Vicks asset for the nose

Properties of Vicks Active Sinex

According to its mechanism of action, oxymetazoline belongs to the group of sympathomimetics - by stimulating alpha-adrenergic receptors of the vascular wall, it initiates contraction of smooth muscles and narrowing of the lumen. This is a decongestant substance, which, when applied to the nasal mucosa, initiates the following therapeutic effects:

• Elimination of puffiness.
• Decreased secretion (rhinorrhea).
• Improved nasal breathing.

When arterial vessels narrow, the flow of blood into the venous plexuses is reduced, thereby preventing their swelling. A decrease in the thickness of the mucous membrane leads to the restoration of aeration of the paranasal sinuses and the middle ear cavity, which is a measure to prevent complications (sinusitis, otitis).

Thanks to components of plant origin - aloe extract and eucalyptol - additional effects are achieved:

• Antiseptic.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Antioxidant.
• Immunomodulatory.

Thanks to this, it is possible not only to eliminate the symptoms, but also to influence the causes and mechanisms of development of the pathology. This leads to a reduction in the duration of the disease and allows you to quickly return to your normal life.

After administration into the nasal cavity, the effect occurs within 15 minutes and lasts for 6–8 hours. Systemic absorption of oxymetazoline is negligible. The absorbed substance is excreted from the body unchanged in urine and feces.

The drug is a decongestant, i.e. it constricts the vessels of the nasal mucosa. And due to additional ingredients, it has a number of other beneficial qualities.

Indications for use

The drug is used for conditions requiring restoration of the patency of the nose, paranasal sinuses and tympanic cavity. The list of indications includes:

• Acute rhinitis (infectious).
• Vasomotor runny nose (including allergic).
• Sinusitis (sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, ethmoiditis).
• Eustacheite.
• Otitis media

In addition, Vicks Active is used at the preparatory stage for diagnostic procedures (for example, rhinoscopy). By reducing swelling, it makes it possible to inspect the mucous membrane and avoid damage to it with the instrument.

Indications and contraindications

The drug has a number of indications and restrictions for use. Indications for use are:

• 
  respiratory diseases with symptoms of nasal congestion;

• rhinitis of various etiologies;
• sinusitis;
• frontal sinusitis;
• eustachitis;
• diagnostic manipulations through the nose.

Contraindications include:

• hypersensitivity to any component of the drug;
• atrophic rhinitis;
• wounds, cracks in the nasal mucosa, or skin around the wings of the nose;
• taking MAO inhibitors (monoamine oxidase) both in parallel and for 14 days after taking them;
• taking medications that increase blood pressure;
• severe cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiac asthma);
• pheochromocytoma;
• prostate hypertrophy;
• glaucoma and increased eye pressure;
• endocrine diseases and hormonal imbalances (porphyria, diabetes, hyperthyroidism).

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Increased eye pressure

Rarely prescribed to people with acute renal or renal failure. The drug is not recommended for use in children under 6 years of age, as there is a risk of developing apnea. A special children's form is available in the form of effervescent tablets that dissolve in water. The possibility of use during pregnancy and lactation raises a lot of controversy.

On the one hand, breathing problems in the mother can cause developmental problems in the fetus (consequences of hypoxia). On the other hand, the drug crosses the placental barrier and breast milk and can also harm the baby. Therefore, the use of the spray by pregnant and lactating women is permissible only after consultation with a specialist.

Side effects

Even when using therapeutic dosages of the drug, you may encounter a number of side effects. The instructions for the spray indicate the following:

• Allergic (itching, urticaria, angioedema).
• Respiratory (dryness and burning of the mucous membrane, irritation in the throat, sneezing, nosebleeds, reactive swelling).
• Neuropsychiatric (headaches, anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbances, convulsions).
• Cardiovascular (increased blood pressure, accelerated heartbeat).
• Visual (irritation, redness, discomfort).

If you notice previously absent symptoms similar to side effects, you must notify your doctor about this to review therapy.

Pharmacological groups

• Anticongestant - alpha adrenergic agonist [Alpha adrenergic agonists]
• Anticongestant - alpha-adrenergic agonist [Anticongestants]

Pharmacological action - anticongestive.

Local reactions: sometimes - burning or dryness of the nasal mucous membranes, dry mouth and throat, sneezing, increased volume of secretions released from the nose; in rare cases - after the effect of using the drug wears off, a strong feeling of nasal congestion (reactive hyperemia).

Systemic reactions: increased blood pressure, headache, dizziness, palpitations, tachycardia, increased anxiety, sedation, irritability, sleep disturbances (in children), nausea, insomnia, exanthema, blurred vision (if it gets into the eyes).

The preservative benzalkonium chloride, which is part of the drug, may cause swelling of the nasal mucosa. If this happens, it is necessary to change the drug to another one that does not contain preservatives.

When used simultaneously with MAO inhibitors (including the period within 14 days after their discontinuation) and tricyclic antidepressants, an increase in blood pressure may be observed.

The drug slows down the absorption of local anesthetic drugs and prolongs their effect.

Co-administration of other vasoconstrictor drugs increases the risk of side effects.

Conditions and periods of storage The drug should be stored out of the reach of children at a temperature not exceeding 25°C. Shelf life – 3 years.

Overdose

Violating the doctor’s recommendations for using the spray is fraught with a number of negative reactions. Significant excess of dosage or accidental ingestion leads to the following symptoms:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Tachycardia and arrhythmias.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Dilated pupils (mydriasis).
• Increased sweating.
• Pallor and cyanosis.
• Irritability.
• Pulmonary edema.
• Cramps.

In addition to these phenomena, depression of the nervous system may occur in the form of drowsiness, respiratory distress, and even coma. Overdose requires symptomatic therapy: gastric lavage, sorbents, ventilation, anticonvulsants.

An overdose of oxymetazoline is accompanied by disturbances in many body systems, which require emergency treatment.

Interactions with other drugs and analogues

It is important during therapy to consider the compatibility of the spray with other drugs:

1. The drug is absolutely incompatible with MAO inhibitors and other medications that can increase blood pressure.
2. Not compatible with other vasoconstrictor drugs.

   

   Rules for the use of vasoconstrictor drugs

3. The active substance of the spray tends to interact with tricyclic antidepressants, which manifests itself in the form of a risk of arrhythmia and high blood pressure.
4. It should be used with extreme caution when taking Bromocriptine, as complications from the cardiovascular system may develop. Reduces the effect of ß-blockers and other antihypertensive medications.

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Spray Vicks has many analogues. A short list of the most effective ones is presented below:

1. Afrin Comfort Menthol is a white spray with a viscous, gel-like consistency. The content of oxymetazoline is 0.5 mg per 1 ml of the drug.
2. Nazalong is a nasal spray, dosed, sprayed in the form of an aerosol. The percentage of oxymetazoline content per 100 mg of substance is 0.05%.

3. 
   Nazivin - nasal drops, are available in 3 types, which differ in the amount of active substance in the composition: 0.01, 0.025 and 0.05% per 100 mg.

4. Nazol - produced in the form of a spray. Physical characteristics - transparent, colorless liquid, odorless.
5. Nazo-Spray is a clear, colorless or slightly yellowish liquid with a specific odor.

There are no significant differences in indications and contraindications. In this case, the analogues differ in the amount of excipients in their composition.

Contraindications

To ensure that treatment with the drug is as safe as possible for the patient, before prescribing it, the doctor excludes contraindications. The list of restrictions includes:

• Individual intolerance.
• Atrophic rhinitis.
• Damage to the mucous membrane.
• Angle-closure glaucoma.
• Severe cardiac pathology (coronary disease, hypertension, left ventricular failure).
• Endocrine disorders (diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma).
• BPH.

The drug is contraindicated to treat runny nose in children under 6 years of age. In addition, Vicks Active Sinex is not intended for long-term therapy.

Vicks Active Sinex: release form and composition of the drug

The German spray Vicks Active, the composition of which is oxymetazoline, is produced in 15 ml bottles with a special spray nozzle made of darkened glass.

This dosage form is distinguished by the convenience of administering the solution into the nasal passages and the accuracy of dosing, while there is no such form as Vicks nasal drops.

The active ingredient of the drug affects α-adrenergic receptors, due to which the tone of the smooth muscles of the smallest vessels of the mucous membrane of the nasal passages increases, which provokes their narrowing.

This in turn leads to a decrease in the severity of rhinorrhea (runny nose), swelling and nasal congestion provoked by it.

Thanks to the presence of aloe vera and levomenthol, the spray has a mild antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and refreshing effect.

This leads to almost instantaneous relief of breathing and promotes the rapid death of microorganisms that cause rhinitis.

The auxiliary components include:

1. sorbitol;
2. tyloxapol;
3. chlorhexidine bigluconate;
4. sodium citrate;
5. benzalkonium chloride;
6. lemon acid.

Vicks active Sinex spray for runny nose: price

Interactions

Oxymetazoline spray cannot be combined with other medications that have sympathomimetic properties (dopamine, norepinephrine, mesaton, ephedrine). The simultaneous administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants is contraindicated. This is associated with an increased risk of systemic effects, especially cardiovascular effects.

Vicks Active Sinex belongs to the group of decongestants. It contains oxymetazoline with aloe extract and eucalyptol, which gives the medication, along with vasoconstrictor, a number of additional qualities. The nasal spray is indicated for short-term treatment of diseases of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and ear, but only within the framework of medical prescriptions.

Instructions for Vicks Active spray

Vicks Active spray is an alpha-adrenergic agonist that is effective for topical use and is capable of exerting a vasoconstrictor effect.

The drug is used intranasally and when administered, the swelling of the nasal mucosa almost immediately decreases, which significantly facilitates nasal breathing.

The drug begins to act five minutes after use with a duration of up to 12 hours.

Vicks Active spray is indicated for use in cases of nasal congestion to ease breathing.

It is used in the complex treatment of colds and viral respiratory tract infections, as well as for sinusitis and rhinitis, including allergic ones.

For adults and children over ten years of age, 2 sprays into each nostril no more than three times a day are recommended;

For children from 6 to 10 years old, one injection into each nasal passage is recommended, no more than three times a day;

Vicks Active spray should not be used for more than a week. If this period is exceeded, the condition of the nose may worsen. In this case, you should consult a doctor. It is important to remember that when using the spray, you should not throw your head back and spray it in a lying position.