When is it possible to use Naphthyzin in pregnant women?
According to the classification of the American Federal Food and Drug Commission (FDA), Naphthyzine is a drug of category C. The letter C in the category name means “Caution” - use with caution.
In other words, the risk of a negative effect of the drug cannot be excluded. Category C includes those drugs that have not undergone full clinical trials or have been shown to have a negative effect on the embryo in animal studies.
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In this regard, Naphthyzin is not prescribed to pregnant women in the early stages, during the formation of all organs and systems of the fetus.
Doctors believe that nasal drops can have a vasoconstrictor effect not only isolated in the nasal cavity. It has been suggested that they can, in parallel, also affect the lumen of the blood vessels of the placenta or the fetal brain. This is dangerous by slowing down blood flow in the placenta and can lead to oxygen starvation of the fetus.
As a result of this disruption of metabolic processes in the placenta, the child does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients that are delivered to him through the blood.
The drug can be used under the supervision of a physician as part of complex therapy for the following diseases:
- inflammatory process in the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis);
- inflammatory process of the auditory tubes (otitis media);
- vasomotor or allergic rhinitis of moderate or severe severity.
Naphthyzin - instructions for use of the drug during pregnancy
The active ingredient of the drug is naphazoline. The product contains purified water and boric acid as excipients, which has an antiseptic (disinfecting) effect without causing irritation.
The therapeutic effect is achieved due to the vasoconstrictor effect of naphazoline, which reduces blood flow to the nasal mucosa, which reduces swelling, and thereby increases the clearance in the nostril for the passage of air.
After instilling Naphthyzin into the nose, relief occurs after 5 minutes. The therapeutic effect lasts up to 4-6 hours.
Release form
Naphthyzine is dispensed in the form:
- drops in dropper bottles of 10 ml;
- spray with a spray nozzle in a 15 ml bottle.
Drops of 0.05% are considered for children and are suitable for instillation into both the nose and eyes. Naphthyzin 0.1% can only be dripped into the nose, since such a solution is too concentrated for the mucous membrane of the eye.
The spray is used only nasally.
Indications
Naphthyzin is indicated for:
- acute and seasonal rhinitis;
- sinusitis;
- acute eustachitis;
- laryngitis (chronic or acute).
For allergic or chronic conjunctivitis, the doctor may recommend instilling 0.05% Naphthyzine into the eyes, which helps relieve swelling of the conjunctiva and relieve lacrimation, redness and discomfort.
Pregnant women are recommended to use children's Naphthyzin 0.05% drops. For rhinitis, it is necessary to drip 2-3 drops of the drug into each nostril no more than 2-3 times a day.
When using a spray, 1-3 doses of the drug should be injected into each nostril no more than 4 times a day.
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For the symptomatic treatment of conjunctivitis, a 0.05% solution is instilled into each eye, gently pulling back the lower eyelid, 1-2 drops no more than 3 times a day.
It is recommended to end treatment immediately after the elimination of unwanted symptoms of nasal disease, even if it only took 2 days. The drug should not be used for more than 7 days in a row.
A repeat course is possible only after a few days. Simply put, it is recommended to use Naphthyzin for 3-5 days (but no more than 7 days), and then take a break of 2-3 days, and, if necessary, resume treatment again for 3-5 days.
This treatment regimen is explained by the fact that naphazoline is a specific substance, the long-term use of which reduces the effectiveness of vasoconstriction; they simply stop responding to the medicine. As a result, the swelling only intensifies, atrophic rhinitis begins to develop, “plus” addiction to the drug occurs.
In addition, naphazoline dries out the nasal mucosa, and when using the drug for more than 7 days in a row, the blood vessels become brittle, and nosebleeds begin to occur more and more often.
Contraindications
Naphthyzin eye drops should not be used for:
- severe course of eye diseases;
- insufficient amount of eye fluid (dry eye syndrome);
- increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma);
- Fuchs' bullous dystrophy.
Spray and nasal drops are contraindicated for:
- persistent increase in blood pressure;
- tachycardia;
- hyperthyroidism;
- atrophic and chronic rhinitis;
- hypersensitivity to the active substance;
- diabetes mellitus
Side effects
After using Naphthyzin, reactions from the following are possible:
- central nervous system in the form of headache;
- cardiovascular system (increased blood pressure, reactive hyperemia, increased heart rate);
- digestive system in the form of nausea.
When Naphthyzin is instilled into the eyes, itching and burning intensify for a short time, after which they disappear on their own. The pupils dilate, and with prolonged use, the pressure inside the eye increases.
If you use the drug nasally for more than 7 days, the risk of developing atrophic rhinitis and swelling of the mucous membranes increases.
With simultaneous treatment with Naphthyzin and drugs that lower blood pressure, the effectiveness of the latter decreases.
When taking Naphthyzin and drugs that stimulate the nervous system, the effect of the latter is enhanced.
Local anesthetics begin to be absorbed slowly, so their duration of action increases.
If several drugs are instilled into the eyes at once, Naphthyzin will reduce their effect.
Overdose
If you use Naphthyzin more often than prescribed or inject doses that exceed those permitted, then a woman may experience increased blood pressure, nausea and dizziness, and frequent headaches.
Symptoms go away after stopping treatment with the drug.
special instructions
After the first use of Naphthyzin, patients complain of dryness and burning, but they soon pass. In rare cases, Quincke's edema develops.
The effectiveness of treatment decreases with prolonged use of the drug, and addiction develops. There is an increased risk of developing a drug-induced runny nose, in which nasal congestion occurs after discontinuation of Naphthyzin.
Eye drops dilate the pupils and vision becomes less sharp. Therefore, you should avoid jobs that require increased attention and concentration.
How to use the drug
If the doctor is confident that there is no risk to the fetus, and you can trust the doctor’s decision, use the drug strictly following the dosage.
Keep in mind that Naphthyzin does not treat inflammation, but only reduces its symptoms, normalizing the patient’s breathing.
In addition, addiction occurs after the seventh use of the medicine.
Immediately after administration of the drug, the mucous membrane dries out, and with longer use, destruction of the capillary restoration system occurs. Thus, treatment with Naphthyzin can cause vascular atrophy.
It is also worth noting that treatment with boric acid, which is part of the drug, has been found to be ineffective. In addition, boric acid is highly toxic.
It is necessary to use Naphthyzin during pregnancy only in special cases when it has been proven that there is no risk.
Instill the pediatric form of the medication in the calculated dosage. Usually it is no more than two drops in the morning and evening.
Contraindications to the use of Naphthyzin
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There are contraindications to the use of Naphthyzin:
- chronic rhinitis;
- hypertension;
- gestosis II-III degree, manifested by severe swelling and high blood pressure;
- heart rhythm disturbances, including tachycardia;
- atherosclerosis;
- diabetes;
- thyrotoxicosis (increased function of the thyroid gland);
- some eye diseases;
- individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
- concurrent use of certain antidepressants (monoamine oxidase inhibitors - MAOIs). Moreover, after completing the course of MAO inhibitors, you should not take Naphthyzin for another 14 days.
Pregnancy and Naphthyzin: which is better to choose for children or regular?
When taken into the body for a long time, naphazoline causes addiction, and the drug ceases to relieve nasal congestion.
In addition, the drug will begin to be absorbed into the blood and spread throughout the body, contributing to the narrowing of blood vessels in the uterine area. And this can lead to disruption of uteroplacental blood flow, and as a consequence, to fetal hypoxia and developmental delay. In this regard, pregnant women are recommended to use 0.05% Naphthyzin for children.
It is better to instill only 1-2 drops into a blocked nasal passage, no more than 3 times a day. You should not use Naphthyzin for more than 5 days. But nasal congestion should not be left untreated. When the nasal mucosa is swollen, the respiratory passages are not able to pass a sufficient amount of oxygen for the body of the baby and mother. This threatens the development of the same hypoxia.
If you have 0.1% Naphthyzin, use it with caution. It’s better to make a flagellum from a cotton pad or just cotton wool, put 1-2 drops of solution on it and insert it into the nasal passage. Breathing will improve.
Since doctors recommend avoiding taking vasoconstrictors during pregnancy, it is better to replace Naphthyzin with another drug.
Below is a table telling you what exactly should be taken instead of Naphthyzin in various cases.
| What's troubling? | Action |
| Infectious rhinitis | Infectious diseases in the early stages require immediate treatment. An untreated infection can cause fetal defects or involuntary abortion. A nasal rinse (for example, Aqua Maris), Pinosol (if you are not allergic to its components) and various inhalations are prescribed. For viral rhinitis, Viferon, Grippferon and similar drugs are additionally prescribed. For bacterial rhinitis, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. |
| Allergic rhinitis | It is necessary to eliminate contact with the allergen. It is recommended to rinse the nose with a saline solution (Aqua Maris, Aqualor or Dolphin). An allergist prescribes an antihistamine drug individually and only when absolutely necessary. |
| Rhinitis in pregnant women | Often occurs in the first trimester, sometimes women suffer from it throughout the entire period of bearing a child. Indicated for use is Aqua Maris or any other saline solution for rinsing the nose. If you have severe nasal congestion, you should consult a doctor in person. |
Basic information about the drug
Naphthyzin is a nasal solution about which there are a number of conflicting opinions. Mommies are attracted by its availability, speed and effectiveness of its impact, and the low price also plays an important role; Doctors are against the use of these drops during pregnancy. Why are medical luminaries categorical in their opinions? Let's find out...
Compound
The active substance of Naphthyzin is naphazoline nitrate: 1 ml of solution contains about 0.5 - 1 mg (depending on the type of medicine) of the active substance, which has a vasoconstrictor effect. The drops begin to neutralize discomfort immediately after their use, providing a narrowing of the peripheral blood vessels of the nose.
Release form
Naphthyzin is available in the form:
- dropper bottle containing 0.05% or 0.1% naphazoline solution.
- 15 ml spray
The 0.1% solution is intended for adult patients and is used only nasally, while the 0.05% drug can be used by children (nasally or by inhalation).
Indications for use
Despite the fact that the instructions for Naphthyzin do not clearly prohibit its use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, it is still advisable to use the drug only when the expected benefit for the mother is higher than the risk of harm to the unborn child.
Only a doctor can assess the danger of the current situation. Self-medication is unacceptable, as it can cause serious harm to the unborn child!
The doctor may authorize the use of this medicine if the expectant mother develops one of the following diseases:
- Rhinitis (acute and allergic).
- Rhinitis in pregnant women.
- Sinusitis.
- Laryngitis.
- Sinusitis.
- Allergy, one of the manifestations of which is swelling of the nasal mucosa.
- Swelling of the larynx.
- Conjunctivitis.
The whole truth about Naphthyzin! A must read for everyone!
Naphthyzin does not cure, it only eliminates unpleasant symptoms by constricting the vessels of the nasal mucosa. But since this remedy is cheap and works quickly, it has become quite popular in the treatment of a runny nose.
Yes, nasal congestion goes away within just a few minutes, but at the same time, with prolonged use of the drug, the nasal mucosa constantly dries out, its cells lose the ability to recover, and the capillaries themselves can no longer expand or contract without external stimulants. And then addiction sets in, and the person can no longer imagine life without Naphthyzin, increasing the dose of the drug each time. This addiction is equivalent to a drug addiction.
A woman will frantically search for her “drug” in her purse in the middle of the night if the bottle under her pillow suddenly runs out. Panic grows when there is not even a drop of Naphthyzin in the house, the psyche will react to this with an attack of suffocation, although in fact the person can calmly breathe through the mouth, nothing threatens his life. It's all in the head, and nothing more.
In this case, you need to “get off” the drug gradually, first switch to the children’s form of the drug or gradually dilute naphthyzine drops with water as you use them, then reduce the frequency of its use, and then stop taking it altogether.
Or start dripping Naphthyzin into only one nostril. When the mucous membrane is restored, breathing will normalize, and this will be enough to breathe without the feeling of suffocation. And then just stop dripping the drug altogether.
This requires willpower, but after a while the mucous membrane will recover and you will understand that you can do without drops.
Mechanism of action of Naphthyzin
Naphthyzin is popular in the treatment of runny nose. It contains naphazoline, which has a vasoconstrictor and anti-inflammatory effect. It relieves nasal congestion during colds or allergies, restoring free breathing. But you need to understand that this medication does not cure, but only eliminates symptoms.
Naphthyzin is used for inflammatory diseases of the nasal cavity
The instructions for the drug do not contain information about the effect of naphazoline on reproductive function, the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus. When prescribing a drug, the ratio of expected benefits and potential risks must be taken into account.
Some features of the use of Naphthyzin
In cases of forced use of Naphthyzin and its analogues in pregnant women, the course of treatment with such drugs should not exceed 3-5 days. You should not put drops in your nose more than 3-4 times a day.
That is, it is necessary to observe a six-hour break. Otherwise, prolonged and incorrect use of Naphthyzin may cause the body to become addicted to the active substance. In this case, the drug ceases to act for its intended purpose, and the likelihood of harmful effects on the body increases.
Some people, in order to achieve a therapeutic effect, continue to drip into the nose instead of the prescribed 1-2 drops, for example, 3-4 drops of the drug. As a result, a person may temporarily lose the ability to distinguish odors due to blocking of olfactory receptors. At the same time, I repeat, the risk of negative side effects increases by an order of magnitude.
Negative consequences of using Naphthyzin:
- headache;
- nausea;
- local irritation reactions;
- the formation of an atrophic form of rhinitis due to drying out of the mucous membrane;
- increased heart rate, increased blood pressure;
- increased swelling of the nasal mucosa.
Even if the drug was prescribed to you by a doctor, if any negative manifestations occur, you should immediately stop taking it and consult a doctor.
In medicine, there is such a thing as “medicinal rhinitis.” This is chronic swelling of the nasal mucosa as a result of prolonged use of vasoconstrictor drops.
This is already a vicious circle. Nasal congestion forces a person to use drops - their effect is short-lived - after which the swelling resumes with renewed vigor.
Therefore, it is better not to start treatment with vasoconstrictor drugs. In general, you should try to use them only in extreme cases. And in case of emergency, use once at night to ensure a restful sleep.
Indications
Instructions for use indicate the following indications for prescribing the medication:
- swelling of the nasal mucosa and larynx;
- diseases of the conjunctiva;
- nosebleeds;
- allergy;
- rhinitis arising for various reasons.
The instructions for use indicate naphazoline as the main active ingredient in Naphthyzin drops. It will have a vasoconstrictor effect. Naphthyzin does not cure a runny nose during pregnancy, but it does help relieve the condition and make breathing easier. However, this effect lasts only a few hours.
If swelling in a pregnant woman is caused by hormonal changes in the body, Naphthyzin during pregnancy helps to endure this period easier and make breathing easier.
However, consulting a doctor about whether Naphthyzin can be used during pregnancy is necessary. As is known, vasoconstrictor drops can be harmful to pregnant women, especially in the first and third trimester.
