Otrivine Nasal Spray

Like all medicines, Otrivine will have some side effects although not everyone will get them. Local discomfort may be felt after applying the spray if you have a sensitive nasal passage.

Occasionally, the following side effects have been reported:

• Temporary and passing visual disturbance
• Nausea and headache
• Local irritation and burning sensation in nose and throat
• Dryness of the nasal membranes
• Allergic reactions

Cardiovascular effects such as palpitations might also occur, especially if you have heart problems. If you do have any of these side effects and they end up becoming more serious, stop using Otrivine nasal spray and contact your doctor or pharmacist to make them aware.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding you must not use this nasal decongestant and you must consult your doctor for advice on what to do to deal with any type of congestion. Since Otrivine causes constriction of blood vessels, this could have a negative impact on your baby during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It can also increase blood pressure, which can potentially cause complications during pregnancy.

As touched on previously, those suffering from circulatory conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, glaucoma or congenital heart problems should not use Otrivine or any sympathomimetic to treat congestion.

Congestion can be defined as the blockage of the nasal passages, most often due to inflammation of blood vessels in the mucous membranes. The inflammation of the blood vessels can be attributed to many different factors, however the reason people tend to get a ‘blocked nose’ is because of this inflammation. The swelling of the mucous membranes causes blockage because the vessels swell to the point where the passage becomes occluded.

Most people prefer to breathe through their nose so the symptom associated with congestion (blocked nose) can be very annoying when trying to go about your day to day activities or trying to get to sleep. Nasal congestion can interfere with hearing and speech. In more significant cases, nasal congestion will interfere with sleep, causing you to snore and in rare instances develop acute sleep apnea. Congestion can also cause some mild facial and head pain.

Some common causes associated with nasal congestion include

• The common cold or influenza
• Rebound nasal congestion, brought on by extended use of topical nasal decongestants (like Otrivine).
• Deviated septum
• Allergies such as hay fever (allergic reaction to certain types of pollen)
• Side effects of medication
• Nasal polyps

If your congestion persists for longer than one week after using any topical decongestant, please speak to your doctor for further investigation.

Otrivine nasal spray helps relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion. It contains the active ingredient xylometazoline hydrochloride. Xylometazoline is known as a ‘sympathomimetic’, meaning it behaves similar to the hormone adrenaline. When applied topically (locally sprayed into nostril) it causes the swollen mucus membranes as a result of blood vessel inflammation to shrink, allowing the passage to be cleared and making breathing easier. Otrivine also in turn helps reduce nasal secretions, meaning you won’t suffer from both a runny and blocked nose. Otrivine is suitable for those over the age of 12 years.

Adrenaline can increase your blood pressure and heart rate. Since xylometazoline (Otrivine) behaves like adrenaline it should not be used if you suffer from any heart or circulatory conditions such as hypertension or diabetes. If you are suffering from congestion, it is best to consult your pharmacist or doctor for a suitable alternative. Nasal sprays like sterimar, which are composed of essentially salt water or steroid nasal sprays such as beconase have been shown to be a suitable alternative for those who do suffer from circulatory conditions.