oxymetazoline (Afrin)

Introduction

Tradename: Afrin.

Indications

• acute relief of nasal congestion & nasopharyngeal mucosal congestion

Dosage

2 drops/sprays per nostril BID 0.025% & 0.05%.

Adverse effects

• common (> 10%)
  • nasal burning
  • rebound congestion (after 3-10 days): rhinitis medicamentosa
  • sneezing
• less common (1-10%)
  • stinging, dryness
• see phenylephrine

• drug adverse effects of adrenergic receptor agonists
• drug adverse effects of alpha-adrenergic receptor agonists
• drug adverse effects of sympathomimetic(s)

Mechanism of action

alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist

More general terms

• alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist
• decongestant

Additional terms

• phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, Mydrifin, sudafed PE, PE)

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=4636
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=66259