Healthopedia.com - Your Health
Encyclopedia

Set Homepage Email Page Favorites      

 
  Home
  Health Centers
  Medical Encyclopedia
  Drugs & Medications
  Diseases & Conditions 
  Medical Symptoms
  Medical Tests & Exams
  Surgery & Procedures 
  Injuries & Wounds
  Diet & Nutrition
  Special Topics
  Pictures & Images      


Google
 
Web Healthopedia.com

You are here : Healthopedia.com > Drugs & Medications > Detailed Drug Information (USP DI) > Oxymetazoline : Proper Use

Oxymetazoline (Nasal)

Brand Names : 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, Dristan Long Lasting Nasal Mist, Dristan Long Lasting Mentholated Nasal Spray, Drixoral Nasal Solution

Oxymetazoline | Before Using | Proper Use | Side Effects


Proper Use of This Medicine

To use the nose drops :

  • Blow your nose gently. Tilt the head back while standing or sitting up, or lie down on a bed and hang the head over the side. Place the drops into each nostril and keep the head tilted back for a few minutes to allow the medicine to spread throughout the nose.
  • Rinse the dropper with hot water and dry with a clean tissue. Replace the cap right after use.
  • To avoid spreading the infection, do not use the container for more than one person.

To use the nose spray :

  • Blow your nose gently. With the head upright, spray the medicine into 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 allow the medicine to work, then blow the nose gently and thoroughly. Repeat until the complete dose is used.
  • Rinse the tip of the spray bottle with hot water, taking care not to suck water into the bottle, and dry with a clean tissue. Replace the cap right after use.
  • To avoid spreading the infection, do not use the container for more than one person.

Use this medicine only as directed . Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for longer than 3 days without first checking with your doctor. To do so may make your runny or stuffy nose worse and may also increase the chance of side effects.

Dosing—The dose of oxymetazoline will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the 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 or spray):
    • For nasal congestion or stuffiness:
      • Adults and children 6 years of age and older—Use 2 or 3 drops or sprays of 0.05% solution in each nostril every ten to twelve hours. Do not use more than two times in twenty four hours.
      • Children up to 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—If you are using this medicine on a regular schedule and you miss a dose, use it right away if you remember within an hour or so of the missed dose. However, if you do not remember until later, skip the missed 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 sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Previous section

 

Next section

Oxymetazoline: Before Using

 

Oxymetazoline: Side Effects

Date Revised: 6/14/2000









Content provided by Thomson MICROMEDEX
Micromedex, Inc. Disclaimer
Copyright © 2009 Thomson MICROMEDEX. All rights reserved. USP DI® and Advice for the Patient® are registered trademarks of USP used under license to Micromedex, a business of Thomson Healthcare Inc. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

Copyright © 2009 Healthopedia.com All Rights reserved.
About Us | Help/FAQ | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us

HONcode accreditation seal.

We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information: verify here.


The information provided herein is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. The information should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call your local emergency number for all medical emergencies. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
Page Last Updated: 6th April, 2009