Otrivine^® Adult Nasal Drops

Xylometazoline Hydrochloride 0.1% w/v

For excipients see 6.1

Nasal drops, solution

The product is a clear, colourless solution

For the symptomatic relief of nasal congestion, perennial and allergic rhinitis (including hay fever), sinusitis.

Adults and elderly (all indications): 2 or 3 drops in each nostril 2 or 3 times daily.

The drops are suitable for children over 12 years of age.

Route of administration: Nasal use

Known hypersensitivity to Otrivine.

Patients with trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy or surgery exposing the dura mater.

Patients are advised not to take decongestants for more than seven consecutive days. Otrivine, like other preparations belonging to the same class of active substances, should be used only with caution in patients showing a strong reaction to sympathomimetic agents as evidenced by signs of insomnia, dizziness etc.

Caution is recommended in patients with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, narrow angle glaucoma or diabetes mellitus.

Label warnings and precautions

• Do not exceed the stated dose

• Do not use continuously for more than seven consecutive days. If symptoms persist consult your doctor

• If you are pregnant or taking other medicines or are under a doctor's care consult your doctor before using Otrivine

• Not to be used for infants or children under 12 years

• Each Otrivine pack should be used by one person only to prevent any cross infection

• For reasons of hygiene do not use this bottle for more than 28 days after first opening it

• Keep medicines out of reach of children

Additional leaflet warnings and precautions

• Do not use if you are sensitive to any of the ingredients of Otrivine

• Do not use if you have had recent neurosurgery

• Consult your doctor before using Otrivine if you have heart or circulatory disease

• Some patients who have sensitive nasal passages may feel some local discomfort when applying nasal drops.

• Other side effects such as palpitations, nausea and headache are very rare

As for all sympathomimetics, a reinforcement of the systemic effects of xylometazoline by concomitant use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants, cannot be excluded, especially in case of overdose.

No foetal toxicity or fertility studies have been carried out in animals. In view of its potential systemic vasoconstrictor effect, it is advisable to take the precaution of not using Otrivine during pregnancy.

Label warning: If you are pregnant or taking any other medicines or are under a doctor's care, consult him before using Otrivine.

No evidence of any adverse effect on the breast-fed infant. However, it is not known if xylometazoline is excreted in breast milk, therefore caution should be exercised and Otrivine should be used only on the advice of a doctor whilst breastfeeding.

None

The following side effects have occasionally been encountered: A burning sensation in the nose and throat, local irritation, nausea, headache, and dryness of the nasal mucosa.

Systemic cardiovascular effects have occurred, and this should be kept in mind when giving Otrivine to people with cardiovascular disease.

In isolated cases, systemic allergic reactions and transient visual disturbances.

In rare instances of accidental poisoning in children, the clinical picture has been marked chiefly by signs such as acceleration and irregularity of the pulse, elevated blood pressure and sometimes conscious clouding.

There is no specific treatment. Appropriate supportive measures should be initiated.

Otrivine Adult Nasal Drops is a sympathomimetic agent with marked alpha-adrenergic activity, and is intended for use in the nose. It constricts the nasal blood vessels, thereby decongesting the mucosa of the nose and neighbouring regions of the pharynx. This enables patients suffering from colds to breathe more easily through the nose. The effect of Otrivine Adult Nasal Drops begins within a few minutes and lasts for up to 10 hours. Otrivine Adult Nasal Drops is generally well tolerated and does not impair the function of ciliated epithelium.

In a double-blind, saline solution (Otrisal) controlled study in patients with common cold, the decongestant effect of Otrivine was significantly superior (p<0.0001) to Otrisal saline solution based on rhinomanometry measurement at 1 hour after administration of the study drugs.

Systemic absorption may occur following nasal application of xylometazoline hydrochloride solutions. It is not used systemically.

There are no findings in the preclinical testing which are of relevance to the prescriber.

Benzalkonium chloride

Disodium phosphate dodecahydrate (Sodium phosphate)

Disodium edetate

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate (Sodium acid phosphate)

Sodium chloride

Sorbitol

Hypromellose

Purified water

None

Unopened: 36 months

After the container is opened for the first time: 28 days

Protect from heat

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children

Novartis Consumer Health UK Limited

Wimblehurst Road

Horsham

West Sussex

RH12 5AB

Trading as: Novartis Consumer Health

PL 00030/0115

15 November 2003

31 January 2012

GSL