How does xylometazoline work

Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects. Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention. Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:. Some people may experience side effects other than those listed.

Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication. Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication. Prolonged or excessive use: If symptoms continue for more than 3 to 5 days, stop using this medication and contact your doctor.

Excessive or prolonged use of this medication may make congestion worse. Medical conditions: If you have difficulty urinating because of an enlarged prostate, heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, overactive thyroid, advanced hardening of the arteries, or diabetes, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Multiple users: Use of this nasal spray by more than one person may cause spread of infection. Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks.

If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. Breast-feeding: It is not known if xylometazoline passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding. Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children less than 12 years of age.

Seniors: Seniors should use this medication with caution, as you may be more likely to experience side effects. If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them.

Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed. Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter non-prescription , and herbal medications you are taking.

Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. All material copyright MediResource Inc. This is because the inside lining of your nose is sensitive to changes in the atmosphere such as temperature and humidity changes and this also can lead to symptoms of nasal congestion.

You may find a hot steamy shower or a steam inhalation will help to clear a blocked nose but, where this does not provide sufficient relief, a decongestant such as xylometazoline may be useful. Xylometazoline causes the small blood vessels in your nose to become narrower.

This reduces the thickness of the lining of your nose which is causing the congestion, and relieves the blocked-up feeling. You can buy preparations containing xylometazoline from retail outlets, without a prescription.

They should be used for short periods of time only. There is a nasal spray which is available for adults and for children over 12 years of age.

There are two strengths of xylometazoline nose drops available. The adult strength is 0. The 0. Children aged years should not use xylometazoline for longer than five days at a time, but adults and children over 12 years of age can use it for up to seven days if needed.

Xylometazoline must not be given to children under 6 years of age. To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using xylometazoline it is important that you speak with a doctor or pharmacist:. Recommended dose for adults and for children over 12 years of age using 0. Do not use the drops for periods of more than seven days.

The drops are not suitable for children under 12 years of age. Recommended dose for children over 6 years of age using 0. Do not use the drops for periods of more than five days. The drops are not suitable for children under 6 years of age. Recommended dose for adults and for children over 12 years of age using nasal spray : use one spray into each nostril one to three times a day if needed. Do not use the spray for periods of more than seven days. If you are using a product that comes in a pump dispenser, press down on the rim several times before using your first dose to prime the pump, according to the directions on the label.

When you are ready to use the spray, hold your head upright without tilting and place the tip of the bottle in your nostril. For the nasal spray, squeeze the bottle quickly and firmly. For products that come in a pump dispenser, press down on the rim with a firm, even stroke and breathe in deeply.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. This medication is usually used as needed. If your doctor has told you to use oxymetazoline regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.

Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one. Oxymetazoline nasal spray may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat, light, and moisture not in the bathroom.

Do not freeze the medication. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.

To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. If you use too much oxymetazoline nasal spray or if someone swallows the medication, call your local poison control center at