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 Nasal Spray; Afrin 12 Hour; Afrin Nasal; Dristan 12 Hour; Duramist Plus; Duration 12 Hour; Genasal; Nasal Relief; Neo-Synephrine 12 Hour; Nostrilla; Twice-A-Day Spray; Vicks Sinex 12-Hour (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)

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. You can buy this medicine without a prescription in the form of nasal spray or nose drops.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, talk with your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• heart or blood vessel disease
• high blood pressure
• thyroid disease
• trouble urinating or an enlarged prostate

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use this medicine exactly as directed. If your healthcare provider has not given you specific instructions, follow the directions that come in the medicine package. Do not use more or use it longer than directed. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about anything you do not understand.

Blow your nose before using the medicine. 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.

Rinse the tip with hot water after using, and wipe with a clean tissue. Close 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. Do not use for more than 3 days without your healthcare provider's approval. If you use decongestants more than directed, nasal congestion may get worse.

What if I overdose?

An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I watch out for?

Do not give a child under age 4 any cough and cold medicines unless specifically instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

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

You may feel a mild stinging in your nose at first. This usually goes away 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 healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Lightheadedness, trembling, fast or slow heartbeat, chest pain, hallucinations or unusual behavior, seizure, blurred vision, weakness, trouble urinating.

Other: Sneezing, burning, dryness, or stinging in your nose; headache; sore throat; restlessness; trouble sleeping .

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 healthcare provider if you are taking:

• herbal remedies such as ephedra and yohimbe
• linezolid (Zyvox)
• 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.)
• maprotiline
• reserpine
• selegiline (Eldepryl)
• stimulants such as caffeine, diet pills, and other cough, cold, or allergy medicines
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl), and protriptyline (Vivactil)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare 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 healthcare 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.