Runny nose and nasal congestion accompany almost every common cold. These symptoms develop in people of all age categories. This reaction appears due to the penetration of the pathogen into the body. The mucous membrane tries to clear itself naturally by secreting mucus. Manufacturers of modern medicines come to the aid of the sick. One of the commonly used active ingredients is called oxymetazoline. Today you will learn about drugs based on it, as well as about the features of their use.
What is oxymetazoline?
"Oxymetazoline" - drops in the nose. Analogs of this medication will be given for your reference later. Previously, you should characterize this tool. The drug "Oxymetazoline" contains the same active substance: oxymetazoline hydrochloride. Medications are distinguished by different concentrations. So, for example, you can purchase a drug with a concentration of 0.01%, 0.05% or 0.025%. The medicines differ in appearance: these are spray and drops. Some substitutes are available in gel form.
The active substance oxymetazoline has the following characteristic: preparations based on it have a proto-edematous, antihistamine, vasoconstrictive effect. After administration to the nose, medications begin to work immediately. They act on the vessels of the mucous membrane, facilitating breathing and eliminating unpleasant itching. The duration of such tools can vary from 6 to 12 hours.
Instructions for use
The drug "Oxymetazoline" (including analogues) is administered intranasally. A medicine is prescribed for infectious diseases of the nasopharynx, accompanied by swelling and respiratory failure. Also, a vasoconstrictor is used to alleviate seasonal rhinitis and to prepare for diagnostic (surgical) procedures.
The dosage of the drug depends on the age of the patient and ranges from 1 to 2 drops in each nostril. The frequency of use of the drug should not exceed three times a day. Duration of use is 3-5 days. Low dosages of the drug can be used up to 7 days.
"Oxymetazoline": analogues of the drug based on other active substances
Medicine knows many substitutes for the claimed drug. Anticongestants are designed to remove swelling from the mucous membranes. Often they are used to treat the common cold, but their use in other areas is not ruled out. Known active ingredients of the drugs: phenylephrine, naphazoline, xylometazoline, ephedrine, tetrahydrozoline and many others. Among the listed components, we can distinguish some of the most common. The drug "Oxymetazoline" analogues has the following:
- Otrivin, Galazolin, Xylen, Tizin, and so on. The basis of these drugs was the xylometazoline component. The peculiarity of these funds is that they are not prescribed for children under two years of age, and in certain dosages - up to 6 years.
- "Naphthyzinum", "Sanorin" have nafaolin in their composition. Such medicines are not prescribed for children whose age has not reached 12 months. According to studies, these drugs have a shorter duration of action than the drug "Oxymetazoline", analogues and substitutes.
Preparations for children
How to choose a substitute for the drug "Oxymetazoline"? Analogs for children should be chosen very carefully. Be sure to consider the fact that almost all vasoconstrictor drugs have different concentrations. If the child needs treatment, then it is advisable to show it to the doctor. Your inaction and self-medication can result in the most unexpected consequences.
Preparations based on the substance oxymetazoline hydrochloride (analogues) are administered to children in the following doses:
- up to one year - 1 drop in each nasal passage no more than once a day, medications are acceptable at a concentration of 0.01%;
- from a year to six years, drugs are prescribed in a dosage of 0.025%, 1-2 drops no more than three times a day;
- from six years old, an adult dosage of 0.05% is used, 2 drops three times a day.
The duration of treatment in children should not exceed 5 days. The most popular children's medications based on oxymetazoline: Nazivin, Nazivin Sensitive, Nesopin, Nazol.
Medications for adults: oxymetazoline
The analogs have the trade name as follows: “Nazivin for adults”, “Knoxpray”, “Afrin”, “Vicks Asset”, “Fairvex”, “Fazin”. The basis of all these drugs is the same oxymetazoline. For adult patients, drugs are administered in 2 doses in each nostril three times a day. This group of patients often chooses a medication in the form of a spray, which is unacceptable for children under 3-6 years old. The duration of treatment should not exceed 7 days. In rare cases, doctors prescribe these medicines for up to 10 days.
Oxymethazoline-based medications for adults and children after 6 years of age can be administered conjunctively. The dosage is 1-2 drops no more than 4 times a day.
At the end of the article
You already know what analogues Oxymetazoline has. The price of the medicines presented has a wide range. For example, drops of Galazolin cost about 50 rubles, and Nazivin medicine will cost you at least 150 rubles. Much depends on the manufacturer. The same component is different in different firms in cost. Not the last role is played by the form of release of the drug, its packaging. So, drugs in the form of a metered spray are slightly more expensive than the same drugs in drops. Children’s medicines in a lower dosage are cheaper than more concentrated solutions.
It is contraindicated to use analogs based on oxymetazoline for people with high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, intolerance to the active substances of drugs. It is worthwhile to refrain from such therapy with atrophic and drug rhinitis. If you had surgery on the meninges, then such therapy can be dangerous. Remember that all the medicines listed in the article do not have a therapeutic effect, but only relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the disease. Consult a doctor for qualified care.