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DrugsLevel 4 LocalisationS2OPDEML

Oxymetazoline

Alpha-2 agonistDecongestant

Indications

Registered South African indications:

  • Allergic inflammation of the eyes

Cautions

Contraindications

  • Children <6 years

Cautions

  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding
  • Closed angle glaucoma
  • Prolonged use
  • Ocular surface disease
  • Concomitant use of soft contact lenses

Adult dosage

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: opd

Dosages below include:

  • South African registered indications and dosages

South African registered indications and dosages

Allergic inflammation of the eyes

  • Ophthalmic (opd): 1-2 drops into affected eye(s), 12hrly when required

Paediatric dosage

Paed. forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: opd

Paed. dosages below include:

  • South African registered indications and dosages

South African registered indications and dosages

Allergic inflammation of the eyes

Younger than 6 years

  • Contraindicated

Older than 6 years

  • See adult dosage

Special populations

Pregnancy

  • Caution
  • For oxymetazoline no clinical data on exposed pregnancies are available. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, embryonal/foetal development, parturition or postnatal development. Caution should be exercised during pregnancy as oxymetazoline may be systemically absorbed

Breastfeeding

  • Caution
  • It is unknown whether oxymetazoline hydrochloride is excreted into breast milk. The recommended dose should not be exceeded because overdosing can reduce milk production. Caution should be exercised during breastfeeding as oxymetazoline may be systemically absorbed

Renal Impairment

Hepatic Impairment

Elderly

Porphyria Information

Drugs in Sport

  •  Permitted - No warnings

Adverse reactions

Central Nervous System Disorders

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Insomnia
  • Nervousness
  • Tremor
  • Anxiety

Cardiovascular Disorders

  • Palpitations
  • Hypertension
  • Tachycardia

Gastrointestinal Disorders

  • Nausea

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

  • Contact dermatitis

Sensory Disorders

  • Eye irritation
  • Eye discomfort
  • Eye redness
  • Rebound eye congestion
  • Disruption of corneal epithelium

Interactions

  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Monitoring

None routine. Specific cases may require

  • Ophthalmic examination

Mechanism of action

Oxymetazoline is an alpha-adrenergic agonist that acts on nasal and ophthalmic vasculature to produce vasoconstriction thus relieving symptoms of congestion.

Dosage forms

  • Eye drops

Formulation

Eye drops (per ml) 0.25mg

  • Allergex (Adcock)

References

1. SmPC: Oxymetazoline hydrochloride nasal spray, Procter & Gamble (Health & Beauty Care) Ltd; Last updated on eMC: 16 Jan 2018; Downloaded online 31 Aug 2018 [https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6148/smpc] 2. SAMF_pg 558 3. http://home.intekom.com/pharm/merckp/iliadin.html 0.05mg 4. http://home.intekom.com/pharm/merckp/iliad25.html 0.25mg 5. Adcock Ingram_Allergex eye_PI google drive_29 May 2000 6. http://home.intekom.com/pharm/sad-otc/drist-sp.html dristan 7. http://home.intekom.com/pharm/allergan/oxylin.html oxylin 8. http://home.intekom.com/pharm/procter/vick-dns.html Vicks 9. https://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/oxymetazoline-nasal.html 10. U2D: Oxymetazoline (nasal): Drug information, UpToDate; Downloaded online 31 Aug 2018 [https://www.uptodate.com/contents/oxymetazoline-nasal-drug-information] 11. U2D: Oxymetazoline (ophthalmic): Drug information, UpToDate; Downloaded online 31 Aug 2018 [https://www.uptodate.com/contents/oxymetazoline-ophthalmic-drug-information] 12. NAPOS The Drug Database for Acute Porphyria: R01AA05 Oxymetazoline; Accessed online 31 Aug 2018 [http://www.drugs-porphyria.org/languages/UnitedKingdom/s3.php?atc_code=R01AA05&l=gbr] pnp 13. NAPOS The Drug Database for Acute Porphyria: S01GA04 Oxymetazoline; Accessed online 31 Aug 2018 [http://www.drugs-porphyria.org/languages/UnitedKingdom/s3.php?atc_code=S01GA04&l=gbr] 14. South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport: Allergex Eye Drops/Iliadin Drops, Spray, Paed Drops, Paed Spray; Accessed online [http://www.drugfreesport.org.za/online-medication-check/] 15. SmPC: Vicks Sinex Soother, Procter & Gamble (Health & Beauty Care) Ltd: Last updated on eMC: 08 May 2018; Downloaded online 10 Dec 2018 https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6150/smpc 16. Clinical Pharmacologist - Dr. M Irhuma. [https://trello.com/c/9LAgsEp8/157-oxymetazoline-opd-renal-and-hepatic-impairment-information] 17. Afritox: Oxymetazolibne; Accessed online 29 May 2019 [https://www.afritox.co.za/hp/SingleToxin/SingleToxin.aspx?SingleToxinID=1196] 18. PI: Allergex eye drops; Adcock Ingram; Date of first authorisation: 29 May 2000; Accessed online: 02 March 2023 [https://medsinfoportal.sahpra.org.za/pi/7fd18c4edd69d698264984b880cf8105.pdf]

Brands & products

32 products · stale NAPPI snapshot · refreshed 5/29/2026 · 158 days old

suspensionGeneric· 2 products

from R0.38/unit
ProductStrengthPackSchedSEPUnitDisp feeNAPPI
Drinasal S30 mg/ml100S6R38.35R0.38R25.15700455006
Drinasal S30 mg/ml50S6R28.27R0.57R21.66700455003

sprayGeneric· 19 products

from R4.87/unit
ProductStrengthPackSchedSEPUnitDisp feeNAPPI
Nazene Z 20ml- mg/ml20S1R97.43R4.87R45.59746126018
Oxyspray moisturising 23ml- mg/ml20S1R117.83R5.89R52.65723748001
Iliadin 20ml- g/1000ml20S1R131.57R6.58R57.40732303001
Dristan long lasting vapour (metered pum- mg/g15S1R127.71R8.51R56.07783870019
Dristan long lasting vapour (squeeze spr- mg/g15S1R127.73R8.52R56.08721387004
Drixine 0.05% Adult- mg/ml20S1R180.23R9.01R74.24721976001
Drinasal (was Merck-p-nasal) metered 10m- mg/ml10S1R112.58R11.26R50.83702620003
Oxymist 0,025- mg/ml10S1R116.47R11.65R52.183001287001
Oxymist 0,05- mg/ml10S1R116.47R11.65R52.183001288001
Sinarest 0,05 %0.5 mg/ml10S1R119.00R11.90R53.063009711001
Sinarest 0,025 %0.25 mg/ml10S1R119.00R11.90R53.063009710001
Nazene adult nasal metered spray 10ml- mg/1ml10S1R121.55R12.15R53.94715296001
Zadin 10ml- mg/ml10S1R125.06R12.51R55.15720644001
Zadin 10ml- mg/ml10S1R131.16R13.12R57.26720643001
Iliadin Aloe- mg/ml15S1R211.55R14.10R83.413006482001
Drixine 0.05% Adult- mg/ml10S1R144.86R14.49R62.00814199003
Iliadin 10ml- mg/ml10S1R160.08R16.01R67.27732265002
Iliadin kids 10ml- mg/ml10S1R172.46R17.25R71.55732338018
Drixine 0.025% Paediatric- mg/ml1S1R100.09R100.09R46.51721484018

dropsGeneric· 2 products

from R5.00/unit
ProductStrengthPackSchedSEPUnitDisp feeNAPPI
Allergex 15ml- mg/ml15S2R75.06R5.00R37.85874922003
Oxylin 15ml- mg/ml15S2R153.19R10.21R64.88751952001

NssGeneric· 1 product

from R5.23/unit
ProductStrengthPackSchedSEPUnitDisp feeNAPPI
Drixine 0.05% Adult- mg/ml20S1R104.51R5.23R48.04721441009

NodGeneric· 8 products

from R8.73/unit
ProductStrengthPackSchedSEPUnitDisp feeNAPPI
Drinasal paediatric 10ml- mg/ml10S1R87.34R8.73R42.10702618003
Zadin 10ml- mg/ml10S1R99.13R9.91R46.18720641001
Zadin 10ml- mg/ml10S1R99.14R9.91R46.18720642001
Iliadin 10ml- mg/ml10S1R124.40R12.44R54.92732257018
Iliadin kids 10ml- mg/ml10S1R133.04R13.30R57.91732281008
Iliadin baby 5ml- mg/ml5S1R109.51R21.90R49.77708510001
Drixine 0.025% Paediatric- mg/ml1S1R83.61R83.61R40.81721425003
Drixine 0.05% Adult- mg/ml1S1R89.06R89.06R42.70721433006
Trade names (2)
  • Allergex Eye Drop
  • Oxylin liquifilm

Medical aid coverage

data not yet integrated
Discovery Health
not yet integrated
  • Comprehensive Series—
  • Executive Plan—
  • KeyCare Series—
  • Priority Series—
  • Saver Series—

Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.

Bonitas Medical Fund
not yet integrated
  • BonClassic—
  • BonComprehensive—
  • BonEssential—
  • BonFit Select—
  • BonSave—
  • BonStart—

Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.

GEMS — Government Employees Medical Scheme
not yet integrated
  • Beryl—
  • Emerald—
  • Onyx—
  • Ruby—
  • Sapphire—
  • Tanzanite One—

Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.

POLMED — Police Medical Aid Scheme
not yet integrated
  • Aquarium Option—
  • Efficiency Option—
  • Marine Option—

Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.

Interacts with 2 known drugs

Check against other drugs →

Cited in 12 documents

NeoHealth® ID 14638 · updated 3/8/2023