Otrivine child nasal drops contain the active ingredient xylometazoline, which is a type of medicine called a decongestant.
When this medicine is administered into the nose, the xylometazoline works by acting on alpha receptors that are found in the walls of blood vessels in the linings of the nasal passages and sinuses. It causes these blood vessels to contract and narrow, thereby decreasing blood flow into the linings of the nose and sinuses. This reduces swelling and the feeling of congestion. It also reduces the production of mucus, helping to relieve a blocked nose.
The nasal drops help relieve congestion in a few minutes and the effect of the medicine lasts for up to 10 hours.
As the medicine causes the blood vessels in the nose to contract, it minimises the amount of medicine that is absorbed into the bloodstream from the nose. This means that the nasal drops have a relatively local effect in the nose and are unlikely to have side effects on other parts of the body.
This medicine should not be used if your child is allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if your child has previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel your child has experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all children using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are already giving your child any other medicines, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving them this medicine as well, to make sure that the combination is safe.
Do not give your child other decongestant medicines in combination with this one.
You should not give your child this medicine if they are currently taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant (eg phenelzine, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine or moclobemide), or if they have taken one of these medicines in the last 14 days. This is because the combination could cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure.
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