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Topical Decongestant

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Topical Decongestant, Spray Decongestant, Oxymetazoline, Intranasal Phenylephrine, Afrin, Intranasal Neo-Synephrine

  • See Also
  1. Systemic Decongestant
  2. Nasal Saline
  • Indications
  1. Acute Sinusitis
  • Precautions
  1. Avoid using longer than 3 days
  2. Overuse results in Rhinitis Medicamentosa
  3. Avoid afrin (Oxymetazoline) in children (due to central alpha-2 agonist, Clonidine-like CNS depression)
    1. If a nasal Decongestant is used in children, Neo-Synephrine (Phenylephrine) is preferred
  • Preparations
  1. Oxymetazoline (Afrin)
    1. Two sprays per nostril bid x2-3 days
  2. Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine)
    1. Adults: 2 sprays per nostril qid x2-3 days
    2. Child: Neo-Synephrine 1/8% q4-6 hours