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McKesson Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg Tablet, Film Coated — NDC 68599-1631-03 package photo
Label image from the product's FDA listing (DailyMed) — may show a different pack size or an older label revision.

McKesson Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg Tablet, Film Coated — NDC 68599-1631-3 (Billing 68599-1631-03)

by McKesson Medical-Surgical · 250 PACKET in 1 BOX / 2 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 PACKET

This is a package of McKesson Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg Tablet, Film Coated from McKesson Medical-Surgical, marketed since Sep 2022 and currently FDA-listed, this package's marketing is listed to end Aug 2027. It is this product's only package size.

NDC 68599-1631-03
🏷️ FDA NDC (as labeled) 68599-1631-3 billing pads the package segment with a zero
OTC On market Non-controlled ⇄ Compare with another NDC
🗂️ FDA directory synced Oct 1, 2026 · this listing last changed Jul 24, 2026 · sources: openFDA · FDA label (DailyMed) · FDA Orange & Purple Book · First Databank · CMS NADAC, ASP, Medicare & Medicaid · RxNorm
📋 All sources & update times →

This page is curated, coded, and maintained by

Compiled from public FDA, CMS, DailyMed, NADAC, and related drug data sources. Editorial policy

Identity & classification

Regulatory identifiers FDA, NLM and CMS codes for this package

FDA NDC (as labeled) 68599-1631-3
Product NDC 68599-1631
11-digit billing NDC 68599163103
RxCUI 1299145
UNII 04JA59TNSJ
Application # M012
SPL Set ID e09060f7-ca0b-5f7c-e053-2995a90ab344
Established class (EPC) alpha-1 Adrenergic Agonist
Mechanism of action Adrenergic alpha1-Agonists
DEA schedule Non-controlled
Marketing category OTC MONOGRAPH DRUG
Marketing status On market
FDA listing status Listed (active directory)
Marketing start 2022-09-01
Marketing end 2027-08-31
Route ORAL
Dosage form TABLET, FILM COATED
Substance PHENYLEPHRINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Quick answers
  • RxCUI (RxNorm): 1299145
Why two NDCs? The FDA registers this code as 68599-1631-3 — a 5-4-1 layout, and that's what's printed on the package and shown on DailyMed. For insurance claims, every NDC is standardized to a uniform 11-digit 5-4-2 format by adding a zero to the package segment → 68599-1631-03. Same drug, same package — only the format differs.
Where does this data come from?
Identifiers from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Structured Product Labeling; RxCUI from RxNorm (NLM); GPI from Medi-Span; GCN / HIC / AHFS / legend from First Databank.

RxNorm drug class

This medicine belongs to the alpha-1 Adrenergic Agonist class.

Pharmacologic class alpha-1 Adrenergic Agonist
Drug family (ATC) Sympathomimetics excl. antiglaucoma preparations, Adrenergic and dopaminergic agents, Other agents for treatment of hemorrhoids and anal fissures for topical use
How it works Adrenergic alpha1-Agonists
Where does this data come from?
Therapeutic classes from RxNorm RxClass (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Established Pharmacologic Class (FDA), ATC drug family (WHO) and mechanism of action, matched by this product’s RxCUI.

Clinical

📖 What it is MedlinePlus · NLM

Phenylephrine is used to relieve nasal discomfort caused by colds, allergies, and hay fever. It is also used to relieve sinus congestion and pressure. Phenylephrine will relieve symptoms but will not treat the cause of the symptoms or speed recovery. Phenylephrine is in a class of medications called nasal decongestants. It works by reducing swelling of the blood vessels in the nasal passages.

Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗
📗 Our plain-language guide HelloPharmacist
  • It depends on the product. The injection raises low blood pressure during anesthesia and, for some products, septic shock. Eye drops dilate the pupil, nasal products relieve conges...
  • Be careful. Over-the-counter phenylephrine should not be used with a prescription MAOI or within 2 weeks of stopping one. If you aren't sure whether your medicine is an MAOI, ask m...
  • With the injection, the most common are nausea, vomiting and headache. Call for help right away if you have chest pain, a very slow heartbeat, or pain or skin changes around the IV...
  • Stop and talk to a doctor if you get nervousness, dizziness or sleeplessness. Also stop if symptoms last more than 7 days or come with a fever. Don't use more than the label recomm...
📖 Read our full Phenylephrine guide →

Supplement & herbal interactions

🌿 Drug–supplement interaction checker →
Where does this data come from?
Plain-language summary from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); supplement & herbal interactions and nutrient depletion data from the Natural Medicines database; our full guide is HelloPharmacist editorial content.

Pricing

A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.

Price systemPer eachPer package
Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly Not in the retail survey — common for institutional, discontinued, or low-volume packs.
Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo No recent Medicaid claims on file for this NDC — rare and low-volume NDCs are suppressed in the public data.
Medicare drug plans payPart D · quarterly No Part D plan price is available for this NDC in our data.
ℹ️
No price is published for this exact package yet. CMS surveys NADAC per package size, so a different pack of the same drug often has one.
Where does this data come from?
NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) is the CMS weekly pharmacy-acquisition-cost survey — what pharmacies pay. ASP (Average Sales Price) is the CMS Medicare Part B drug-payment file, published quarterly. Medicaid pays is computed by us from CMS State Drug Utilization Data (total reimbursed ÷ units, trailing 12 months) — gross of rebates and inclusive of dispensing fees, so it reflects what Medicaid paid, not an acquisition cost. Medicare drug plans pay is the median negotiated point-of-sale unit cost across plans listing this NDC in the CMS quarterly Prescription Drug Plan pricing files, before rebates. The VA pays is the federal contract price (FSS, and the statutory Big 4 ceiling where listed) from the VA National Acquisition Center pharmaceutical price file. All are free public government data; each measures a different payer, so the figures are not directly comparable.

Packaging — all sizes for this product

Package NDCDescription Marketing startMarketing endStatus
68599-1631-03 You're viewing this Main listing 250 PACKET in 1 BOX / 2 TABLET, FILM COATED in 1 PACKET 2022-09-01 Aug 31, 2027 Active

Therapeutic equivalents

ProductLabelerPackNADAC/unitTEStatusPrice vs. this
Actifed 5 mg 27854-0119-01 Belmora 50 tablets — — Discontinued —
Green Guard Allergy 2 Relief 5 mg 47682-0017-33 Unifirst 2 tablets — — FDA listed —
Medique Medi-Phenyl 5 mg 47682-0161-13 Unifirst 2 tablets — — FDA listed —
Dover Sudanyl PE 5 mg 47682-0162-13 Unifirst 2 tablets — — FDA listed —
McKesson Phenylephrine HCl 5 mgthis 68599-1631-03 McKesson 2 tablets — — FDA listed —
Decongestant PE Non Drowsy 5 mg 69168-0271-17 Allegiant 300 tablets — — FDA listed —
NASAL and SINUS DECONGESTANT 5 mg 73598-1262-01 JHK 100 tablets — — FDA listed —
NASAL and SINUS DECONGESTANT 5 mg 73598-1264-01 JHK 250 tablets — — FDA listed —
About this product: other versions of the same ingredient, strength and form are listed above, least expensive first, with FDA equivalence ratings where available.
Where does this data come from?
Equivalents are other NDCs of the same ingredient, form and route from the openFDA NDC Directory, ranked least-expensive-first by NADAC. Therapeutic-equivalence (AB) ratings come from the FDA Orange Book; biologics use the FDA Purple Book for biosimilar & interchangeable status.

Availability & generic status

🏛️
2022
On the market since
Sep 2022
📍
2026
Currently FDA-listed
4 years listed
🔒
·
No generic listed yet
brand only
ℹ️No FDA-approved generic found

We did not find an FDA-approved generic match for this exact strength, form and route.

Where does this data come from?
Patents and exclusivity from the FDA Orange Book (small-molecule drugs), refreshed from public FDA data. Generic launch timing is an estimate, not a guarantee.

What it looks like

Color red
ShapeRound
Imprint271
Size7 mm
ScoringNot scored
One label can cover several strengths, so colors may be combined — always confirm a loose pill against the dispensed prescription label or a pharmacist.
Where does this data come from?
Physical description (imprint, shape, color, scoring, coating) from this product’s FDA Structured Product Labeling (SPL), mirrored from DailyMed / openFDA.

Inactive Ingredients / Excipients

Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.

💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.

  • UNII OP1R32D61U
    Microcrystalline cellulose is a purified form of cellulose, a natural fiber from plant sources. It acts as a binder and filler in tablets and capsules, helping hold ingredients together and give the medicine its shape and size.
  • UNII M28OL1HH48
    Croscarmellose sodium is a plant-based substance derived from cellulose. It acts as a disintegrant, helping tablets and capsules break down quickly in the digestive system so the medicine can be absorbed.
  • UNII WZB9127XOA
    A synthetic red dye used to color medications and make them easier to identify. It serves as a colorant in tablets, capsules, and liquid formulations.
  • UNII H77VEI93A8
    A synthetic yellow dye used to color medications. It helps identify the drug and make it visually distinctive, with no effect on how the medicine works.
  • UNII 3NXW29V3WO
    Hypromellose is a plant-based thickener made from cellulose. It's used in medicines as a binder to hold ingredients together, a coating for tablets, and a thickener for liquids.
  • UNII J2B2A4N98G
    Lactose is a natural sugar derived from milk. In medications, it serves as a filler and binder to add bulk and help hold tablet or capsule ingredients together during manufacturing.
  • UNII 70097M6I30
    Magnesium stearate is a salt made from magnesium and stearic acid, a fatty substance. It's used in tablets and capsules as a lubricant and glidant to help ingredients flow smoothly during manufacturing and prevent sticking.
  • UNII 3WJQ0SDW1A
    Polyethylene glycol is a synthetic liquid or solid polymer used in medicines as a solvent, lubricant, and humectant. It helps dissolve active ingredients, reduces friction during manufacturing, and retains moisture in the final product.
  • UNII 6DC9Q167V3
    Propylene glycol is a clear liquid derived from petroleum or vegetable sources. It acts as a solvent, humectant, and preservative in medicines, helping dissolve active ingredients and maintain product stability.
  • UNII ETJ7Z6XBU4
    Silicon dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral used as a glidant and anti-caking agent. It helps powder ingredients flow smoothly and prevents clumping during manufacturing and storage.
  • UNII 15FIX9V2JP
    Titanium dioxide is a bright white mineral powder commonly used as a colorant and opacifying agent. It makes pills and tablets white or lighter in color and helps make coatings non-transparent.

11 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.

The official label also statesInactive ingredients croscarmellose sodium, FD&C red #40, FD&C yellow #6, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide

Label-section wording can be broader than the structured product block and may mention additional formulation ingredients.

Where does this data come from?
Data sourced from official FDA Structured Product Labeling (SPL) via DailyMed — ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.

Inactive ingredient FAQ

Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
No. Inactive ingredients can differ by manufacturer, dosage form, strength, and package / product version.
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Some SPLs do not provide a complete structured inactive-ingredient list, and older or unusual labels may only include the information in narrative text.
Can inactive ingredients matter?
Yes. They can matter for allergies, intolerances, dyes, gluten / lactose concerns, preservatives, and formulation differences — but confirm with a pharmacist or the manufacturer when it’s clinically important.

Manufacturer & labeler

LabelerMcKesson Medical-Surgical
FDA applicationM012 (OTC MONOGRAPH DRUG)
Labeler code68599
First marketedSep 2022
Product typeHuman Otc Drug
Portfolio18 products on file
The labeler markets the product; the application holder owns the FDA approval. They’re often the same company but can differ (e.g. a repackager or an authorized generic). A mailing address / phone appears here when the manufacturer includes it in the product’s FDA label (not all do).
Where does this data come from?
Labeler, application holder and registered establishment from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Drugs@FDA; address/contact from the product’s FDA label.

FDA label — Drug Facts FDA SPL

The complete FDA label for this product — the official Drug Facts labeling, verbatim, section by section. Jump with a chip, search within the label, or expand everything.
🎯 Indications and Usage ⏱️ Dosage and Administration ⚠️ Warnings 🧪 Active Ingredient 🧪 Inactive Ingredients 🎯 Purpose 📄 Do Not Use 📄 Ask a Doctor Before Use If 📄 When Using This Product 📄 Stop Use and Ask a Doctor If 🤰 If Pregnant or Breast-Feeding 📄 Keep Out of Reach of Children 📄 Other Information 📄 Questions or Comments 📄 Package Label / Principal Display Panel
🎯 Indications and Usage 21 words ▾

Uses Temporarily relieves nasal congestion due to the common cold, hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies sinus congestion and pressure

⏱️ Dosage and Administration 37 words ▾

Directions do not use more than directed Adults and children: (12 years and older) Take 2 tablets every 4-6 hours. Do not take more than 12 tablets in 24 hours. Children under 12 years: Ask a doctor

⚠️ Warnings 1 words ▾

Warnings

🧪 Active Ingredient 8 words ▾

Active ingredient (in each tablet) Phenylephrine HCl 5mg

🧪 Inactive Ingredients 24 words ▾

Inactive ingredients croscarmellose sodium, FD&C red #40, FD&C yellow #6, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide

🎯 Purpose 3 words ▾

Purpose Nasal decongestant

📄 Do Not Use 55 words ▾

Do not use If you are now taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (certain drugs for depression, psychiatric, or emotional conditions, or Parkinson's disease), or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug. If you do not know if your prescription drug contains an MAOI, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

📄 Ask a Doctor Before Use If 24 words ▾

Ask a doctor before use if you have heart disease high blood pressure thyroid disease diabetes trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland

📄 When Using This Product 9 words ▾

When using this product do not exceed recommended dosage

📄 Stop Use and Ask a Doctor If 25 words ▾

Stop use and ask a doctor if you get nervous, dizzy, or sleepless symptoms do not improve within 7 days or are accompanied by fever

🤰 If Pregnant or Breast-Feeding 11 words ▾

If pregnant or breast-feeding , ask a health professional before use.

📄 Keep Out of Reach of Children 22 words ▾

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away (1-800-222-1222).

📄 Other Information 22 words ▾

Other information store at room temperature 59º-86º F (15º-30º C). tamper evident sealed packets. do not use any opened or torn packets

📄 Questions or Comments 5 words ▾

Questions or comments? Call 1-800-777-4908

📄 Package Label / Principal Display Panel 30 words ▾

McKesson Phenylephrine Tablets NDC 68599-1631-3 Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg Pseudoephrine-free relief of nasal congestion due to the common cold. 2 Per Pack 250 Packs Per Box MFR # 82479 205R

Source: FDA Structured Product Labeling, mirrored from DailyMed / openFDA. Prefer the government’s original formatting? View this label on DailyMed ↗

Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)

Medicare Part D (outpatient prescription) spending for Phenylephrine HCl (matched by generic name) — the program that covers self-administered drugs. 4 manufacturers.
⚠️ Drug-level data: CMS publishes Part D spending by drug, not by NDC — these figures combine every manufacturer, strength and package size sold under the name Phenylephrine HCl. That’s a different level of aggregation than the Medicaid card above, which is specific to this exact 11-digit NDC (pack size included), so the two aren’t directly comparable.
Period
Total Part D spend
$3.7K
Claims incl. refills
148
Beneficiaries
134
Spend / beneficiary
$27.89
Spend / claim
$25.25
Trend by period
💵 About the dollar figures: spending is what Part D plans paid before confidential manufacturer rebates, so the program’s real net cost is lower. A blank patient count means fewer than 11 people — CMS hides counts that small to protect privacy. Source: CMS Medicare Quarterly Part D Spending by Drug (data.cms.gov), updated quarterly.

About this NDC listing & data coverage

Over-the-counter (OTC) product
What data is (and isn’t) available for this NDC — tap to expand
NDC identity (package / product / labeler codes) ✓ Available
Labeler ✓ Available
Product & package description ✓ Available
Marketing category & status ✓ Available
Active ingredient / dosage form / route ✓ Available
FDA label (SPL via DailyMed) ✓ Available
Package photos ✓ Available
Inactive ingredients (structured) ✓ Available
NADAC pharmacy acquisition price (CMS) — Not published for this NDC CMS publishes NADAC only for NDCs reported in its retail-pharmacy survey.
Orange Book / therapeutic-equivalence data — Not published for this NDC Applies only to products approved under an NDA/ANDA; many listings are out of scope.
HCPCS J-code billing crosswalk — Not published for this NDC Most self-administered / retail products have no J-code — that is normal.
Medicaid utilization (CMS SDUD) — Not published for this NDC CMS reports utilization only for NDCs with Medicaid claims above its privacy threshold.
“Not published” reflects what the public FDA / CMS / NLM sources provide for this exact package code — it is a property of the data feeds, not a judgment about the product.

Questions about this listing

Is this NDC FDA-approved?
An NDC listing does not by itself establish FDA approval — the NDC Directory records that a product is listed with FDA, not that it was reviewed and approved. This listing's marketing category is "Otc Monograph Drug". Products approved under an application carry an NDA, ANDA, or BLA number.
Why is there no price listed?
The pricing shown on our NDC pages comes from CMS NADAC, a voluntary survey of retail community pharmacy invoices. CMS does not publish a NADAC for every NDC — packages outside the retail survey (institutional and hospital products, bulk packages, discontinued items, and many OTC items) may never receive one. A missing price reflects the survey's scope, not this product's actual cost, and does not mean the product is free or unavailable.
Is the NDC printed on the package the same as the 11-digit billing NDC?
Yes, they identify this exact package in different formats. The form printed on the packaging and shown on DailyMed is the one the FDA registered. Insurance claims use a fixed 11-digit 5-4-2 format, so the short segment is padded with a leading zero and the dashes are dropped. The Identity section at the top of this page lists each form of this code.
Is this package still being marketed?
Yes, per the latest FDA NDC Directory data on this page it is currently marketed — but McKesson Medical-Surgical has reported a marketing end date of 2027-08-31, after which this package is expected to stop being marketed. The directory data on this page refreshes weekly.
Who lists this product with the FDA?
McKesson Medical-Surgical is the labeler of record for this NDC — the company under whose FDA-assigned code the package is listed. The labeler may be the manufacturer itself or a distributor marketing the product under its own code.
Do I need a prescription for this product?
This NDC is listed with FDA as an over-the-counter product, so it does not require a prescription. Follow the package directions, and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure whether it is right for you.
This page identifies an FDA-listed package (the NDC) and reports public regulatory and pricing data about the listing. It is reference information, not a medical recommendation — talk to your pharmacist or prescriber about your own medication.
Where does this data come from?
Listing facts (marketing category, packager status, marketing dates) from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory; label availability from DailyMed; pricing coverage from CMS NADAC; equivalence scope from the FDA Orange Book.
← 68599-1471-04 · McKesson 68599-1981-01 · McKesson →
For educational and professional reference only — not medical advice. Pricing reflects published NADAC and CMS ASP (free public data) and may differ from your acquisition cost; always verify before billing or dispensing.