Afrin for children: instructions for use

"Afrin" is a popular drug with a vasoconstrictor effect, which is prescribed for different types of rhinitis. Means with this name not only quickly alleviate the condition of the patient with rhinitis, but also cool the mucous membrane and moisturize it.

In the line of drugs "Afrin" there are several drugs. All of them are represented by sprays and contain as a main component Oxymetazoline at a concentration of 0.05% (each milliliter of such preparations contains it in a dose of 0.5 mg), but the composition of the inactive components of these agents is slightly different, which affects their therapeutic effect.

• In the red package is sold "Afrin", which the manufacturer calls "original." It is a gelatinous whitish liquid with a citrus scent, placed in a 15 ml plastic opaque bottle.
• "Afrin Extra" is in the green box. Such a thick white suspension has a characteristic smell of eucalyptus and menthol. It is also sold in plastic bottles of 15 ml, which have a dispensing spray device and a protective cap.
• The drug "Afrin moisturizing" box blue. Inside there is a bottle of plastic with a spray containing 15 ml of a white gel-like suspension smelling of citrus.

All types of medicine as an auxiliary component contain dihydrate edetate disodium, macrogol 1450, sodium hydrogen phosphate, benzalkonium chloride solution and sodium dihydrogen phosphate, as well as carmellose sodium, purified water, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone K-29 and benzyl alcohol.

In the "Original" and "Moisturizing" preparations there is also a lemon flavor. The composition of “Extra” additionally includes cyneol, polypropylene glycol, levomenthol and camphor. Another auxiliary component of Afrin Moisturizer is glycerin.

Oxymetazoline, which is in each type of "Afrin", is a stimulant of alpha-adrenoreceptors. Thanks to this mechanism of action, this substance constricts the vessels in the mucous membrane of the nasal passages, as well as in the paranasal sinuses and Eustachian tubes. This helps reduce swelling and release nasal breathing, which is important if the patient has an inflammatory process in the nasopharynx or an allergic reaction has developed.

Povidone, MCC and carmellose sodium present in Afrin, make the solution viscous, so after irrigation of the mucous membrane, the medicine stays on it longer, without running into the throat. This lengthens the duration of the therapeutic effect of the drug, which, by the way, is only local, since oxymetazoline practically does not pass through the mucous membrane and does not enter the blood plasma.

Due to the presence of camphor, cineol (derived from eucalyptus) and menthol in Afrin Extro, this spray additionally creates a cooling effect.

It is associated with the effect of these substances on the trigeminal nerve, in particular, on its cold receptors. The presence of "Afrin Moisturizing" glycerin contributes to the retention of moisture in the cells of the mucous membrane, so that it does not overdry, and irritation quickly passes.

Despite some differences, all types of "Afrin" are used for the same diseases:

• with rhinitis infectious nature;
• with a cold that is a symptom of an allergy;
• with hay fever;
• with sinusitis;
• with inflammation of the Eustachian tubes.

All sprays of the Afrin line are contraindicated for children under six years of age.

In the annotations to them it is indicated that such drugs can be used only at the age of 6 years and older.

Any of the drugs "Afrin" is prohibited in case of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the suspension. Such drugs are also not prescribed for atrophic rhinitis, and for diseases of the kidneys, thyroid gland, heart and blood vessels, glaucoma or diabetes, the treatment with Afrin should be monitored by a doctor.

A child can respond to "Afrin" with such negative phenomena as frequent sneezing, feeling dry in the nose, throat or mouth, burning sensation in the nose, headache, nausea and so on. If used too long, the spray can provoke addiction, redness of the mucous membrane and even its atrophy.

In order for Afrin to function effectively, you need to apply this medicine correctly:

• Start using the spray should be "calibration", which provides for a few clicks on the spray;
• the bottle should be shaken vigorously before each irrigation;
• since the drug acts 10-12 hours, the processing of the nasal passages is carried out with this interval;
• two or three presses are injected into each nostril;
• tilting the head for drug administration is not required;
• after irrigation, the spray head should be wiped with a paper napkin and closed with a cap;
• The maximum duration of Afrin treatment is 7 days.

If the child accidentally drinks the contents of the bottle or the spray is used in too large a dose, it will cause vomiting, tachycardia, shortness of breath, fever, drowsiness, and other negative symptoms.

Spray can not be used with any other vasoconstrictor drugs, as this will increase the risk of side effects.

If you use "Afrin" and at the same time give the child tricyclic antidepressants or MAO inhibitors, this will increase the patient's blood pressure. When used simultaneously with local anesthetics, Afrin lengthens the anesthetic effect.

"Afrin" is a group of OTC drugs, so any of the sprays can be freely purchased at most pharmacies. The average price of the “Original” drug is 200 rubles, the Spray “Ekstro” is 230–240 rubles, and the bottle of Afriana Moisturizing costs 250 rubles.

The shelf life of any type of "Afrin" is 2 years. Before it expires, the vial should be stored at a temperature below 25 degrees Celsius. The medicine must be kept in a place where a small child cannot reach it.

On the use of "Afrin" speak mostly positively, confirming the rapid and long therapeutic effect of all types of the drug. The drug is called easy to use and non-irritating mucous membrane.

Among its minuses usually mention a temporary symptomatic effect, the development of addiction and high cost.

The drug under this name differs from other sprays "Afrin" by its composition and effects on the mucous membrane. This tool based on sea water is presented in the form of a nasal spray designed to clean the nasopharynx from excess mucus, bacteria, allergens or viruses, as well as to moisturize the mucous membrane.

It is represented by a spray can with a spray nozzle, inside which there is 75 ml of isotonic solution (its salt content corresponds to 0.9%), and there are no chemical auxiliary substances.

The tool is prescribed for nasal congestion and runny nose to clean the nasal passages from contamination and secretions, including before using vasoconstrictor agents. "Clean Sea" can also be used for prophylaxis, since the drug is harmless, has no restrictions on the frequency of injections and duration of use.

Instead of sprays "Afrin", you can use other medicines in the nose that contain oxymetazoline, for example, "Nazivin", "Sialor rino", "Nazol" or "Noksprey".

Among them there are not only sprays, but also drops, including those with a lower concentration of the active ingredient, which allows them to be used in younger children. For example, 0.01% “Sialor Rino” can be dripped even to newborn babies. In addition, "Afrin" can be replaced with vasoconstrictor drugs with a different composition ("Sanorin"," Tizin ","Snoop"," Otrivin ","Nazol Baby"And so on), but only by doctor's prescription, because they have other active substances and have their own limitations in use.

On how to properly wash the children with a spout, the specialist in the video below.