This medicine is intended for short-term use only. Repeated and/or prolonged administration can cause appreciable systemic exposure to the active substances and increase the risk of side effects.
Tachyphylaxis – a rapidly diminishing response to the drug after a few doses. Using more of this product and/or using it for longer than recommended may also lead to reduced effect of a dose (due to repetitive drug exposure) and rebound congestion (see 4.8).
Prolonged or excessive use may result in reactive hyperaemia, chronic swelling of the nasal mucosa known as rhinitis medicamentosa, and atrophy of the nasal mucosa. Increasing the dose and/or frequency of xylometazoline nasal spray at onset of rebound congestion and/or rhinitis medicamentosa, will worsen the nasal congestion. Patients must stop treatment rather than increasing the dose or prolonging treatment. It is necessary to ensure that the treatment period does not exceed 5 days of continuous use. Alternative treatment may be required if nasal congestion persists beyond the recommended treatment period (see 4.8).
Otrivine Congestion Relief 0.1% Nasal Spray, like other sympathomimetic agents, should be used with caution in patients showing a strong reaction to adrenergic substances, as manifested by signs of insomnia, dizziness, tremor, cardiac arrhythmias or elevated blood pressure.
Caution is recommended in patients with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus or tri and tetra-cyclic antidepressants (see Interactions).
Patients with long QT syndrome treated with xylometazoline may be at increased risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias.
Keep medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Information concerning excipients
This medicine contains polyoxyl hydrogenated castor oil (2.750 mg/ml) which may cause skin reactions.
Labelling (outer pack):
The label will state (to be displayed prominently on the front of the outer pack):
For 5 days use only.
The label will also state:
Leave at least 8 hours between doses.
For short-term use only.
Do not use for more than 5 days in a row. Do not use more medicine than the label tells you to. If your symptoms worsen or you do not feel better after 5 days, stop treatment and seek medical advice.