OTRIVIN

Otrivin Information

Otrivin is a medical product containing Xylometazoline. This drug is a nasal decongestant that acts by constricting the blood vessels found in the nasal tissues leading to a decrease of nasal congestion.

Otrivin Indications

Otrivin is prescribed for the relief of nasal congestion in cases of common cold, sinusitis and rhinitis. This medication can also be employed in cases of tubal block, headache and serous otitis media when this symptom is present. Otrivin facilitates rhinoscopy and it may also be employed as a preoperative or postoperative adjunct. In order to find out more regarding the possible uses of this medication, it is advised to consult a pharmacist, a doctor or a nurse.

Otrivin Warnings

This medication should not be prescribed nor administered to patients suffering from an allergy to this drug or to any of its components. Otrivin may not be prescribed for patients suffering from narrow-angle glaucoma. This medication should not be employed in patients that are following a concurrent treatment with MAO inhibitors. Otrivin should not be prescribed to patients that are sensitive to adrenergic substances even in small doses – the symptoms are dizziness, insomnia, lightheadedness, tremors, weakness or cardiac arrhythmia. It is advised that therapy with Otrivin does not extend for time periods of two weeks or more as this may result in rebound congestion. Caution should be employed in the treatment of patients suffering from thyroid or cardiovascular disease and in individuals suffering from hypertension.

This medicine should not be employed for displacement or irrigation following surgical procedures or in situations in which the dura mater may have been permeated (such as transnasal operations or sinus operations).

Otrivin Intake Guidelines

It is advised that the patient should follow the Otrivin intake schedule that the prescribing health care professional has provided him or her with. If the individual has any difficulties in understanding the directions, he or she should ask a pharmacist, a doctor or a nurse for further explanations.

In the case of Otrivin nasal spray, in order to apply the medication the patient needs to hold their head upright, then simultaneously spray the medication in a nostril and inhale. For nasal drops, the recommended positioning is lying on a bed on the back, with the head over the edge so that it is hanging down. The recommended dosage needs to be dripped in the nostrils and the patient should remain in the same position for a few minutes, while gently turning his or her head from side to side.

The tip of the Otrivin container should not be allowed to touch any surface, including the inside of the nose, in order to ensure that it remains germ free.

Otrivin Dosage

The exact Otrivin dosage will be determined by the examining health care professional based on the particularities of each case. Generally, for adult patients and children over the age of 6, the average dose is of 1 to 2 sprays or 1 to 2 drops of the solution into each nostril. For children under the age of 6, the average dose is of 1 spray or drop into each nostril. The treatment may require application of this drug every 8 to 10 hours.

Otrivin Overdose

It is highly advised to closely follow the Otrivin intake guidelines and dosage schedule that your prescribing health care professional has provided you. You should never attempt to take more of the medication or more frequently than you have been advised to. This may result in an overdose with this drug, characterized by symptoms such as extreme tiredness, dizziness, sweating, pulse irregularities, blood pressure disorders and, in extreme cases, clouding of consciousness and coma are possible.

If you have reasons to believe you are suffering from an Otrivin overdose, you should contact your personal health care provider.

Otrivin Missed Dose

You should keep a regular intake schedule in order to reduce the risk of missing any Otrivin doses. However, if you happen to miss a dose of this medication, you should take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for another application of the medicine, you should completely skip the missed dose and continue with your normal medication schedule. You should never take a double dose of this medicine in order to make up for a missed one.

Otrivin Side Effects

While following a treatment with Otrivin, you may experience one or several mild side effects that will go away after a short time, such as nasal irritation, burning, stinging or dryness. However, this medicine may cause a number of more severe side effects which require termination of the treatment and emergency medical attention: allergic reactions (manifested through swelling of the lips, face or tongue, hives, throat congestion or breathing difficulties), irregular heartbeat, seizures, hallucinations or unusual behavior.

Other side effects of Otrivin therapy may appear as well. It is advised that if you experience any uncommon or unpleasant effects, you should immediately contact your personal health care provider.

Otrivin Drug Reactions

Otrivin should not be used by patients that have taken a MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days. Examples of such medication are Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine or Tranylcypromine.

In rare cases, this drug may interact with oral medication such as Furazolidone, Indomethacin, Guanethidine, Methyldopa, Theophylline, and Bromocriptine, or with coffee or caffeinated beverages and foods, including chocolate. This drug may also interact with tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Nortriptyline or Clomipramine) or with phenothiazines (for example Thioridazine, Chlorpromazine or Prochlorperazine).

Otrivin may also interact with other drugs not listed here. As such, it is advised that you consult with the prescribing health care provider and let him or her know of any other medicines you are currently taking before starting a therapy with this drug.