Afrin
Afrin: instructions for use and reviews
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Pharmacological properties
- 3. Indications for use
- 4. Contraindications
- 5. Method of application and dosage
- 6. Side effects
- 7. Overdose
- 8. Special instructions
- 9. Drug interactions
- 10. Analogs
- 11. Terms and conditions of storage
- 12. Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
- 13. Reviews
- 14. Price in pharmacies
Latin name: Afrin
ATX code: R01AA05
Active ingredient: oxymetazoline (oxymetazoline)
Vendor: MSD Consumer Care, Inc. (USA)
Description and photo update: 2019-19-08
Prices in pharmacies: from 108 rubles.
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Afrin is a topical preparation with anti-congestive, alpha-adrenomimetic action.
Release form and composition
Dosage form Afrin - nasal spray 0.05%: a gel-like suspension of almost white or white color with a citrus odor characteristic of citrus (15 ml in a plastic opaque bottle with a fine spray dispenser and a protective cap to control the first opening, 1 bottle in a cardboard box).
1 ml of suspension contains:
- active substance: oxymetazoline hydrochloride - 0.5 mg;
- auxiliary components: macrogol 1450, benzyl alcohol, povidone K29-32, disodium edetate dihydrate, benzalkonium chloride solution 17%, sodium hydrogen phosphate, Avicel RC 591 (microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carmellose), sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate, lemon flavor, purified water.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
Oxymetazoline is an alpha-adrenergic stimulating drug for topical use with a vasoconstrictor effect. Oxymetazoline leads to a narrowing of the vessels of the Eustachian tube, paranasal sinuses and mucous membranes of the nose, which causes a decrease in their swelling and facilitates nasal breathing in case of rhinitis (runny nose) of an infectious-inflammatory or allergic nature.
Since Afrin contains excipients [povidone (K-29/32), sodium carmellose and microcrystalline cellulose], the spray does not flow out of the nose and does not enter the throat, since after the introduction into the nasal passages the viscosity of the drug increases, which allows it to be retained on the mucous membranes of the nose more effective than in the case of a standard aqueous solution.
The results of clinical studies indicate that the effect of Afrin begins 1 minute after administration and lasts for 12 hours.
Pharmacokinetics
Oxymetazoline in the form of a nasal spray practically does not penetrate into the systemic circulation.
Indications for use
- sinusitis;
- symptomatic therapy of rhinitis (runny nose) of infectious-inflammatory and / or allergic etiology;
- hay fever;
- eustachitis.
Contraindications
- atrophic rhinitis;
- simultaneous use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO) and within 14 days after their cancellation;
- age up to 6 years;
- individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
According to the instructions, Afrin is recommended to be used with caution in diseases of the coronary arteries, chronic heart failure, arrhythmias, arterial hypertension, severe atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, chronic renal failure, prostatic hyperplasia with clinical symptoms, angle-closure glaucoma.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding Afrin should be used only after a thorough assessment by the doctor of the risks and benefits of use, provided that the potential threat to the fetus or infant is lower than the expected benefit from therapy for the mother.
Instructions for the use of Afrin: method and dosage
Spray Afrin is used intranasally by injection into the nasal passage.
The contents of the vial must be shaken vigorously before each use.
After opening the package, the first application is recommended after calibration of the spray, to do this, press the spray head several times.
Recommended dosage: 2-3 sprays into each nasal passage 2 times a day, after 10-12 hours. Adults can be used 3 times a day.
Do not exceed the dose of Afrin and the frequency of use.
Side effects
- local reactions: burning and dryness of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity of a transient nature, sneezing, dry mouth and throat; against the background of long-term therapy - tachyphylaxis, reactive hyperemia, irritation, atrophy of the nasal mucosa;
- others: nausea, increased blood pressure (BP), palpitations, headache, dizziness, increased anxiety, sleep disturbances, insomnia.
Overdose
With a significant overdose of Afrin spray or accidental oral administration, the following negative manifestations are possible: increased blood pressure, arrhythmia, tachycardia, mental disorders, cyanosis, shortness of breath, fever, nausea, vomiting, CNS depression (decreased blood pressure, drowsiness, bradycardia, decreased body temperature, respiratory arrest and coma).
When such symptoms appear, symptomatic therapy is prescribed. In case of accidental intake of Afrin inside, gastric lavage and intake of activated charcoal are recommended.
special instructions
Long-term (more than 7 days) use of Afrin can resume the symptoms of nasal congestion, therefore, in the absence of the desired therapeutic effect after 5 days of therapy, it is necessary to consult a doctor about the advisability of further use of the spray.
Do not allow Afrin to come into contact with the mucous membrane of the eyes.
The use of the spray in the recommended dosage regimen does not affect the patient's ability to drive vehicles and mechanisms. But given the possibility of dizziness and other undesirable effects of a systemic nature, one should be careful and refrain from work for a period of malaise, the performance of which requires concentration of attention and high speed of psychomotor reactions.
Drug interactions
Simultaneous use with MAO inhibitors (and within 14 days after their withdrawal), tricyclic antidepressants causes an increase in blood pressure.
Afrin reduces the rate of absorption of local anesthetics, prolonging the period of their action.
Concomitant therapy with other vasoconstrictor drugs increases the likelihood of unwanted effects.
Analogs
The analogues of Afrin are: Xymelin, Xymelin Eco, Farmazolin, Grippostad Rino, Sanorin, Galazolin, Nazivin, Lazorin, Tizin Xylo, Dlinos, Rinosprey, Xilen, Naftizin, Otrivin, etc.
Terms and conditions of storage
Store at temperatures up to 25 ° C. Keep out of the reach of children.
Shelf life is 2 years.
Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
Available without a prescription.
Reviews about Afrin
At the moment, there are both positive and negative reviews about Afrin, the percentage of which is 70% to 30%. The drug helped many patients, so they note its high efficiency and speed of action. However, they often report a shorter duration of therapeutic action than indicated in the instructions.
Other patients complain about the lack of relief from the painful condition or the occurrence of side effects during treatment (palpitations, headaches, burning or dryness of the nasal mucosa, etc.). It is assumed that such conditions are explained by personal sensitivity to the drug and / or contraindications not identified in time to its use.
Price for Afrin in pharmacies
The approximate price for Afrin is 185-234 rubles (for a 15 ml bottle).
Afrin: prices in online pharmacies
Drug name Price Pharmacy |
Afrin Pure Sea nasal cleaner nasal spray 75 ml 1 pc. 108 RUB Buy |
Afrin 0.05% nasal spray 15 ml 1 pc. 187 r Buy |
Afrin nasal spray. 0.05% 15ml 192 RUB Buy |
Afrin Extra nasal spray. 0.05% 15ml 204 RUB Buy |
Afrin extro 0.05% nasal spray 15 ml 1 pc. 204 RUB Buy |
Reviews Afrin Extro 204 RUB Buy |
Afrin Moisturizing nasal spray. 0.05% 15ml 219 r Buy |
Afrin moisturizing 0.05% nasal spray 15 ml 1 pc. 219 r Buy |
Reviews Afrin moisturizing 219 r Buy |
Afrin Pure Sea remedy for nasal congestion nasal spray 75 ml 1 pc. RUB 700 Buy |
See all offers from pharmacies |
Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!