Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray Overdose

For people who take too much oxymetazoline nasal spray, overdose symptoms can include vomiting, severe drowsiness, and coma. This type of overdose may be more likely to cause serious problems if the medication was taken by mouth, rather than used as a nasal spray. If you believe you have taken too much oxymetazoline nasal spray, seek immediate medical care.

Oxymetazoline Drug Information

Is It Possible to Overdose on Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray?

Oxymetazoline nasal spray (Afrin^®, Nostrilla^®, Sudafed OM™, and many others) is a non-prescription nasal spray approved to treat nasal congestion due to various causes, such as allergies or the common cold. It is a decongestant medication. In some cases, taking too much oxymetazoline nasal spray could cause serious problems.

Effects of an Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray Overdose

An overdose of oxymetazoline nasal spray may cause a wide variety of symptoms, such as:

Severe drowsiness
Insomnia
Nausea and vomiting
Low blood pressure or high blood pressure
A slow heart rate
Cold body temperature
Pinpoint pupils
Sweating
Headaches
Nervousness
Shakiness
Decreased breathing
Seizures
An irregular heart rhythm
Coma.

An overdose may be more likely to cause serious problems if it was taken by mouth, which might happen accidentally with a young child or pet, rather than used as a nasal spray.

Treatment Options

Even if the overdose with oxymetazoline nasal spray was taken by mouth, it is not usually recommended to induce vomiting or pump the stomach, as the medication is absorbed too quickly.

Therefore, treatment (if necessary) will include supportive care, which consists of treating any of the symptoms that occur as a result of the overdose. For instance, medications may be administered to increase the heart rate and blood pressure, if necessary.

It is important that you seek medical attention immediately if you believe that you may have overdosed on oxymetazoline nasal spray.