Reasons for not prolonging oxymetazoline to relieve stuffy nose

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Article written by Pharmacist, MSc. Pham Thi Kim Dung, Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital

Nasal congestion is a common phenomenon caused by a number of diseases related to the ears, nose, throat, and flu. Oxymetazoline is used to treat a stuffy nose very effectively, but doctors do not recommend taking it for a long time.

1. What is Oxymetazoline?

Oxymetazoline is a medicine that relieves stuffy nose (due to colds, flu, fever or allergic-related diseases of the upper respiratory tract, allergic rhinitis) and relieves pressure/congestion in the sinuses.
The drug has a chemical structure of imidazoline, an anti-nasal effect similar to the active ingredients naphazoline or xylometazoline.
Mechanism of action of the drug Oxymetazoline: When instilled topically into the nasal cavity, the drug is absorbed through the nasal mucosa into small blood vessels on the mucosa and causes vasodilation, causing a decrease in blood flow to the edematous mucosal areas. congestion. Thereby promoting the flow of stagnant fluids in the nasal sinuses and reducing nasal congestion, clearing the airways.
In addition, Oxymetazoline also has other effects such as:
Eye drops to treat abnormal upper eyelid ptosis (Ptosis of eyelid), 0.1% solution Apply on the face to treat erythema associated with Rosacea, topical cream 1% Dosage and time of using Oxymetazoline to treat stuffy nose:
Use form: 0.05% solution in drop or spray form.
Dosage:
In Adults: Instill 2-3 drops in each nostril twice a day 10-12 hours apart. Maximum 2 doses in 24 hours. In Children: Older children and over 6 years old: Dose as adults Children under 6 years old, especially in infants, use under the advice of a doctor. Time of use: Do not use more than 3-5 days.

2. Reasons not to use Oxymetazoline for a long time to treat stuffy nose:

Oxymetazoline has a vasodilator effect, temporarily relieves stuffy nose, the drug takes effect after a few minutes and lasts 12 hours. Do not take more than 2 doses of the drug in 24 hours and should only be used for a short period of 3 to 5 days.
If long-term use of Oxymetazoline in particular and drugs to treat stuffy nose in general, can lead to one of the following conditions:
In some patients can cause rebound congestion (effects) rebound congestion), signs of this condition are redness, swelling of the nose, increased nasal congestion and runny nose. Two hypotheses explain the recurrence of nasal congestion due to the use of nasal decongestants: The drug causes vasoconstriction, increasing ischemia of the small arteries in the nasal mucosa, leading to increased edema. Long-term use of the drug reduces the number of drug-sensitive receptors on the vascular network of the nasal mucosa, leading to a decrease in the sensitivity of the mucosa to the drug, causing the user to increase the dose of the drug. May cause drug-induced rhinitis (rhinitis medicamentosa). The disease usually appears after a viral rhinitis and the sign of the disease is a prolonged stuffy nose, appearing quickly after decongesting nasal drops, causing the user to increase the dose of anti-stuffy medicine. Endoscopy of the nasal mucosa at this time shows signs of redness and thickening of the mucosa. Taking too much Oxymetazoline, as well as other imidazole decongestant vasodilators, can cause more of the drug to enter the bloodstream and cause potentially serious side effects such as low blood pressure, heart palpitations, vomiting, pain head.
Therefore, you should not take Oxymetazoline without your doctor's instructions. If the patient shows signs of serious side effects, it is necessary to stop taking the drug immediately and notify the treating doctor.
When abnormal symptoms appear, you should immediately go to a reputable medical facility to be examined and consulted by a doctor. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has general health checkup packages suitable for each age, gender and individual needs of customers with a reasonable price policy, including:
Health checkup package Vip overview Standard general health checkup package

The results of the patient's examination will be returned to the patient's home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if you detect diseases that require intensive examination and treatment, you can use services from other specialties right at the Hospital with quality treatment and services. outstanding customer service.

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References:
Micromedex: treatise Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride. Uptodate: monograph Oxymetazoline (nasal) Rebound congestion and rhinitis medicamentosa: Nasal decongestants in clinical practice. Criticalreview of the literature by a medical panel; European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck diseases (2013)130, 137—144.