Oxymetazoline is a decongestant. It works by constricting (shrinking) blood vessels (veins and arteries) in your body. The nasal formulation acts directly on the blood vessels in your nasal tissues. Constriction of the blood vessels in your nose and sinuses leads to drainage of these areas and a decrease in congestion.

Oxymetazoline nasal is used to treat congestion associated with allergies, hay fever, sinus irritation, and the common cold.

Oxymetazoline nasal may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Use oxymetazoline nasal exactly as directed by your doctor, or follow the instructions that accompany the package. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

To apply the nasal spray, keep your head upright, spray, then sniff hard for a few minutes after administering a dose.

To apply the nasal drops, lie on a bed on your back with your head hanging over the edge. Insert the drops and remain in this position for several minutes. Gently turn your head from side to side.

Do not allow the tip of the container to touch the inside of your nose or any other surface. This spreads the infection.

Also, to prevent the spread of infection, do not share this medication with anyone else.

Discard this medication bottle after use. Do not save it for reuse.

Never use this medication in larger doses or more often than is recommended. Too much oxymetazoline nasal could be very harmful. Oxymetazoline nasal should not be used more often than twice a day (every 12 hours).

Do not use oxymetazoline nasal for longer than 3 to 5 days. Longer use could cause damage to your nasal tissue and lead to chronic congestion. If your symptoms do not improve, see your doctor.

Store oxymetazoline nasal at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Do not use oxymetazoline nasal if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.

Although drug interactions between topical nasal decongestants and drugs taken by mouth are not expected, they can occur. Rarely, oxymetazoline nasal may interact with the following medicines:

• furazolidone (Furoxone);

• guanethidine (Ismelin);

• indomethacin (Indocin);

• methyldopa (Aldomet);

• bromocriptine (Parlodel);

• caffeine in cola, tea, coffee, chocolate and other products;

• theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, others);

• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), doxepin (Sinequan), and nortriptyline (Pamelor);

• other commonly used tricyclic antidepressants, including amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil);

• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), and prochlorperazine (Compazine); and

• other commonly used phenothiazines, including fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), mesoridazine (Serentil), and trifluoperazine (Stelazine).

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with oxymetazoline nasal. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Never use this medication in larger doses or more often than is recommended. Too much oxymetazoline nasal could be very harmful.

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an oxymetazoline nasal overdose include extreme tiredness, sweating, dizziness, a slow heartbeat, and coma.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use a double dose of this medication.

Do not use oxymetazoline nasal for longer than 3 to 5 days. Longer use could cause damage to your nasal tissue and lead to chronic congestion. If your symptoms do not improve, see your doctor.

Do not use more of this medication than is recommended on the package or by your doctor.

Do not use oxymetazoline nasal if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. This could cause a very dangerous drug interaction with serious side effects.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• high blood pressure;

• any type of heart disease, hardening of the arteries, or irregular heart beats;

• thyroid problems;

• diabetes;

• glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye;

• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or

• liver or kidney disease.

You may not be able to use oxymetazoline nasal, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether oxymetazoline nasal will harm an unborn baby. Do not use oxymetazoline nasal without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Infants are especially sensitive to the effects of oxymetazoline nasal. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from oxymetazoline nasal. You may require a lower dose of this medication.

Your pharmacist has additional information about oxymetazoline nasal written for health professionals that you may read.

Oxymetazoline nasal is available over the counter under may different brand and generic names in nasal spray and nasal drop formulations. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.