicated in patients with: Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any ingredients in the formulation OraVerse is contraindicated in patients with: Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any ingredients in the formulation. ( 4 )

Warnings and precautions

5. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular spasm, and cerebrovascular occlusion have been reported to occur following the intravenous or intramuscular administration of phentolamine, usually in association with marked hypotensive episodes or shock-like states which occasionally follow parenteral administration. Tachycardia and cardiac arrhythmiasmay occur with the use of phentolamine or other alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. ( 5.1 )

5.1 Cardiovascular Events Myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular spasm, and cerebrovascular occlusion have been reported to occur following the parenteral administration of phentolamine. These events usually occurred in association with marked hypotensive episodes producing shock-like states. Tachycardia and cardiac arrhythmias may occur with the use of phentolamine or other alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. Although such effects are uncommon after administration of OraVerse, clinicians should be alert to the signs and symptoms of these events, particularly in patients with a prior history of cardiovascular disease.

Side effects (adverse reactions)

6. ADVERSE REACTIONS In clinical trials, the most common adverse reaction with OraVerse that was greater than the control group was injection site pain. The most common adverse reaction with OraVerse (incidence ≥5% and > control) is injection-site pain. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Septodont at 1-888-888-1441 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Dental patients were administered a dose of either 0.2, 0.4 or 0.8mg of OraVerse. The majority of adverse reactions were mild and resolved within 48 hours. There were no serious adverse reactions and no discontinuations due to adverse reactions. Table 1 lists adverse reactions where the frequency was greater than or equal to 3% in any OraVerse dose group and was equal to or exceeded that of the control group. Table 1: Adverse Reactions with Frequency Greater Than or Equal to 3% and Equal to or Exceeding Control Adverse Event OraVerse Control 0.2 mg (N = 83) 0.4 mg (N = 284) 0.8 mg (N = 51) Total (N = 418) Total (N = 359) N (%) N (%) N (%) N (%) N (%) Patients with AEs 15 (18) 82 (29) 20 (39) 117 (28) 96 (27) Tachycardia 0 (0) 17 (6) 2 (4) 19 (5) 20 (6) Bradycardia 0 (0) 5 (2) 2 (4) 7 (2) 1 (0.3) Injection site pain 5 (6) 15 (5) 2 (4) 22 (5) 14 (4) Post procedural pain 3 (4) 17 (6) 5 (10) 25 (6) 23 (6) Headache 0 (0) 10 (4) 3 (6) 13 (3) 14 (4) An examination of population subgroups did not reveal a differential adverse reaction incidence on the basis of age, gender, or race. Results from the pain assessments in Study 1 and Study 2, involving mandibular and maxillary procedures, respectively, indicated that the majority of dental patients in both OraVerse and control groups experienced no or mild oral pain, with less than 10% of patients in each group reporting moderate oral pain with a similar distribution between the OraVerse and control groups. No patient experienced severe pain in these studies. Study 4 included 150 pediatric patients between 2-5 years of age who received a dose of either ¼ cartridge (0.1 mg), ½ cartridge (0.2 mg) or 1 cartridge (0.4 mg) of OraVerse or sham injection (placebo). Safety in patients in Study 4 was similar to safety in older patients described above. Post-procedural revealed that oral pain was reported in the OraVerse group with a higher frequency (10.1%) than the placebo group (3.9%). The proportion of patients in the OraVerse and placebo groups was comparable with respect to the highest severity of pain experienced: 30.4% of OraVerse patients and 30% of placebo patients reported no pain; 43.1% of OraVerse patients and 45.0% of placebo patients reported mild pain; 19.0% of OraVerse subjects and 17.5% of placebo patients reported moderate pain; and 15.2% of OraVerse patients and 15.0% of placebo patients reported severe pain.

6.2 Adverse Reactions in Clinical Trials Adverse reactions reported by less than 3% but at least 2 dental patients receiving OraVerse and occurring at a greater incidence than those receiving control, included diarrhea, facial swelling, increased blood pressure/hypertension, injection site reactions, jaw pain, oral pain, paresthesia, pruritus, tenderness, upper abdominal pain and vomiting. The majority of these adverse reactions were mild and resolved within 48 hours. The few reports of paresthesia were mild and transient and resolved during the same time period.

6.3 Post Marketing Adverse Reactions Reports from Literature and Other Sources The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval parenteral use of phentolamine mesylate. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Acute and prolonged hypotensive episodes and cardiac arrhythmias have been reported with the use of phentolamine. In addition, weakness, dizziness, flushing, orthostatic hypotension, and nasal stuffiness have occurred.

Drug interactions

7. DRUG INTERACTIONS There are no known drug interactions with OraVerse.

7.1 Lidocaine and Epinephrine When OraVerse was administered as an intraoral submucosal injection 30 minutes after injection of a local anesthetic, 2% lidocaine HCl with 1:100,000 epinephrine, the lidocaine concentration increased immediately after OraVerse intraoral injection. Lidocaine AUC and Cmax values were not affected by administration of OraVerse. OraVerse administration did not affect the PK of epinephrine.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults

8. USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Use in pediatric patients less than 3 years of age or <15 kg (33 lbs) has not been established. ( 8.4 ) In pediatric patients weighing at least 10 kg (22 lbs), the maximum dose of OraVerse recommended is 1/4cartridge (0.1 mg). ( 8.4 )

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Category C Risk summary There are no available data with OraVerse in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. In animal toxicology studies, phentolamine administered orally to pregnant mice and rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in skeletal immaturity and decreased growth in the offspring at doses at least 24-times the recommended dose. Additionally, a lower rate of implantation was seen in pregnant rats treated with phentolamine at least 60-times the recommended dose. No malformations or embryofetal deaths were observed in the offspring of pregnant mice, rats, and rabbits administered phentolamine during the period of organogenesis at doses 24-, 60-, and 20-times, respectively, the recommended dose [see Data]. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Oral administration of phentolamine to pregnant rats and mice at doses at least 24-times the recommended dose (based on a mg/m2 comparison with a 60 kg human) resulted in slightly decreased growth and slight skeletal immaturity of the fetuses. Immaturity was manifested by increased incidence of incomplete or unossified calcanei and phalangeal nuclei of the hind limb and of incompletely ossified sternebrae. At oral phentolamine doses at least 60-times the recommended dose (based on a mg/m2 comparison with a 60 kg human),a slightly lower rate of implantation was found in the rat. Phentolamine did not affect embryonic or fetal development in the rabbit at oral doses at least 20-times the recommended dose (based on a mg/m2 comparison with a 60 kg human). No malformations or embryofetal deaths were observed in the rat, mouse or rabbit studies.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There is no information regarding the presence of phentolamine in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for OraVerse and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from OraVerse, or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and efficacy of OraVerse has not been established in patients younger than 3 years. The safety and effectiveness of OraVerse in pediatric patients ages 3 years and older is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of OraVerse in adults, with additional adequate and well-controlled studies of OraVerse in pediatric patients ages 12-17 years old [Studies 1 (mandibular procedures) and 2 (maxillary procedures)], ages 6-11 years old [Study 3 (mandibular and maxillary procedures)], and another study in patients ages 2-5 years [Study 4]. Study 4 assessed safety and effectiveness in patients 4 to 5 years, but was not designed to demonstrate efficacy. Use in patients 3 to <4 years is supported by similar pharmacokinetics and safety in these patients compared with older pediatric patients (see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Use of OraVerse in this age group (3 to < 4 years) is also supported by the similarity in the exposure response of OraVerse for pediatric and adult patients, and the adequacy of the safety database for patients age ≥ 3. The safety database for patients age < 3 is limited, and therefore, use in patients age < 3 is not recommended. Dosages in pediatric patients may need to be limited based on body weight. [see Dosage and Administration (2) ]

8.5 Geriatric Use Of the total number of patients in clinical studies of OraVerse, 55 were 65 and over, while 21 were 75 and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

How it works

The mechanism by which OraVerse accelerates reversal of soft-tissue anesthesia and the associated functional deficits is not fully understood. Phentolamine mesylate, the active ingredient in OraVerse, produces an alpha-adrenergic block of relatively short duration resulting in vasodilatation when applied to vascular smooth muscle. In an animal model, OraVerse increased local blood flow in submucosal tissue of the dog when given after an intraoral injection of lidocaine 2% with 1:100,000 epinephrine.

Is there a generic Phentolamine Mesylate?

Yes. The FDA has approved generic Phentolamine Mesylate from 2 companies whose approvals are active. The earliest of these was approved in 1998.

An FDA approval does not always mean the generic is already in pharmacies: patent disputes and settlements can delay a launch for years. Your pharmacist can tell you whether a generic is actually available and covered by your plan.

The FDA rates these generics as therapeutically equivalent to the brand ("A" rating): same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and effect. Pharmacists can usually substitute them unless the prescriber says otherwise.

Companies with an approved generic

Hikma, Precision Dose Inc

Brand-name versions

  • Regitine Novartis, approved 1952 Discontinued
  • Oraverse Septodont Holding, approved 2008
  • Ryzumvi Famygen Life Sci, approved 2023

Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.

Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.

Phentolamine in the news

We have not covered this medicine yet. Latest news

Recalls

  • Class II Ongoing

    OraVerse, (Phentolamine Mesylate) Injection, 0.4 mg/1.7mL, packaged in a carton containing 10 cartridges, 0.4 mg/1.7mL, Rx only, Made in Canada by Novocol Pharmaceutical of Canada, Inc., Distributed by Septodont, Inc., L…

    Reason: Defective container: cracked/broken cartridges

    Novocol Pharmaceutical of Canada, Inc.

    Lots, distribution and details
    Product
    OraVerse, (Phentolamine Mesylate) Injection, 0.4 mg/1.7mL, packaged in a carton containing 10 cartridges, 0.4 mg/1.7mL, Rx only, Made in Canada by Novocol Pharmaceutical of Canada, Inc., Distributed by Septodont, Inc., Louisville, Co, 80027, NDC 0362-0101-10
    Lots / codes
    Lot: D05004E, expires: 04-30-2027
    Distribution
    U.S.A. Nationwide
    Quantity
    1,636 cartons
    Recall started
    October 31, 2025 (Voluntary: Firm initiated)
    Severity
    Could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems; serious harm is unlikely.
    FDA recall number
    D-0234-2026
  • Class II Ongoing

    PHENTOLAMINE 10MG/ML INJECTION, 10MG/ML SOLUTION, 10 mL vial, Rx only, Vital Care Compounder, 115 S. 40th Ave., Hattiesburg, MS 39402

    Reason: Lack of Assurance of Sterility: FDA inspection found the recalled products were produced in a manner than cannot guarantee the sterility of the products purported to be sterile.

    Pharmacy Plus, Inc. dba Vital Care Compounder

    Lots, distribution and details
    Product
    PHENTOLAMINE 10MG/ML INJECTION, 10MG/ML SOLUTION, 10 mL vial, Rx only, Vital Care Compounder, 115 S. 40th Ave., Hattiesburg, MS 39402
    Lots / codes
    Lots: 60586, BUD: 11/01/2022; 64203, BUD: 01/28/2023
    Distribution
    AL, LA, MS, and TN
    Quantity
    10 vials
    Recall started
    October 7, 2022 (Voluntary: Firm initiated)
    Severity
    Could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems; serious harm is unlikely.
    FDA recall number
    D-0050-2023
  • Class II Ongoing

    Phentolamine 20 mg/ml Injection, compounded by Olympia Pharmacy, Orlando, FL

    Reason: Lack of Assurance of Sterility: FDA inspection findings resulted in concerns regarding quality control processes

    Lowlite Investments, Inc. D/B/A Olympia Pharmacy

    Lots, distribution and details
    Lots / codes
    B31012 Exp 8/31/13, B5102 Exp 8/10/13, C5228 Exp 9/22/13, B5012 Exp 12/31/13, and C5111 exp 9/11/13
    Distribution
    Nationwide and PR
    Quantity
    5
    Recall started
    May 29, 2013 (Voluntary: Firm initiated)
    Severity
    Could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems; serious harm is unlikely.
    FDA recall number
    D-770-2013

Have this medicine at home? Compare the lot number and expiry date on your package with the recall. Do not stop taking a prescribed medicine on your own — stopping suddenly can be riskier than the recalled lot. Your pharmacist can check it and usually swap it for an unaffected one.

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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID 4025cf98-ea87-4531-b0fc-6283c84f63f3.


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Important: this content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a prescribing instruction, or a recommendation to act. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication.

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