Ophthalmic Oxymetazoline: What Is It And What Are The Effects

Ophthalmic oxymetazoline is a sympathomimetic, direct-acting drug with α-agonist activity. In short, it produces vasoconstriction by the direct action of the drug on the α-2a receptors of the vascular endothelium.

It is given topically into the eye to cause local vasoconstriction in the conjunctival blood vessels. It is characterized by a quick onset of action that starts within a few minutes.

However,  the effect has a relatively long duration of six hours or more. Furthermore, it has a low tendency to the concertina effect of congestion.

Indications of Ophthalmic Oxymetazoline

This medication  is indicated for the symptomatic relief of red eye. That’s why it is used when there are mild eye irritations, caused by allergies, eye fatigue or irritating factors, among others.

On the other hand, in adults and children over 6 years of age,  the dosage is one or two drops every eight hours  in the affected conjunctival sac. For correct administration, you should separate the eyelids and drop a drop into the lower eyelid while looking up.

It is advised not to touch the eye or fingers with the dripper. Also, keep your eye open and don’t blink for a few seconds. However, if after three days of treatment, symptoms persist, you should stop using the drops and seek medical attention.

When is oxymetazoline contraindicated?

Oxymetazoline  is contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity to this active ingredient,  to any of the formulation’s excipients or to other sympathomimetics.

It is also not indicated for patients with angle-closure glaucoma  or for people who are predisposed to have it. Likewise, it is not indicated for uncontrolled hypertensive patients with cardiovascular disease, hyperglycemia, as well as hypothyroidism.

What precautions to take while using oxymetazoline?

Frequent or prolonged use  can lead to greater drug absorption, with possible systemic effects. Therefore, special care must be taken with patients who fall into any of the following situations:

• Those who suffer from angina pectoris or who are being treated with digoxin.
• Patients being treated with antidepressants
• Hypertensive people taking methyldopa.
• Patients taking phenothiazine.
• Prostate Diseases.
• Severe eye inflammation.
• Under 18 years old.

In addition, patients who abuse ophthalmic oxymetazoline may become dependent on the drug to relieve their chronic congestion. On the other hand, if you use contact lenses, you should remove them before using this compound and wait 15 or 20 minutes.

In situations of pregnancy and lactation, it is not  known whether oxymetazoline can cause fetal harm. Furthermore, there is also no information on whether the substance is secreted together with breast milk, so it is good to consider possible systemic absorption.

Secundary effects

With the use of oxymetazoline, occasional adverse effects such as eye irritation and pain have been reported . However, excessive or too frequent doses can produce systemic absorption and generate overstimulation of the central nervous system or paradoxical depression, cardiovascular collapse, shock and even coma.

Furthermore, it can cause inhibition of central nervous system functions, such  as drowsiness, reduced body temperature, hypotension, apnea and loss of consciousness.

Pharmacological Interactions

There are drug interactions when ophthalmic oxymetazoline is used in situations such as:

• People who are taking, or have taken during the past two weeks, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors or methyldopa.
• Patients who are being treated with phenothiazine  or medications to treat asthma, such as adrenergic bronchodilators.
• When using another eyedrop at the same time: in these cases, it is necessary to wait at least 5 minutes between the two administrations.

It is worth mentioning that once opened , you must not use it after 28 days.