Formulary
Xylometazoline hydrochloride: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Xylometazoline is a sympathomimetic.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Xylometazoline hydrochloride: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Xylometazoline is a sympathomimetic.
Drug action
Xylometazoline is a sympathomimetic.
Indications and dose
**Nasal congestion for xylometazoline hydrochloride**
- **Child 6-11 years** (By intranasal administration using nasal drops): 1-2 drops 1-2 times a day as required for maximum duration of 5 days, 0.05% solution to be administered into each nostril.
- **Child 12-17 years** (By intranasal administration using nasal drops): 2-3 drops 2-3 times a day as required for maximum duration of 7 days, 0.1% solution to be administered into each nostril.
- **Child 12-17 years** (By intranasal administration using nasal spray): 1 spray 1-3 times a day as required for maximum duration of 7 days, to be administered into each nostril.
Cautions
Angle-closure glaucoma; avoid excessive or prolonged use; cardiovascular disease (in children); diabetes mellitus; elderly (in adults); hypertension; hyperthyroidism; ischaemic heart disease (in adults); prostatic hypertrophy (risk of acute retention) (in adults); rebound congestion Cautions, further information Rebound congestion Sympathomimetic drugs are of limited value in the treatment of nasal congestion because they can, following prolonged use (more than 7 days), give rise to a rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa) on withdrawal, due to a secondary vasodilatation with a subsequent temporary increase in nasal congestion. This in turn tempts the further use of the decongestant, leading to a vicious cycle of events.
Side effects
Frequency not known Cardiovascular effects; headache; hypersensitivity; nasal dryness; nausea; paraesthesia; visual impairment Side-effects, further information Use of decongestants in infants and children under 6 years has been associated with agitated psychosis, ataxia, hallucinations, and even death-avoid.
Interactions
**Other interactions (1):**
- The concomitant use of xylometazoline with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or tri- and tetra-cyclic antidepressants, may cause an increase in blood pressure due to the cardiovascular effects of...
Pregnancy
Manufacturer advises avoid.
Breast feeding
Manufacturer advises caution-no information available.
Medicinal forms
Drops,Spray
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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