What is Afrin 4 Hour Extra Moisturizing (Phenylephrine Nasal)?

Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Phenylephrine nasal is used to treat nasal congestion and sinus pressure caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu. Phenylephrine may be used to treat congestion of the tubes that drain fluid from your inner ears, called the eustachian (yoo-STAY-shun) tubes.

Phenylephrine nasal may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Afrin 4 Hour Extra Moisturizing (Phenylephrine Nasal)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to phenylephrine.

Do not use phenylephrine nasal if you have used linezolid (Zyvox) or procarbazine (Matulane), or if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you use phenylephrine before these other drugs have cleared from your body.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use phenylephrine nasal:

• heart disease, heart rhythm disorder
• high blood pressure
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• a thyroid disorder; or
• an enlarged prostate or urination problems

FDA pregnancy category C. Is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Before using phenylephrine nasal, tell doctor if you are pregnant.

Phenylephrine nasal may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.

Afrin 4 Hour Extra Moisturizing Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Afrin 4 Hour Extra Moisturizing (Phenylephrine Nasal)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using phenylephrine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• severe sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, redness or swelling in your nose, or other worsening nasal symptoms (may be a sign of overuse of phenylephrine nasal)
• severe stinging, burning, or irritation inside your nose
• severe dizziness, restless feeling, nervousness, or insomnia
• mood changes, unusual thoughts or behavior
• feeling like you might pass out
• slow, fast, or pounding heartbeat
• tremors or shaking; or
• urinating less than usual or not at all

Less serious side effects may include:

• temporary sneezing
• mild burning, dryness, cold feeling, or irritation inside your nose
• headache, dizziness, weakness
• sweating, nausea
• feeling excited or restless (especially in children); or
• mild sleep problems

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Afrin 4 Hour Extra Moisturizing Interactions

What other drugs affect Afrin 4 Hour Extra Moisturizing (Phenylephrine Nasal)?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• other decongestants
• medicine to treat diabetes
• medicines to treat high blood pressure such as reserpine, guanethidine (Ismelin), methyldopa (Aldomet), and others; or
• an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with phenylephrine nasal. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Afrin 4 Hour Extra Moisturizing (Phenylephrine Nasal)?

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or cough medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Phenylephrine is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you use certain products together you may accidentally get too much phenylephrine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains phenylephrine or another decongestant.

Afrin 4 Hour Extra Moisturizing Dosage

How should I take Afrin 4 Hour Extra Moisturizing (Phenylephrine Nasal)?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. Cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicine in very young children.

Phenylephrine nasal is usually used every 4 hours. Follow the directions on the medicine label. Never use more of this medicine than directed on the label or prescribed by your doctor. Using phenylephrine nasal too long can damage the lining of your nasal passages and lead to chronic nasal congestion.

Gently blow your nose to clear any mucus before using this medication.

To use the nasal spray, insert the tip of the spray bottle into your nostril, past the middle of the inside of your nose (the nasal septum). Gently press your other nostril closed with your finger.

Keep your head upright, and squeeze the bottle while breathing in deeply through your nose. Sniff quickly a few times to get the medicine deep into your nasal passages.

Repeat these steps to use the medicine in your other nostril if needed.

After each use, clean the tip of the spray bottle with a clean tissue or rinse it with hot water, making sure that no water gets into the medicine bottle. Keep the cap on the bottle when not in use.

To use the nasal drops, lie on your back with your head tilted back. Insert the correct number of drops and remain lying in this position for several minutes. Gently turn your head from side to side.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 days of using phenylephrine nasal, or if they get worse and you also have a fever.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have used phenylephrine nasal within the past few days.

Store phenylephrine nasal at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

To prevent the spread of infection, do not share this medication with anyone else.

What happens if I overdose on Afrin 4 Hour Extra Moisturizing (Phenylephrine Nasal)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include severe dizziness or drowsiness, slow heart rate, and fainting.

What happens if I miss a dose of Afrin 4 Hour Extra Moisturizing (Phenylephrine Nasal)?

Since phenylephrine nasal is usually used only when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and apply the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Edited from everydayhealth.com