oxymetazoline intranasal (OTC)

Frequency Not Defined

Insomnia

Headache

Burning

Stinging

Dryness

Sneezing

Rebound congestion

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity

Cautions

May cause temporary discomfort, including burning, sneezing, singing, or increased nasal discharge

Prolonged or frequent use may cause nasal congestion to recur or worsen

Use caution in patients with hypertension or heart disease

Use caution in patients with diabetes mellitus

Use caution in patients with thyroid disease

Use caution in patients with prostatic hyperplasia and/or genitourinary obstruction

Pregnancy category: C

Lactation: Not known if excreted in breast milk

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

Mechanism of Action

Alpha-adrenergic agonist; stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors and produces vasoconstriction in the arterioles of the nasal mucosa

Absorption

Onset: Within seconds

Duration: 6 hr

Elimination

Excretion: Via kidney