From the Guidelines
Oxymetazoline is a topical decongestant.
Uses and Effects
- It is used to relieve nasal congestion, particularly in cases of severe nasal obstruction, and can be added to intranasal corticosteroids (INS) for a few days to provide relief 1.
- The combination of oxymetazoline and INS has been shown to be more effective than INS alone in improving symptoms of nasal blockage, smell, and nasal patency, without inducing rebound swelling 2.
- Studies have demonstrated that the use of oxymetazoline with nasal corticosteroids can prevent rebound congestion, which is a common concern with the use of nasal decongestants 3, 2.
Important Considerations
- Despite its potential benefits, the use of nasal decongestants like oxymetazoline is generally not recommended for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) due to the risk of rebound swelling, although temporary use may be considered in cases of severe nasal blockage 4.
- The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 suggests that the addition of a nasal decongestant to intranasal corticosteroids can improve symptomatology in CRS, but the level of certainty is low, and the risk of rebound swelling should be carefully considered 4.
From the FDA Drug Label
Uses • temporarily relieves nasal congestion due to: • common cold • hay fever • upper respiratory allergies • temporarily relieves sinus congestion and pressure • shrinks swollen nasal membranes so you can breathe more freely Active ingredient Oxymetazoline hydrochloride 0.05% Principal Display Panel Compare to active ingredient in Afrin® No Drip Maximum Strength No Drip Nasal Spray Oxymetazoline HCl 0.05% Nasal Decongestant Pump Mist
Oxymetazoline is a nasal decongestant that temporarily relieves nasal congestion due to common cold, hay fever, and upper respiratory allergies, and shrinks swollen nasal membranes to help breathe more freely 5, 6, 7.
From the Research
Definition and Uses of Oxymetazoline
- Oxymetazoline is a topical nasal decongestant used to relieve nasal congestion [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].
- It is commonly used in the pediatric population for various conditions, including active bleeding, acute respiratory distress, and improved surgical visualization [ 8 ].
- Oxymetazoline is also used to relieve nasal symptoms in patients with acute coryzal rhinitis [ 10 ].
Mechanism of Action and Effects
- Oxymetazoline works by vasoconstriction, which helps to reduce nasal congestion [ 8 , 9 ].
- It has been shown to provide relief of nasal symptoms for up to 12 hours [ 10 ].
- Oxymetazoline can also affect nasal aerodynamics and symptomatology in patients with turbinate hypertrophy [ 11 ].
Safety and Potential Risks
- Oxymetazoline can have cardiovascular adverse effects when systemically absorbed [ 8 ].
- There have been reports of cardiac and respiratory complications related to the use of oxymetazoline in the pediatric population [ 8 ].
- Oxymetazoline use disorder has also been reported, with a case study showing a patient who developed a severe use disorder lasting 20 years [ 12 ].