Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray

What is this medication?

OXYMETAZOLINE (OX ee me TAZ oh leen) treats a runny or stuffy nose. It may also be used to treat sinus congestion and pressure. It is often used for a short period of time. It works by decreasing swelling in the nose, making it easier to breathe. It belongs to a group of medications called decongestants.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): 12 Hour Nasal, Afrin, Afrin Extra Moisturizing, Afrin Nasal Sinus, Afrin No Drip Severe Congestion, Dristan, Duration, Genasal, Mucinex Children's Stuffy Nose, Mucinex Full Force, Mucinex Moisture Smart, Mucinex Sinus-Max, Mucinex Sinus-Max Sinus & Allergy, NASAL Decongestant, Nasal Relief, Neo-Synephrine 12-Hour, Neo-Synephrine Severe Sinus Congestion, Nostrilla Fast Relief, Reliable-1 12 hour Decongestant, Sinex 12-Hour, Sudafed OM Sinus Cold Moisturizing, Sudafed OM Sinus Congestion Moisturizing, Vicks Qlearquil Decongestant, Vicks Sinex, Vicks Sinex Severe, Vicks Sinus Daytime, Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief, Zicam Intense Sinus

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Diabetes.
• Glaucoma.
• Heart disease.
• High or low blood pressure.
• History of stroke.
• Raynaud's phenomenon.
• Scleroderma.
• Sjogren's syndrome.
• Thromboangiitis obliterans.
• Thyroid disease.
• Trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland.
• An unusual or allergic reaction to oxymetazoline, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
• Breastfeeding.

How should I use this medication?

This medication is for use in the nose. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Shake well before using. Do not use it more often than directed or for more than 3 days in a row without talking to your care team. Make sure that you are using your nasal spray correctly. Ask your care team if you have any questions.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 6 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

Note: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

This medication may interact with the following:

• Certain medications for an enlarged prostate, such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, and terazosin.
• Certain medications for blood pressure and heart disease, such as ace-inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, digoxin, and diuretics.
• MAOIs, such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
• Nafarelin.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

To prevent the spread of infection, do not share this medication with anyone else.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Dryness or irritation inside the nose.
• Sneezing.
• Worsening runny or stuffy nose.

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, ask your pharmacist or care team how to get rid of this medication safely.

Note: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

How does Afrin work?

Afrin® works by reducing swelling in your nasal cavities to help you breathe more easily through your nose. Afrin nasal spray contains oxymetazoline (a nasal decongestant) as the active ingredient.

Oxymetazoline acts on the tiny blood vessels in your nasal cavities. These blood vessels may swell (get wider) when an invader, like a virus, enters your body. This is part of your body’s immune response. Special immune cells communicate with each other to trigger inflammation and clear out the invader.

But this inflammatory process can cause uncomfortable symptoms, like a stuffy nose. Oxymetazoline temporarily narrows the blood vessels in your nose that are wider than normal. When this swelling goes down, there’s more room for air to flow in and out of your nose. Oxymetazoline won’t clear up your infection any sooner, but it may temporarily relieve your symptoms.

Is Afrin bad for you?

Afrin is safe for many people when used as directed. But some people shouldn’t take Afrin (or other medications containing oxymetazoline). Oxymetazoline may not be safe for you if:

• You’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
• You have certain medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease or thyroid disease.
• You’re taking certain medications, like ACE inhibitors or diuretics.

This isn’t an exhaustive list. It’s not always obvious that a certain medicine is unsafe for you. Just because you can buy a product over the counter doesn’t mean it’s safe for you specifically. Everyone is different and has unique health needs.

That’s why you should talk to a healthcare provider before you take any medicine. They’ll make sure it’s OK for you based on your medical history and any other substances you’re using — including medications and dietary supplements. Your provider can also give you tips for using nasal sprays correctly.

Why use Afrin for only three days?

You can use Afrin for up to three days in a row as instructed on the package label. Using Afrin for longer than three days won’t help your nasal congestion. In fact, it may make matters worse. Overusing nasal decongestant sprays can lead to rhinitis medicamentosa (rebound congestion).

If you’re still plugged up after three days, talk to a healthcare provider about other ways to find relief. They may suggest other types of over-the-counter products (like saline nasal sprays) or nasal irrigation.

Is Afrin addictive?

Sort of. It’s possible to become dependent on Afrin (oxymetazoline) to clear up your stuffy nose. This means you use it more often and for longer than directed. You might think it will help you get through a nagging cold, for example. But oxymetazoline isn’t meant for long-term use. You should only use it for three consecutive days.

After that point, this medicine can lead to nasal irritation and inflammation — and worsening congestion. But it all just feels like the same stuffy nose to you, so you might keep using the nasal spray, thinking it’ll help. This only makes the inflammation and related symptoms worse. And the cycle continues.

The key is to use Afrin only as directed and to stop using it after three days. If you feel like you still need it after three days, talk to a healthcare provider. They’ll help you find other treatments to ease nasal congestion. You likely won’t feel an overpowering desire to use oxymetazoline. And you won’t have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using it. This makes dependence on Afrin or other nasal sprays different from substance use disorders.