Oxymetazoline, Nasal

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: nasal decongestant

Generic and brand names: oxymetazoline, nasal; 12 Hour Nasal Spray; 4-Way Long Acting Nasal; Afrin Children's Nose Drops; Afrin Nasal; Allerest 12 Hour Nasal; Chlorphed-LA; Dristan Long Lasting; Duramist Plus; Duration; Genasal; NTZ Long Acting Nasal; Nasal Relief; Neo-Synephrine 12 Hour; Nostrilla; Sinarest 12 Hour; Sinex Long Lasting; Twice-A-Day Spray

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used in the nose for temporary relief of nasal congestion due to colds, hay fever or other allergies, or sinus problems. Do not use in children less than 6 years of age.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to oral or nasal decongestants
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• heart or blood vessel disease
• high blood pressure
• thyroid disease
• trouble urinating.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I use it?

You may want to ask your health care provider or pharmacist which nose drops or sprays would be best for you.

Before using the medicine, clear your nasal passages by gently blowing your nose. To use the nose drops, tilt your head back and put the drops in both nostrils. Try not to touch your nose with the dropper. Keep your head tilted back for a few minutes and turn your head side to side to allow the drops to work.

To use the nasal spray, keep your head upright and sniff in the spray while you squeeze the bottle. Do this in both nostrils. Sniff hard for a few minutes after use. Wait a few minutes and then blow your nose gently. Spray both nostrils again if directed.

Wipe the tip of the applicator with a clean tissue and replace the cap tightly after each use.

To avoid spreading infection, do not let others use your medicine.

Use this medicine exactly as directed. Do not use the spray more than 2 times in one day. If you use decongestants more often than directed, nasal congestion may get worse. Do not use oral and nasal decongestants together.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

Use this medicine only when needed. If your symptoms do not improve in 3 days or if they get worse, tell your health care provider.

You may feel a mild stinging in your nose at first. This usually disappears after you use the medicine a few times.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious: Using too much of this medicine may cause headache, nervousness, lightheadedness, trembling, fast or slow heartbeat, chest pain, trouble sleeping, hallucinations or sudden changes in behavior, seizure, rash, unusual bruising, mouth sores, trouble urinating. If any of these occur, stop using the medicine and contact your health care provider.

Other: Sneezing, irritation in your nose.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• guanethidine (Ismelin)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• methyldopa (Aldomet)
• reserpine (Serpasil)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl), and protriptyline (Vivactil).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.