Drops and spray Afrin: instructions for use

Afrin is an alpha-adrenostimulating agent that is used for topical application.

Has vasoconstrictor property. The medicine is applied nasally. With its help, puffiness in the mucous membranes of the nasal airways decreases, conjunctival swelling decreases when the medicine is instilled. The action of the drug begins 15 minutes after its use and lasts about 8 hours

On this page you will find all information about Afrin: the full instructions for use on this medication, average prices in pharmacies, complete and incomplete analogs of the drug, as well as reviews of people who have already applied the spray Afrin. Want to leave your opinion? Please write in the comments.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Vasoconstrictive drug for topical application in ENT practice.

Conditions of leave from pharmacies

Available without a prescription.

Price list

How much does Afrin cost? The average price in pharmacies is at the level of270 rubles.

Form of issue and composition

The drug "Afrin" is produced in two forms. You can buy a spray for nasal sinuses or drops for application on the eye area. When you receive a doctor's appointment, you should definitely specify which form is recommended for you.

• The contents of the bottle are a white gel-like suspension with a citrus aroma. The active substance is oxymetazoline.
• Auxiliary components: disodium edetate dihydrate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate, sodium hydrogenphosphate, povidone K29-32, chloride solution benzalkonium, macrogol 1450, benzyl alcohol, MCC and carmellose sodium (avicel RC 591), lemon flavor, water for injection.

In the composition of Afrina Extro, there is also propylene glycol, camphor and menthol.

Pharmacological effect

Immediately after the introduction of the composition in the nasal passages, its active action begins. The spray is evenly distributed over the mucous membranes of the sinus walls. Penetrating through tissues, the substance acts on nearby vessels. There is a narrowing of the capillaries and a decrease in edema.

The composition also has an anti-allergic effect. It relieves itching, burning and prevents the urge to sneeze. The work of lacrimal ducts and mucous membranes is suppressed. As a consequence, the amount of secretions decreases and lacrimation passes.

Indications for use

This combination of active substance and additional, auxiliary components allows you to take the medicine in the following cases:

1. Disease in the paranasal sinuses, which arose on the background of previous inflammations of the ENT organs.
2. Disease of the mucous part of the middle part of the ear.
3. Inflammation of the nasal sinuses with purulent discharge.
4. Allergic rhinitis.
5. Mucous discharge caused by infection of the nose.
6. Disruption of the Eustachian tube.

Treatment of any inflammation should be under the constant supervision of a doctor. Any use of medication without prior consultation can lead to undesirable consequences, including hearing or visual impairment.

Contraindications

Spray Afrin has a number of contraindications. These include:

• age up to 6 years;
• atrophic rhinitis;
• simultaneous use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO) and within 14 days after their cancellation;
• individual intolerance of the drug components.

With caution, it is recommended to use Afrin in diseases of the coronary arteries, chronic heart failure, arrhythmia, arterial hypertension, severe atherosclerosis, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, chronic renal failure, prostatic hyperplasia with clinical symptoms, closed-angle glaucoma.

Application in pregnancy and lactation

Safety of the drug in pregnant women and during lactation is not established, so the drug should be prescribed during pregnancy and during the period of breast feeding only if the expected benefit of using the drug for the mother exceeds the potential risk to the fetus or infant

Instructions for use

The instructions for use indicate that Afrin is administered intranasally. Before the first application of the nasal spray, it is necessary to "calibrate" it by pressing the spray head several times. Before each use, vigorously shake the bottle.

• Adults and children over 6 years of age - 2-3 injections in each nasal passage with an interval of 10-12 hours. In adults, the frequency of application can be increased up to 3 times / day.

Do not exceed the specified dose.

Side effects

Use of the medication is occasionally accompanied by:

• increased pressure;
• increased anxiety, insomnia;
• drynessor a burning sensation in the nasal cavity or nasopharynx;
• bouts of sneezing;
• allergic reactions in the form of redness on the skin or enhance symptoms of rhinitis;
• dizziness and headache.

If any abnormalities occur, you should consult a doctor and stop using the product.

Overdose

According to the instructions for use, Afrin and its analogues very rarely cause an overdose. This occurs only in those cases when the therapeutic dose is significantly exceeded, or when the drug is ingested by mistake.

Symptoms of overdose:

1. Impaired respiratory function.
2. Narrowing of the pupils.
3. Increased excitability.
4. Dizziness, down to total loss of consciousness.
5. Vomiting and nausea.
6. Increased body temperature.
7. Increase in blood pressure figures.
8. Various violations of the heart rhythm.
9. In the most severe cases, it is possible to stop cardiac activity, coma.

Treatment: symptomatic; with accidental ingestion - gastric lavage, activated charcoal. Vasopressor drugs are contraindicated.

special instructions

1. If the recommended dosage regimen is followed, Afrin does not adversely affect the ability to drive vehicles and other mechanisms. However, if the use of the drug is accompanied by the development of dizziness or other undesirable effects of systemic character, it is recommended to refrain from activities requiring high reaction rates and concentration of attention.
2. Symptoms of nasal congestion can resume after a course of therapy for more than 7 days. Therefore, if you need to use the spray for more than 5 days, consult a specialist.
3. Be careful not to get the product on the mucous membrane of the eyes.

Drug Interactions

The use of the drug Afrin Spray nasal and its analogues slows down the absorption of various local anesthetic drugs, and also lengthens the period of their action.

The administration of the drug Afrin concomitantly with drugs that inhibit MAO, and also for 14 days from the moment of their cancellation, with tetracyclic antidepressants and maprotiline promotes a significant increase in blood pressure in the patient.

The use of oxymetazoline hydrochloride with similar vasoconstrictive drugs significantly increases the risk of side effects.

Reviews

We picked up some feedback from people about the drug Afrin:

1. Elena. I am a mother of two children, viral infections in our home are not uncommon. When the children once again snapped up, it took the form of the Pure Sea spray. I was attracted to the composition and an adequate price. As it turned out, the tool is very effective. It does not irritate the wings of the nose and acts very quickly. I sometimes use it myself in winter to moisten the mucous, when the apartment is very dry air.
2. Snezana. Coryza - this is almost my normal state, but all sprays and drops helped me for a couple of hours. The Afrin effect lasts all night, you do not have to wake up from the fact that your nose has again laid, it is impossible to breathe. The drug is safe, suitable even for children from 6 years. I did not observe any side effects.
3. Tatyana. Since childhood I suffer from allergic rhinitis. I tried many drops, they help for a while and dry my nose. Spray Extra removes the stuffiness in just a minute and is effective for the next 8 hours. And it smells good and refreshes well.

Analogues

Today, many pharmaceutical companies produce vasoconstrictive drops based on oxymetazoline. Therefore, in any pharmacy you can choose a cheaper analogue of Afrina, for example:

• Nesopin;
• Nazivin;
• Siallor Reno;
• Knoxprey;
• Oxifrin and others.

Before using analogues, consult your doctor.

Storage conditions and shelf life

After opening the bottle, the medicine should be used within 6 months, after which the spray should be discarded. Keep the vial open in a refrigerator or other dark, cool place out of the reach of children.

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