Ephedrine Nasal Drops

Ephedrine nasal drops are medications for treating nasal congestion caused by coughs , colds , sinusitis, or allergies. This medicine should only be used by adults and children over 12 years of age.

Ephedrine nose drops are one of the dosage forms of the drug ephedrine or ephedrine. This drug belongs to the class of decongestants which work by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose.

When inflammation occurs in the nasal cavity, be it due to infection, irritation, or allergies, the blood vessels around the nose will widen. This will cause leakage of fluid from the blood vessels into the nasal walls so that the nasal walls swell and block airflow.

By the way ephedrine nose drops work, swelling of the nasal walls can subside and breathing becomes easier. This medicine can be used if simple methods , such as inhaling warm steam, cannot overcome this complaint.

Trademarks of ephedrine nose drops:-

What are Ephedrine Nasal Drops

Precautions Before Using Ephedrine Nasal Drops

Ephedrine nasal drops are available only with a prescription. There are several things that need to be considered before using this drug, namely:

• Tell your doctor about any history of allergies you have. Ephedrine nasal drops should not be used in people who are allergic to this drug or to ephedrine in other dosage forms.
• Do not use ephedrine nose drops if you are being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressants ( MAOIs ), or beta-blocker antihypertensive drugs .
• Tell your doctor if you have hypertension , glaucoma, stroke, heart attack, cardiomyopathy , heart rhythm disturbances, hyperthyroidism , difficulty urinating, pheochromocytoma , or have recently had nose or sinus surgery. This drug should not be used in patients with these conditions.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease , asthma, enlarged prostate gland , or diabetes.
• Do not give ephedrine nose drops to children younger than 12 years.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy.
• Do not share ephedrine nasal drops with other people to prevent the spread of infection.
• Tell your doctor that you are using ephedrine nose drops if you are planning to have surgery under general anesthesia, including dental surgery.
• Tell your doctor if you are using other medicines, including supplements and herbal products, to prevent drug interactions.
• Immediately consult a doctor if a drug allergic reaction appears after using ephedrine nose drops.

Dosage and Rules for Using Ephedrine Nasal Drops

Ephedrine nose drops are available in two options, namely those with 0.5% and 1% levels. Here are the doses of ephedrine nose drops for all drug levels:

Condition: Nasal congestion

Adults and children >12 years: 1–2 drops in each nostril up to a maximum of 4 times daily. The maximum duration of treatment is 7 days.

How to Use Ephedrine Nasal Drops Properly

Follow the doctor 's advice and read the instructions listed on the drug packaging before using ephedrine nose drops. Do not increase or decrease your dose without consulting your doctor first.

Ephedrine nose drops are only used specifically for the nose. Do not take ephedrine nasal drops.

Before using ephedrine nose drops, wash your hands with soap and water. After that, blow your nose and clean your nose thoroughly so that the medicine can work better.

Fill the pipette with enough liquid medicine. Tilt your head and instill 1–2 drops of the medicine directly into each nostril. Try not to touch the tip of the pipette on the skin surface of the nose. After that, hold the head position for a few minutes so that the medicine does not come out of the nose.

Close the bottle of ephedrine nasal drops tightly. If you are using a separate pipette, clean the pipette with warm water and dry it with a clean cloth after each use.

Ephedrine nose drops are only used when there are complaints. You do not need to continue using this drug if the complaint has improved.

Store ephedrine nose drops in a cool place away from direct sunlight, and keep out of reach of children.

Interactions of Ephedrine Nasal Drops with Other Drugs

There are several drug interaction effects that can occur if ephedrine nose drops are used with other medicines, including:

• Increased risk of developing a hypertensive crisis which can be fatal if used with monoamine oxidase inhibitor ( MAOIs ) drugs, such as isocarboxazid or selegiline
• Increased risk of dangerous side effects from phenylephrine , pseudoephedrine, or methylphenidate
• Increased risk of arrhythmias when used with anesthetics, cardiac glycosides, quinidine or tricyclic antidepressants
• Increased risk of narrowing of the arteries when used with oxytocin or ergot alkaloid drugs, such as methylergometrine and ergotamine
• Increased risk of tremors, difficulty sleeping, palpitations, nausea and restlessness when used with theophylline or caffeine
• Decreased effectiveness of dexamethasone

Side Effects and Dangers of Ephedrine Nasal Drops

Using ephedrine nose drops has the potential to cause a number of side effects, including:

• Irritation in the nose, such as a burning or burning sensation in the nasal passages
• Nose feels dry and itchy
• Dry mouth and thirst
• Sneezes
• Nauseous
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia

Excessive or long-term use of ephedrine nose drops can cause nasal congestion symptoms to recur and get worse.

Check with your doctor if the side effects above don't go away or get worse. Immediately see a doctor if an allergic drug reaction or more serious side effects occur, such as:

• Severe headache
• Difficulty urinating
• Hallucinations
• Worried
• Nosebleed
• Hard to breathe
• Feeling of heat and redness in the neck and face
• Cold hands and feet
• Weak muscles
• Tremors