Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray

2025/07/30

What is this medication for?

Oxymetazoline is used to relieve nasal congestion.

How should I take/use this medication?

Oxymetazoline nasal spray should only used for short periods of time (maximum consecutively for 5 to 7 days). A treatment-free period should precede any repeated use to minimise risk of rebound nasal congestion.

Preparing the new device

Steps	Description
1	Shake the nasal spray gently and remove the cap.
2	Hold the device by placing your middle finger and index finger on the shoulders of the nasal spray, while holding the bottom of the spray with your thumb.
3	While pointing the spray into the air, press downwards on the counter for 10 times or until a fine and consistent mist appears. The device is now ready for use.
4	If unused for more than 2 weeks, reprime by spraying 2 times or until a clear and consistent mist appears.

Administering the medication

Steps	Description
1	Gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils before use. Use one finger to close off one of the nostrils.
2	Tilt your head slightly forward, keep the bottle upright and insert the spray into the other nostril.
3	Point the nozzle slightly away from the centre of the nose (towards the ears) for the medication to reach the correct part of the nose. Pointing it to the wrong part may increase the risk of nosebleed.
4	Start to breathe in slowly through your nose and at the same time, press down once on the device to release one spray.
5	Breathe out through the mouth and repeat steps 1 to 3 in the other nostril.
6	Wipe the spray with a clean tissue or cloth. Put the cap back to its original position.

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to oxymetazoline or any of the excipients in the nasal drop.
You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
You are on monoamine oxidase inhibitor (i.e. selegiline).
Increase intraocular pressure, especially narrow-angle glaucoma.
You have poorly controlled cardiovascular disease (e.g. coronary heart disease, hypertension) or metabolic disease (i.e. hyperthyroidism, diabetes) or hyperplasia of prostate.
You have a medical history of pheochromocytoma.

What are some common side-effects of this medication?

Occasionally, you will experience burning or dryness of the nasal mucosa and sneezing.

In rare cases, after the effect has worn off, you will feel an intense sensation of “blocked” nose (reactive hyperaemia) and nose bleed (epistaxis).

Overuse of oxymetazoline nasal spray may lead to systemic sympathomimetic effects like palpitations, accelerated pulse (tachycardia) and increase in blood pressure.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How should I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimer:

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately.
The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

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