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Overview: Nasal oxymetazoline is sprayed in your nose to help improve a stuffy nose, sinus congestion, or sinus pressure. Common side effects of nasal oxymetazoline are temporary burning, stinging, sneezing, or a runny nose right after using it. You should not use nasal oxymetazoline for more than 3 days in a row unless your health care provider tells you to. Using too much of this medicine or for too long can make your stuffy nose come back or get worse.

Uses

What is nasal oxymetazoline used for?

Nasal oxymetazoline is commonly used to help with the following.

Nasal oxymetazoline may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does nasal oxymetazoline work (mechanism of action)?

Nasal oxymetazoline is a decongestant. It helps to narrow your blood vessels. This lowers swelling, inflammation, and congestion in your nose, allowing you to breathe better and helping to drain your sinuses, leading to less sinus pressure.

How is nasal oxymetazoline supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Afrin Nasal Spray
  • Dristan Nasal Spray
  • Mucinex Sinus-Max Nasal Spray
  • Nostrilla Nasal Spray
  • Sudafed Sinus Severe Original Nasal Spray
  • Vicks Sinex Nasal Spray

Example dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.025% nasal spray
  • 0.05% nasal spray

Oxymetazoline is available in other forms. See Rhofade (oxymetazoline topical) and Upneeq (oxymetazoline) for more information.

How should I store nasal oxymetazoline?

Nasal oxymetazoline should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). Store nasal oxymetazoline with the cap on it.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of nasal oxymetazoline?

The most common side effects of nasal oxymetazoline are temporary burning, stinging, sneezing, or a runny nose right after using the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of nasal oxymetazoline that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of nasal oxymetazoline?

While less common, the most serious side effects of nasal oxymetazoline are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Nasal oxymetazoline may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using nasal oxymetazoline and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use nasal oxymetazoline?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use nasal oxymetazoline.

  • Oxymetazoline
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific nasal oxymetazoline products they stock.

What should I know about nasal oxymetazoline before using it?

Read and follow the directions that come with your medicine. Do not use nasal oxymetazoline for more than 3 days in a row unless your health care provider tells you to. Using it too much or for too long can make your stuffy nose come back or get worse. 

Do not share nasal oxymetazoline with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. Sharing a nasal spray can spread germs.

Keep nasal oxymetazoline out of the reach of children.

Try to avoid tilting your head back while spraying the medicine in your nose. This may reduce the amount of medicine that may run down the back of your throat.

Wipe the nozzle clean after each use. Ask your pharmacist or other health care provider if you have any questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before using nasal oxymetazoline?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if nasal oxymetazoline is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems, including coronary artery disease
  • Blood pressure problems
  • Thyroid problems
  • Diabetes
  • Trouble emptying your bladder because of a large prostate

Other Medicines and Supplements. Nasal oxymetazoline may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using nasal oxymetazoline, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how nasal oxymetazoline could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use nasal oxymetazoline while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if nasal oxymetazoline passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use nasal oxymetazoline while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does nasal oxymetazoline interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between nasal oxymetazoline and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect nasal oxymetazoline.

Does nasal oxymetazoline interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past two weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with nasal oxymetazoline. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much nasal oxymetazoline?

If you or someone else has used too much nasal oxymetazoline, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of nasal oxymetazoline?

Nasal oxymetazoline is meant to be used as needed. Do not use this medicine more often than every 10 to 12 hours. Do not use more than two doses in any 24-hour period.