SARS and seasonal colds are always accompanied by a number of unpleasant symptoms, among which the most common is a runny nose. Due to nasal congestion, the patient experiences many inconveniences, his body does not have enough air, since he cannot take a deep breath. There are many medicines on the pharmacy shelves that quickly eliminate the symptoms, but sometimes the treatment does not have a significant effect. In such cases, the attending physician often prescribes "Dexamethasone" to be instilled into the nose. The drug is effective, but it is not recommended to conduct independent treatment.
Form and composition
The drug is a glucocorticoid drug, which is available in tablets and solution. ENT doctors in some cases prescribe a liquid form of the medication, which is essentially an eye drop, for instillation into the nose. "Dexamethasone" is made in bottles, looks like a colorless or yellow solution. In one bottle, either five or ten milliliters of the drug with a concentration of the active component of 0.1%. The active ingredient here is sodium dexamethasone phosphate. Also in the solution there is benzalkonium chloride, sodium tetraborate decahydrate, disodium edetate, sterile water and boric acid.
Action Features
Dexamethasone nasal drops have an anti-inflammatory effect, as they reduce the activity of the inflammation, prevent the penetration of immune cells into the affected tissues and block the production of inflammatory mediators. In addition, the drug has an antiexudative effect due to a decrease in the permeability of the vascular walls. The result of this effect is a decrease in swelling of the mucous membrane, as well as facilitating the breathing process.
Indications for use
In the official instructions for the use of the drug "Dexamethasone" it is not described as drops in the nose, it is used in the ophthalmic area. Drops effectively eliminate:
- symptoms and causes of keratoconjunctivitis, keratitis, non-purulent conjunctivitis;
- keratoconjunctivitis and conjunctivitis allergic in origin;
- blepharitis;
- episcleritis and scleritis;
- superficial corneal disorders of various nature;
- inflammation in the back of the eye;
- sympathetic ophthalmia;
- iritis.
The drug is often used in the recovery period after inflammation, as a prophylactic measure after injuries and previous operations of varying complexity.
The drug "Dexamethasone" in the nose is used in exceptional cases, when other procedures and tools did not have the desired effect.
The drug is especially effective for sinusitis if pus deposits do not come out for a long time, and surgical intervention cannot be performed.
In what cases is the drug used for instillation in the nose?
The medicine in the form of drops is successfully used in the ophthalmological field for the treatment of eye pathologies, namely: damage to the cornea, iritis, scleritis, conjunctivitis and blepharitis. However, the drug can be used in otolaryngology for the treatment of diseases of ENT organs. Often, "Dexamethasone" in the nose is used in the treatment of diseases of an allergic and inflammatory nature. It is undesirable to use a hormonal agent for a cold. "Dexamethasone" is used exclusively for the treatment of severe diseases of the nasal cavity. A hormonal drug is instilled into the nose in the following cases: severe congestion; sinusitis; vasomotor rhinitis. Also, the remedy is effective for severe nasal congestion and shortness of breath arising from an allergic reaction. "Dexamethasone" can be used for severe allergic reactions, when there is no result against the background of a prolonged course of rhinopharyngitis and rhinitis. In addition to using complex nasal drops with dexamethasone, inhalation procedures with an injection solution for pharyngitis and laryngitis are allowed.
Dosage and specifics of use
"Dexamethasone" in the nose of a child and adult is instilled for 3-7 days. Its dosage is 1-2 drops three times a day. If there is congestion in only one nostril, the solution is not buried in the second. Before instillation into the nasal passages, the nasal cavity should be cleaned of mucus. To this end, rinse the nasal passages with saline. You can buy it at the pharmacy or cook it yourself. The hormonal agent can only be instilled in a cleaned passage.
If you follow the methods of using the hormonal drug for diseases of ENT organs, you can achieve a positive result. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the prescribed dosage, since this hormonal drug and an excess of the active component can cause side effects. In the treatment of sinusitis and other diseases of the purulent type of nose, it is undesirable to simultaneously use "Dexamethasone" and other medicines. Only a specialist will be able to choose the right treatment regimen. It must be remembered that the combined use of Ephedrine, Theophylline, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital with Dexamethasone will affect the decrease in the concentration of the latter. Concomitant use with diuretics and Amphotericin B can cause heart failure in a patient.
Contraindications
The drug "Dexamethasone" is a strong medicine, so you need to know in which cases its use is contraindicated. You can not use a hormonal medication in the following situations:
- mild infections of the ENT organs;
- hypertension;
- heart pathology (arrhythmia, tachycardia);
- diabetes;
- blood and pus in the sputum;
- lactation and bearing a child.
A contraindication is also an allergic reaction to the composition of the drug. If there are mental disorders in the medical history, this is also a contraindication to the use of the medicine. The drug "Dexamethasone" can not be used to treat minor children.
It is possible to instill the drug into the nose of small patients only after consulting a pediatrician. In addition, Dexamethasone is often used for emergency care when it is necessary to eliminate an attack or get rid of a serious illness.
For constant use and with mild inflammation, such a medicine is not suitable. ENT doctors in some cases prescribe complex nasal drops for children with Dexamethasone. They also include other drugs, including antiseptics (Miramistin, Furatsilin, Dioxidin), vasoconstrictors (Xylen, Nazivin, and Galazolin), antihistamines, and antibiotics. The recipe for these multicomponent drops is selected individually, many factors are taken into account, including the age of the child and the course of the disease.
Complex nose drops with dioxidine and dexamethasone may contain:
- Antiseptic liquid, saline or boiled cold water.
- A vasoconstrictor drug: Nazivin, Naphthyzin, or Galazolin.
- Antihistamines ("Diphenhydramine", "Suprastin" and "Tavegil").
- Antibacterial pharmaceuticals (Penicillin, Lincomycin, Cefazolin).
- Glucocorticosteroids (you can replace "Dexamethasone" with "Hydrocortisone", "Bordizone" or "Prednisolone").
Also, when mixing nose drops with dioxidine and dexamethasone, it is allowed to use essential oils, plant extracts, and vitamins in the form of solutions as additional components. These substances are able to have an antioxidant effect, fight inflammation and soften the nasal mucosa well.
Side effects
According to the instructions, Dexamethasone nasal drops for a child and an adult are not intended for the treatment of ENT organs, but many doctors recommend them. If the hormonal drug is used irrationally, the likelihood of side effects increases. Most often, vomiting, digestive upsets, and nausea may appear. Often there are tingling and a burning sensation, hyperemia, as well as arrhythmia, tachycardia and hypertensive seizures.
Analogues of the drug
There are a number of drugs that do not differ in their healing properties from Dexamethasone. Select analogues in the case when there is an individual intolerance to any substance in the composition. A drug similar in effect is selected exclusively by the attending physician.
Dexamethasone has the following structural analogues: Dexason, Dexafar, Dexamed, Decadron, Dexon, Maxidex, Dexapos. There are combined drugs, which include an antibiotic and dexamethasone: "Polydex"; Toradex; Sofradex "Triobrazon"; Maxitrol. Due to several active substances, a bactericidal, vasoconstrictor and anti-inflammatory effect is provided. The doctor selects an analogue taking into account the patient's condition. Self-medication is prohibited, since many drugs have side effects and contraindications.
Reviews
Dexamethasone treatment received many positive responses. The drug is praised for its quick and effective action, a significant effect is noted for allergic diseases. When prescribing drops by a doctor, the dosage should not be exceeded, no side effects were noted.
But many experts and parents do not recommend burying the drug in the nose, since the medication with this treatment is rapidly absorbed, so there is a high probability of an overdose. People prefer drugs from among the same glucocorticoids, however, intended for administration into the nasal passages. The concentration of the active substance in them is lower, making them safer.