OTRIVIN 0.1% NASAL DROPS ORIGINAL 10ML

Indications

Approved Uses

Temporary relief of nasal congestion associated with common cold and allergic rhinitis/hay fever; may also be used for congestion related to sinusitis.

Dosage & Administration

Dosing by Condition

Nasal congestion (adults and children ≥12 years): 2-3 drops of 0.1% into each nostril up to 3 times daily (about every 8-10 hours); do not use longer than 3-5 days.

Initial Dose

2-3 drops of 0.1% solution into each nostril

Maintenance Dose

2-3 drops of 0.1% solution in each nostril every 8-10 hours as needed.

Maximum Dose

Maximum: 1-2 drops in each nostril up to 3 times daily (do not exceed 3 applications per nostril per day) and limit use to 3-5 days.

Children's Dosage

Children 2-12 years: 1-2 drops of 0.05% solution into each nostril up to 3 times daily (maximum 3-5 days). Not recommended under 2 years of age.

Dose Adjustment Notes

Limit use to a maximum of 3-5 consecutive days to reduce risk of rebound congestion; use 0.05% for children and avoid 0.1% in children under 12 years.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Local nasal irritation (burning/stinging), dryness, sneezing; headache can occur. Rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa) may occur with prolonged or excessive use.

Side Effect Frequency

Common: local nasal irritation (burning/stinging), dryness, sneezing; Uncommon/Rare: systemic sympathomimetic effects such as palpitations/tachycardia, increased blood pressure, headache, insomnia; Rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa) with prolonged or excessive use.

Safety & Warnings

Contraindications

Contraindicated in: hypersensitivity to xylometazoline or excipients; atrophic rhinitis/rhinitis sicca; narrow-angle (angle-closure) glaucoma; concomitant use or use within 14 days of MAO inhibitors; after trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy or other surgery exposing the dura mater.

Warnings & Precautions

Do not use longer than 3-5 days; use caution in hypertension/cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, pheochromocytoma, and prostatic hypertrophy; avoid eye contact; do not share the dropper to reduce cross-infection; seek advice if symptoms persist or worsen.

Age Restriction

0.1% xylometazoline nasal drops are intended for adults and adolescents ≥12 years; do not use in children <12 years (use lower strengths/paediatric products instead).

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions

Clinically relevant interactions: MAO inhibitors (and within 14 days) and tricyclic/tetracyclic antidepressants (potentiate pressor/sympathomimetic effects); other sympathomimetics (additive cardiovascular effects).

Interaction Severity

MAJOR: Concomitant or recent (within 14 days) MAO inhibitors-risk of hypertensive crisis (avoid/contraindicated). MODERATE: Tricyclic antidepressants and other drugs that increase sympathetic tone-may potentiate pressor effects; caution in patients on antihypertensives due to possible BP effects.

Food Interaction

No restriction

Special Populations

Children

Children 2-12 years: 1-2 drops of 0.05% solution into each nostril up to 3 times daily (maximum 3-5 days). Not recommended under 2 years of age.

Elderly

Standard adult dosing; use with caution in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease or prostatic hypertrophy

Kidney Impairment

No adjustment needed

Storage & Patient Advice

Stopping the Medicine

Do not use for more than 3-5 consecutive days; stop when no longer needed and seek medical advice if symptoms persist-if rebound congestion develops after prolonged use, discontinue and manage with supportive measures (e.g., saline) and clinician review.

Overdose

Overdose/accidental ingestion may cause CNS depression (especially in children: somnolence, coma), bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia, respiratory depression, or alternatively CNS stimulation with hypertension/tachycardia; management is immediate medical assessment with symptomatic/supportive care (airway/breathing/circulation), and decontamination only if clinically indicated per toxicology guidance.

Patient Counseling

Use the minimum effective dose and do not use more than 3 times daily or longer than 3-5 days (rebound congestion risk). 0.1% is for adults and children ≥12 years; use paediatric strength for younger children. Do not share the bottle; avoid contaminating the dropper tip. Seek medical advice if symptoms persist/worsen or if you have hypertension, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, glaucoma, or are taking MAOIs/TCAs.

Monitoring Requirements

No routine monitoring

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Alpha-adrenergic agonist causing vasoconstriction of nasal mucosal blood vessels, reducing edema and nasal congestion.

Duration of Effect

Up to about 8-10 hours.

Half-Life

Not well-established/variable after intranasal use; no reliable single elimination half-life is consistently stated in major product information-clinical duration of action is typically ~8-10 hours.

Bioavailability

Minimal systemic absorption; predominantly local effect with low systemic bioavailability when used intranasally as directed.

Product Information

Available Dosage Forms

Nasal drops, solution; nasal spray, solution.

Composition per Dose

Each 1 ml: xylometazoline hydrochloride 1 mg (0.1%)

Generic Availability

Yes

OTC Alternatives

Saline nasal drops/sprays; oxymetazoline nasal spray; short-term oral decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine) where appropriate and not contraindicated.

Symptom Target

Congestion

Sedating

No

Reviewed by Al Mujtama Pharmacy Medical Review Team. Last reviewed 23-07-2026