Oximetazoline Ophthalmic: Application And Effects
Ophthalmic oxymetazoline is a sympathomimetic, direct-acting type drug α -agonist. It produces a vasoconstriction due to the direct action on the receptors α -2a of the vascular endothelium.
It is applied topically in the eye to cause local vasoconstriction of the blood vessels of the conjunctiva. It is characterized by a fast-release action that begins after a few minutes.
The effect has a relatively long duration: six hours or more. In addition, there is a low rate of congestion relapse.
Indications for ophthalmic oxymetazoline
This drug is indicated to provide relief for sore eyes. For this it is also used in the presence of mild irritations, due to various causes, such as allergy, eye fatigue or stinging agents, for example.
For adults and children over 6 years of age, the dosage is one or two drops every eight hours, to be injected into the conjunctival sac. For correct administration, you need to separate the eyelids and pour a drop inside the lower eyelid, while looking upwards.
It is advisable not to touch the dropper with the fingers or to allow it to come into contact with the eye. Keep your eye open and try not to blink for a few seconds. However, if at the end of the three days of treatment the symptoms persist, it is advisable to stop applying the drops and contact your doctor.
In what cases is ophthalmic oxymetazoline contraindicated?
Ophthalmic oxymetazoline is contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity to this active ingredient, to one of the excipients of the formulation or to other sympathomimetics.
It is also not indicated in patients with closed-angle glaucoma or in people who have a predisposition to suffer from it. Likewise, it is not indicated in hypertensive patients who are not followed by the doctor, with cardiovascular disease, hyperglycemia and hypothyroidism.
What precautions should be taken when taking ophthalmic oxyhematazoline?
Frequent or prolonged use may result in increased drug absorption, with possible general effects. Patients with any of the following conditions should be careful:
- Anyone suffering from angina pectoris or following a digoxin-based treatment.
- Patients taking antidepressants.
- Hypertensive treated with methyldopa.
- Patients taking phenothiazine.
- Diseases of the prostate.
- Severe inflammation of the eye.
- Children under 18.
Patients who abuse ophthalmic oximetazoline may develop addiction to the drug because it seeks to relieve their chronic congestion. Furthermore, if you wear contact lenses, you will need to remove them before using this agent and wait between 15 and 20 minutes.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the effects of oxymetazoline on the fetus have not yet been tested. We don’t even know if the drug passes into breast milk, so possible systemic absorption must be taken into account.
Side effects
Occasional side effects such as eye irritation and pain have been observed following the application of ophthalmic oximetazoline. However, excessive or very prolonged doses can cause systemic absorption and result in excessive stimulation of the central nervous system or paradoxical depression, cardiovascular collapse, shock and even coma.
Inhibition of central nervous system functions, such as sleepiness, decreased body temperature, hypotension, apnea, and loss of consciousness may also occur.
Interactions with other drugs
There are drug interactions when taking ophthalmic oximetazoline in situations such as:
- People who are taking or have taken tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors or methyldopa in the last two weeks.
- Patients who are undergoing treatment with phenothia or drugs to treat asthma, such as adrenergic bronchodilators.
- Parallel administration of another eye drops: in these cases you must wait at least 5 minutes between the administration of one and the other.
Finally, it must be said that the drug should not be used beyond 28 days from opening. On the other hand, to store it properly you must avoid exposure to light and temperatures above 28 degrees.
Conclusions on ophthalmic oxymetazoline
Ophthalmic oxymetazoline is used to calm the symptoms of red eyes. It is recommended to administer it for two or three days, at the end of which, if you do not already notice an improvement, you will need to consult a specialist.
