Nasal congestion or copious discharge from it, redness of the eyes with conjunctivitis or other diseases, we are used to treat with an old, good, tried and tested remedy - naphthyzine drops. He entered our daily routine so much and registered in first-aid kits that he began to be perceived almost as a panacea for many sores. However, this seemingly harmless remedy requires caution in use, like any medicine.
Mechanism of action
The main active ingredient in Naphthyzine, which has a therapeutic effect, is naphazoline. Its concentration ranges from 0.05% to 0.1% in different drops. Nafazolin relieves swelling of the mucous membrane, constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to them. With a runny nose, relief occurs precisely at these moments, because the
sinuses and passages return to their original size, much less mucus is produced, and naturally it becomes easier to breathe.
If Naphthyzin is instilled into the eyes, the effect is approximately the same, only instead of nasal mucus, moisture from the lacrimal glands is reduced, as well as purulent secretions, which are characteristic of bacterial and chronic conjunctivitis. The relief lasts about 2-3 hours, then the painful symptoms return.
Application
Ophthalmologists recommend exactly 0.05% naphthyzine, made on the basis of a solution of distilled water and boric acid, as eye drops. To reduce conjunctival edema, discomfort in the eyeballs, burning or itching, naphthyzinum is prescribed to drip into the eyes
1-2 drops several times a day. To do this, wash your hands and eyes thoroughly, gently pull the lower eyelid and drip the medicine. In this case, you can feel some unpleasant painful sensations. The pupil dilation effect makes them easier.
If naphthyzin is in bury eyes long enough, the drug ceases to act with the proper effect, because the body gets used to it. This is expressed in the fact that the process of vasoconstriction slows down and does not proceed as brightly as at the beginning of treatment. An addiction can lead to such quite serious symptoms as headache and insomnia, arrhythmia, blueness of the skin, etc. In such cases, naphthyzin eyes stop burying and for some time refuse to use it.
Harm treatment
So, Naftizin is far from being as harmless as it seems. There are a number of contraindications to its use. The most significant of these are
eye diseases and abnormalities: different stages of glaucoma, a decrease in the activity of the lacrimal gland, corneal dystrophy, etc. In especially sensitive people with reduced immunity, Naphthyzine can cause dependence, as if it were a narcotic drug. Fortunately, their percentage is quite small.
If the patient has obvious problems with the thyroid gland, drops are recommended to be taken carefully. The same applies to patients with symptoms of diabetes. Use it prudently and expectant mothers, as well as nursing. Naphthyzine poisoning is extremely rare, but possible.
Avoid using the drug during working hours for drivers, doctors, and generally those whose profession requires increased attention and visual acuity: it decreases slightly immediately after instillation. Coordination of movements and spatial orientation may be impaired. However, such sensations quickly pass.