OXYMETAZOLINE (Nasal)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
- Afrin Cherry 12 Hour Nasal Spray
- Afrin Extra Moisturizing 12 Hour Nasal Spray
- Afrin Original 12 Hour Nasal Spray
- Afrin Original 12 Hour Nose Drops
- Afrin Sinus 12 Hour Nasal Spray
- Afrin Original 12 Hour Pump Mist
- Dristan 12-Hr Nasal Spray
- Duramist Plus Up To 12 Hour Nasal Decongestant Spray
- Duration 12 Hour Nasal Spray
- Genasal Nasal Spray Up to 12 Hour Relief
- Nasal Relief 12 Hour Nasal Spray
- Neo-Synephrine 12 Hour Extra Moisturizing Spray
- Neo-Synephrine 12 Hour Spray
- Nostrilla 12 Hour Nasal Decongestant
- Twice-A-Day Extra Moisturizing 12 Hour Nasal Spray
- Twice-A-Day Soothing 12 Hour Nasal Spray
- Vicks Sinex 12-Hour Nasal Spray
- Vicks Sinex 12-Hour Ultra Fine Mist for Sinus Relief
- 4-Way 12-Hour Nasal Spray
In Canada?
- Dristan Long Lasting Nasal Mist
- Dristan Long Lasting Mentholated Nasal Spray
- Drixoral Nasal Solution
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
Category
Description
Oxymetazoline (ox-i-met-AZ-oh-leen) is used for thetemporary relief of nasal (of the nose) congestion or stuffiness caused byhay fever or other allergies, colds, or sinus trouble.
This medicine may also be used for other conditions as determined by yourdoctor.
This medicine is available without a prescription; however, your doctormay have special instructions on the proper use or dose for your medical condition.
Oxymetazoline is available in the following dosage forms:
Nasal- Nasal drops (U.S.)
- Nasal spray (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
If you are using this medicinewithout a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label.For oxymetazoline, the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to oxymetazoline or any other nasal decongestant. Also tellyour health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances,such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Oxymetazoline has not been studied in pregnant women.Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnantor if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?Oxymetazoline may be absorbed into the body. However,oxymetazoline has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children?Children may be especially sensitive to the effectsof oxymetazoline. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been tested in older people.Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way theydo in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems inolder people. There is no specific information about the use of oxymetazolinein the elderly.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are usingoxymetazoline, it is especially important that your health care professionalknow if you are taking any other prescription, including the following, ornonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
- Maprotiline or
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g.,Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline[e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate]) or
- Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [e.g., Elavil], amoxapine[e.g., Asendin], clomipramine [e.g., Anafranil], desipramine [e.g., Norpramin],doxepin [e.g., Sinequan], imipramine [e.g., Tofranil], nortriptyline [e.g.,Aventyl, Pamelor], protriptyline [e.g., Vivactil], trimipramine [e.g., Surmontil])?Takingoxymetazoline while you are taking maprotiline, tricyclic antidepressants,MAO inhibitors or within 2 weeks of taking MAO inhibitors may cause constrictionof blood vessels
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of oxymetazoline. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Enlarged prostate?Difficulty urinating may worsen
- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- High blood pressure?Oxymetazoline may make the condition worse
Proper Use of This Medicine
To use the nose drops:
- Blow your nose gently. Tilt the head back while standing or sittingup, or lie down on a bed and hang the head over the side. Place the dropsinto each nostril and keep the head tilted back for a few minutes to allowthe medicine to spread throughout the nose.
- Rinse the dropper with hot water and dry with a clean tissue. Replacethe cap right after use.
- To avoid spreading the infection, do not use the container for morethan one person.
To use the nose spray:
- Blow your nose gently. With the head upright, spray the medicineinto each nostril. Sniff briskly while squeezing the bottle quickly and firmly.For best results, spray once into each nostril, wait 3 to 5 minutes to allowthe medicine to work, then blow the nose gently and thoroughly. Repeat untilthe complete dose is used.
- Rinse the tip of the spray bottle with hot water, taking care notto suck water into the bottle, and dry with a clean tissue. Replace the capright after use.
- To avoid spreading the infection, do not use the container for morethan one person.
Use this medicine only as directed. Do not usemore of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for longer than 3days without first checking with your doctor. To do so may make your runnyor stuffy nose worse and may also increase the chance of side effects.
Dosing?The dose of oxymetazoline will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of oxymetazoline. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For nasal dosage form (nose drops orspray):
- For nasal congestion or stuffiness:
- Adults and children 6 years of age and older?Use 2 or 3 dropsor sprays of 0.05% solution in each nostril every ten to twelve hours. Donot use more than two times in twenty four hours.
- Children up to 6 years of age?Use and dose must be determinedby your doctor.
Missed dose?If you are using this medicine on a regular scheduleand you miss a dose, use it right away if you remember within an hour or soof the missed dose. However, if you do not remember until later, skip themissed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light, at room temperature.
- Keep the medicine from freezing.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Alongwith its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Althoughnot all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medicalattention.
When this medicine is used for short periodsof time at low doses, side effects usually are rare. However, check with yourdoctor as soon as possible if any of the following occur:
Increase in runny or stuffy nose
Symptoms of too much medicine being absorbedinto the body
Blurred vision; fast, irregular, orpounding heartbeat; headache, dizziness, drowsiness,or lightheadedness; high blood pressure; nervousness; trembling; trouble in sleeping; weakness.
The aboveside effects are more likely to occur in children because there is a greaterchance in children that too much of this medicine may be absorbed into thebody.
Other side effects may occurthat usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go awayduring treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check withyour health care professional if any of the following side effects continueor are bothersome:
Burning, dryness, or stinging inside of nose; increase in nasal discharge; sneezing
Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health careprofessional.
Revised: 6/14/2000
