Afrin for swelling of the nasal mucosa and sinusitis. Composition and dosage of the preparation

Afrin is used to treat swelling of the nasal mucosa in the course of a cold, sinusitis or allergic rhinitis. The active substance is oxymetazoline, which constricts the blood vessels of the nasal mucosa. Do not use the preparation in pregnant women and during breastfeeding. The preparation is in the form of a nasal spray and is dispensed without a prescription.

Afrin (Schering-Plough)

ACTION

Sympathomimetic, imidazole derivative.

Afrin – indications and dosage

Afrin nasal spray is recommended for taking:

1. in swelling of the nasal mucosa (during a cold),
2. in the treatment of sinusitis,
3. in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Drug dosage

Afrin is a nasal solution and should be applied topically to the mucosa. Do not exceed the recommended dose of the preparation, as it may pose a threat to your life or health. Treatment with the drug should last a maximum of 3 days.

1. Adults and children after 6 years of age 2-3 doses in each nostril twice a day, not more often than every 2-10 hours.

Afrin and contraindications

There are the following contraindications to the use of Afrin aerosol:

1. allergy to any ingredient of the preparation,
2. parallel use of MAO inhibitors,
3. angle-closure glaucoma,
4. dry or atrophic rhinitis,
5. Transsphenoidal removal of the pituitary gland or surgery to expose the dura mater via the nose or mouth.
6. use of the drug for more than 3 days.

Afrin – restrictions on the preparation

1. Only use the drug in the nose.
2. Do not give the drug to children under 6 years of age.
3. If the symptoms worsen and they do not disappear after 3 days, see a doctor.
4. The spray can can only be used by one person.
5. Be especially careful and consult your doctor in the event of: treatment with maprotiline or tricyclic antidepressants, increased intraocular pressure (especially in angle-closure glaucoma), cardiovascular diseases (e.g. ischemic heart disease, hypertension), diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism thyroid gland, phaeochromocytoma, prostatic hyperplasia.
6. Contained in the preparation: benzalkonium chloride and propylene glycol may irritate the nasal mucosa.
7. The nasal mucosa may become inflamed again and irreversibly damaged if the drug is used too often and for longer than 3 days.
8. Due to the lack of data on the safety of the drug by pregnant and breastfeeding women, it should not be used. The only exception is when the doctor determines that the benefit of the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
9. Afrin does not cause problems when driving motor vehicles if it is administered in therapeutic doses. Patients driving motor vehicles should be careful, as the use of too high doses for a long time may cause side effects in the form of dizziness and headaches and blurred vision.

Afrin with other medications

Afrin should not be used with:

1. MAO inhibitors,
2. with maprotiline or tricyclic antidepressants due to the risk of a significant increase in blood pressure.

Afrin – side effects

The use of Afrin may cause the following side effects:

1. congestion, burning sensation of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat,
2. dry nasal mucosa

rarely systemic effects such as:

1. increased heart rate
2. increase in blood pressure,
3. palpitations,
4. headaches,
5. nausea,
6. insomnia,
7. tremors
8. weakness,
9. tiredness.