Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedlinePlus
español Home Health Topics Drug Information Medical Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources

Other drug names:  A-Am  An-Az  B  C-Ch  Ci-Cz  D-Dh  Di-Dz  E  F  G  H  I-J  K-L  M-Mh  Mi-Mz  N-Nh  Ni-Nz  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q-R  S-Sn  So-Sz  T-To  Tp-Tz  U-V  W-Z  0-9

Xylometazoline  (Nasal)

Printer-friendly versionE-mail this page to a friend
Contents of this page:

Brand Names

In the U.S.—

  • Otrivin Nasal Drops
  • Otrivin Nasal Spray
  • Otrivin Pediatric Nasal Drops

In Canada—

  • Decongest Nasal Spray
  • Otrivin Nasal Drops
  • Otrivin Nasal Spray
  • Otrivin Nasal Spray with Eucalyptol
  • Otrivin Nasal Spray with Moisturizers
  • Otrivin Pediatric Nasal Drops
  • Otrivin Pediatric Nasal Spray
  • Otrivin With Measured-Dose Pump
  • Otrivin Measured-Dose Pump with Moisturizers

Category


Description

Xylometazoline (zye-loe-met-AZ-oh-leen) is used for the temporary relief of congestion or stuffiness in the nose caused by hay fever or other allergies, colds, or sinus trouble.

This medicine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

This medicine is available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use or dose for your medical condition.

Xylometazoline is available in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For xylometazoline, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to xylometazoline or to any of the other nasal decongestants. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Studies on effects of nasal xylometazoline in pregnancy have not been done in humans.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether xylometazoline passes into breast milk. However, this medicine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Children may be especially sensitive to the effects of xylometazoline. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment, especially sedation.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of xylometazoline in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of xylometazoline. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:


Proper Use of This Medicine

To use the nose drops:

To use the nose spray:

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, unless otherwise directed by 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 nasal xylometazoline 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 nasal xylometazoline. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine and you remember within an hour or so of the missed dose, use it right away. 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:



Side Effects of This Medicine

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

When this medicine is used for short periods of time at low doses, side effects usually are rare. However, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following occur:


Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:


Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.



Revised: 11/06/2003

Micromedex, Inc. Disclaimer

Copyright© 2003 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.