For the symptomatic relief of nasal congestion, perennial and allergic rhinitis (including hay fever), sinusitis.

Adults and elderly (all indications): 2 or 3 drops in each nostril up to 3 times daily. Do not exceed 3 applications daily into each nostril.

The drops are suitable for children over 12 years of age. The recommended dose should not be exceeded, especially in children and the elderly.

Route of administration: Nasal use.

Known hypersensitivity to Otrivine

Patients with trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy or surgery exposing the dura mater

Narrow-angle glaucoma

Rhinitis sicca or atrophic rhinitis.

Otrivine 0.1% is contraindicated in children aged less than 12 years

People with phaeochromocytoma or prostatic hypertrophy or receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) treatment or who have received them in the last two weeks.

Patients are advised not to take decongestants for more than seven consecutive days. Prolonged or excessive use may cause rebound congestion and/or atrophy of the nasal mucosa.

Otrivine, like other preparations belonging to the same class of active substances, should be used only with caution in patients showing a strong reaction to sympathomimetic agents as evidenced by signs of insomnia, dizziness, tremor, cardiac arrhythmias or elevated blood pressure.

Caution is recommended in patients with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus or tri and tetra-cyclic antidepressant treatment (see Interactions).

Patients with long QT syndrome treated with xylometazoline may be at increased risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias.

Keep medicines out of the sight and reach of children

Information concerning excipients

Otrivine contains benzalkonium chloride. This may cause irritation of the nasal mucosa.

The concomitant use of xylometazoline with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or tri- and tetra-cyclic antidepressants, may cause an increase in blood pressure due to the cardiovascular effects of these substances (see Contraindications).

No foetal toxicity or fertility studies have been carried out in animals. In view of its potential systemic vasoconstrictor effect, it is advisable to take the precaution of not using Otrivine during pregnancy.

No evidence of any adverse effect on the breast-fed infant. However, it is not known if xylometazoline is excreted in breast milk, therefore caution should be exercised and Otrivine should be used only on the advice of a doctor whilst breastfeeding.

Otrivine has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

The adverse effects listed below are classified by system organ class and frequency according to the following convention: 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) or very rare (<1/10,000).

Other side effects include:

• A burning sensation in the nose and throat

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. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App store.

Symptoms and signs

Excessive administration of topical xylometazoline hydrochloride or accidental ingestion may cause severe dizziness, perspiration, severely lowered body temperature, headache, bradycardia, hypertension, respiratory depression, coma and convulsions. Hypertension may be followed by hypotension. Small children are more sensitive to toxicity than adults.

Treatment

Appropriate supportive measures should be initiated in all individuals suspected of an overdose, and urgent symptomatic treatment under medical supervision is indicated when warranted. This would include observation of the individual for several hours.

Otrivine Adult Nasal Drops is a sympathomimetic agent with marked alpha-adrenergic activity, and is intended for use in the nose. It constricts the nasal blood vessels, thereby decongesting the mucosa of the nose and neighbouring regions of the pharynx. This enables patients suffering from colds to breathe more easily through the nose. The effect of Otrivine Adult Nasal Drops begins within a few minutes and lasts for up to 10 hours. Otrivine Adult Nasal Drops is generally well tolerated and does not impair the function of ciliated epithelium.

In a double-blind, saline solution (Otrisal) controlled study in patients with common cold, the decongestant effect of Otrivine was significantly superior (p<0.0001) to Otrisal saline solution based on rhinomanometry measurement at 1 hour after administration of the study drugs.

Systemic absorption may occur following nasal application of xylometazoline hydrochloride solutions. It is not used systemically.

There are no findings in the preclinical testing which are of relevance to the prescriber.

Benzalkonium chloride

Disodium phosphate dodecahydrate (Sodium phosphate)

Disodium edetate

Sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate (Sodium acid phosphate)

Sodium chloride

Sorbitol

Hypromellose

Purified water

None.

Unopened: 36 months

After the container is opened for the first time: 28 days

Protect from heat.

Pack size: 10 ml

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children