Written by Stephanie Nera, RPh, PharmD · Pharmacology
Administer nasal solution intranasally as sprays or nasal pumps.
Firstly, prime the nasal inhaler by depressing the pump firmly several times.
Secondly, administer nasal spray or pump into each nostril while the head is erect.
Administer ophthalmic solution topically to the conjunctiva.
Avoid contamination of the dropper tip.
In addition, remove contact lenses before administering an ophthalmic solution.
Do not administer discolored or cloudy solutions.
Store at room temperature, away from moisture and direct sunlight. To prevent drug damage, you should not store it in the bathroom or the freezer. There may be different brands of this drug that may have different storage needs. Therefore, it is important to always check the product package for instructions on storage, or ask your pharmacist. For safety, you should keep all medicines away from children and pets.
You should not flush it down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Additionally, do not use it if expired. Consult your pharmacist for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Before using this drug, tell your doctor if you:
Do not use oxymetazoline HCl solution for more than 3 days unless advised to do so by your health care provider. Consequently, frequent or long-term use of oxymetazoline hydrochloride solution may cause nasal congestion to recur or worsen.
To prevent spreading of germs, do not share this medication.
For diabetic patients: oxymetazoline HCl solution may affect your blood sugar level. Therefore, your doctor may need to change the amount of diabetes medicine you are taking.
Oxymetazoline HCl solution is not recommended for use in children younger than 6 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
There are no adequate studies in women for determining risk when using oxymetazoline HCl during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Therefore, always consult with your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this drug. In addition, oxymetazoline hydrochloride is pregnancy risk category C, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
FDA pregnancy risk category reference below:
When using this drug, some side effects may occur, such as transient burning, stinging, sneezing, increased nasal discharge or dryness of nasal mucosa.
Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. However, if you have any concerns about a side effect, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Oxymetazoline hydrochloride may interact with other drugs that you are currently taking, which can change how your drug works or increase your risk for serious side effects. To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. For your safety, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drugs without your doctor’s approval.
Products may interact with this drug, including:
Oxymetazoline hydrochloride may interact with food or alcohol by altering the way the drug works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this drug.
Oxymetazoline hydrochloride may interact with your health condition. This interaction may worsen your health condition or alter the way the drug works. It is important to always let your doctor and pharmacist know all the health conditions you currently have.
Especially if any of the following apply to you:
The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. You should ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using this drug.
The recommended dose is 2 or 3 sprays of a 0.05% nasal solution in each nostril every 10–12 hours (usually in the morning and evening), up to 2 times daily.
The recommended dose is 1 or 2 drops of a 0.025% ophthalmic solution in the affected eye(s) every 6 hours as needed.
In children ≥6 years of age: 2 or 3 sprays of a 0.05% nasal solution in each nostril every 10–12 hours (usually in the morning and evening), up to 2 times daily.
In children ≥6 years of age: 1 or 2 drops of a 0.025% ophthalmic solution in the affected eye(s) every 6 hours as needed.
This drug is available in the following dosage forms and strengths:
In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.
If you miss a dose of oxymetazoline HCl, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose.
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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