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" What is it used for?  Relieving a blocked nose (nasal congestion) associated with colds, flu, sinusitis and nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis) such as hayfever.    How does it work? Otrivine adult nasal spray contains the active ingredient xylometazoline, which is a type of medicine called a decongestant. When this medicine is sprayed 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 spray helps 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 spray has a relatively local effect in the nose and is unlikely to have side effects on other parts of the body.    How do I use it?  One spray should be used in each nostril one to three times a day as necessary.  The spray can be used for up to a week.    Warning!  This medicine is for use in the nose only and should not be taken by mouth.  Avoid getting the spray in the eyes.  You should not use this medicine continuously for longer than seven days. This is because the medicine can become less effective if used excessively. In addition, nasal congestion may come back (rebound congestion) when you stop using the medicine if you use it for too long.  For reasons of hygiene, do not use this nasal spray more than 28 days after first opening it. Each nasal spray should only be used by one person, to avoid spreading infection.   Not to be used in  Children under 12 years of age. People who have recently had neurosurgery. People who have had their pituitary gland surgically removed. People who have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant (eg phenelzine, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine or moclobemide) in the last 14 days.  This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.   Use with caution in  Heart disease. High blood pressure (hypertension). Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Diabetes. Narrow angle glaucoma.   Pregnancy and breastfeeding Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.  The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It is not recommended for use by pregnant women. Seek medical advice from your doctor. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor for advice before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.   Side effects 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 people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.  Irritation of the nasal lining (stinging, itching or soreness). Dryness of the nasal lining. Burning sensation in the nose or throat. Headache. Feeling sick.  The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine&amp;#039;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.   How can this medicine affect other medicines? If you are taking any other medicines, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine as well, to make sure that the combination is safe.  You should not use this medicine if you are currently taking a type of medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or have taken one of these medicines in the last 14 days. MAOIs include the antidepressants phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid and moclobemide, and the anti-Parkinson&amp;#039;s medicines selegiline and rasagiline. This is because the combination could cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis).    Other medicines containing the same active ingredient  Otrivine adult measured dose sinusitis spray. Otrivine adult menthol nasal spray. Otrivine adult nasal drops. Otrivine allergy relief nasal spray . Otrivine child nasal drops. Sudafed blocked nose spray. Sudafed mucus relief nasal spray.   Last updated 20.01.2014 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/ear-nose-and-throat/a7292/otrivine-adult-nasal-spray-xylometazoline/>