Oxymetazoline: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage - Drugvu

ℹ️ Compiled from public regulatory records · Last regulator revision: March 27, 2026🚩 Report this page

Oxymetazoline

Active ingredient · 4 therapeutic classes

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US FDAGB MHRA

Drug class: Other Dermatologicals
Availability: Over-the-counter
Routes: Nasal
Markets covered: 2
Products on record: 5
FDA reports (12 mo): 561

D11AXOther Dermatologicals R01AASympathomimetics, Plain R01ABSympathomimetics, Combinations Excl. Corticosteroids S01GASympathomimetics Used As Decongestants

Overview

Oxymetazoline is an active pharmaceutical ingredient in the Other Dermatologicals group (D11AX). The information below is compiled per regulator from the product labels on record, with direct links to the original documents.

Regulatory status by market

Market	Regulator	Products	Last revision
US United States	FDA	3	November 21, 2024
GB United Kingdom	MHRA	2	March 27, 2026

USUnited States· FDA

3 products

Uses

USOfficial regulatory label· revised December 11, 2023[1]

Uses Temporarily relieves nasal congestion due to: common cold hay fever upper respiroty allergies temporarily relieves sinus congestion and pressure Shrinks swollen membranes so you can breathe more freely

How to take

US

GBUnited Kingdom· MHRA

2 products

Uses

GBOfficial regulatory label· revised March 27, 2026[2]

Oxymetazoline hydrochloride nasal spray is recommended for the relief of nasal congestion in such conditions as the common cold, catarrh and hayfever.

How to take

GB

Drug interactions

Known interactions involving Oxymetazoline. Select one for details. This list is informational and not a complete interaction checker.

Interaction data compiled from DDInter (academic, CC-BY). Severity classification only - this is not a complete interaction checker and not medical advice.

Sources & citations

[1]FDA DailyMed · 0c006b1c-8ab2-4b… · revised December 11, 2023 [PDF]
[2]MHRA (UK) · PL160280049 · revised March 27, 2026
[3]OpenFDA adverse-event reports (US), 12 months ending June 4, 2026.

Information on this page is compiled from public regulatory records. Drugvu is not affiliated with any regulator or pharmaceutical manufacturer. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Side effects & warnings

GBOfficial regulatory label· Adverse reactions· revised March 27, 2026[2]

The active ingredient is usually well tolerated in normal use.
For the frequency of occurrence of side effects, the following phrases are used:
Very common (≥ 1/10); Common (≥ 1/100 to <1/10); Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to <1/100); Rare (≥ 1/10,000 to <1/1,000); Very rare (<1/10,000); Unknown (cannot be estimated from the available data). g. contact dermatitis) (Dermatitis contact) Skin discolouration (as this product contains thiomersal) (Skin discolouration) Exanthema (Rash) Skin rashes (Rash) Itching (Pruritus) Unknown General disorders and administration site conditions Irritability (Irritability) Tolerance (Drug tolerance) with diminished effect (Drug effect decreased) Vasodilation in rebound congestion (Rebound effect) Weakness (Asthenia) Pain (Pain) Unknown Investigations Increased blood pressure (Blood pressure increased) Unknown Prolonged and/or heavy use of oxymetazoline may lead to reduced effect and/or rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa), cardiovascular effects and/or CNS effects.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. uk/yellowcard.

GBOfficial regulatory label· Warnings and precautions· revised March 27, 2026[2]

If symptoms persist or do not improve after 7 days, a doctor should be consulted. This medicinal product should be used for no more than 7 consecutive days to avoid rebound-effect and drug induced rhinitis (rhinitis medicamentosa). This medicinal product should be used with caution in patients with prostatic hypertrophy (as there is a risk of acute urinary retention) and the elderly.
Consult a doctor before using this medicine in case of: • Hepatic and renal disorders. g. amitriptyline, imipramine). • Use with caution in occlusive vascular disease. • If any of the following occur, using this medicine should be stopped: o Hallucinations o Restlessness o Sleep disturbances.
Keep away from eyes. Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children. This medicinal product contains benzalkonium chloride as a preservative which may cause swelling of the nasal mucosa, especially during long-term use. If such a reaction (persistent nasal congestion) is suspected, a product for nasal administration which contains no preservative should be used if possible.
If such products for nasal administration are not available without preservative, the use of another dosage form should be considered. Benzalkonium chloride may also cause bronchospasm. 4 mg benzalkonium chloride in each 1ml which is equivalent to 6 mg/15ml and 8mg/20ml.
Benzalkonium chloride may cause irritation or swelling inside the nose, especially if used for a long time. This medicinal product contains thiomersal (an organomercuric compound) as a preservative and therefore, it is possible that sensitisation reactions may occur.

This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.