Among the huge number of the most different methods the fight against a runny nose and nasal congestion, drops are especially popular. Such drugs are the most different types in its effect on the mucous membrane. And the selection of the right tool can only be carried out by a specialist after an examination. One of the prescribed types of nasal drops is a vasodilator. Let's see what they are for, how they work and when they are applied.
Vasodilator nasal drops must be used very carefully, observe the dosage prescribed by the doctor or indicated in the instructions and the dosage regimen for the drug, as they can be addictive.
Most often, such medications are used in the symptomatic treatment of congestion and runny nose. You should not use such drops for allergies, since the components that make up the composition increase the sensitivity of the mucous membrane and contribute to the intensification of symptoms in this case.
Typically, vasodilator drops are used to:
- removal of puffiness in diseases of the ENT organs, for example, acute otitis media;
- stopping nosebleeds of various kinds;
- effective flushing of the nasal passages and elimination of mucus, dried crusts from them;
- symptomatic treatment of nasal congestion.
The main purpose of such medicines is to improve the condition of the vessels in the nasal cavity and normalize their functioning. In some cases, it is necessary to dilate the vessels, and not to constrict due to certain reasons for the occurrence of a cold.
It is from the right choice the drug will depend on how comfortable or difficult it will be for a person to breathe through his nose. As with the expansion of blood vessels, and with their narrowing, tissue edema begins to appear, blocking the normal release of mucus and air access. Only a specialist can identify the nature and cause of this phenomenon, therefore it is not recommended to use vasodilating drops uncontrollably.
Most often, vasodilating drops are used in combination therapy with other medicines... And here the choice of a treatment regimen depends on the cause of the congestion. For example, with rhinitis due to an allergic reaction, vasodilating drops are prescribed in combination with antihistamines and sorbents. Also, together with them, agents can be used to relieve puffiness, destroy bacteria and viruses.
Without eliminating the cause of the onset of the common cold, vasodilating nasal drops will only temporarily improve the patient's condition and temporarily relieve the symptoms of the disease. If you do not take timely measures, then in addition to nasal congestion and breathing difficulties, other more serious diseases can occur, for example, sinusitis, inflammation in the sinuses of the nose and even brain damage.
List of drugs for adults
There are many vasodilator drops for adults. Among the most commonly prescribed by specialists, it is worth noting the following drugs:
- Galazolin;
- Tizine;
- Rinofluimucil;
- Pinasol;
- Rhinomaris;
- Aqualor;
- Nosolin;
- Nosal;
- Rinazoline;
- Isofra;
- Polydex;
- Knoxprey;
- Otrivin.
Usually, all these drugs are used for pronounced swelling and prolonged difficulty in normal breathing. They must be used very carefully, no more than 2-3 times a day for 3-7 days. Longer use can lead to addiction and side effects.
Vasodilator drugs for children
Vasodilators for children are rarely prescribed. Usually in childhood simple drop rinses with saline and the use of homeopathic remedies.
Only in some cases, as prescribed by a doctor, after an examination, it is possible to use vasodilating drops.
Moreover, nasal sprays, the names of which will prompt you in any pharmacy, are not recommended to be used in childhood, since due to the incomplete formation and anatomical structure nasal passages in childhood, particles of the drug can enter the ear and cause inflammation.
- Aqualor;
- Salin;
- Knoxprey Baby;
- Nazol Baby and Nazol Kids;
- Protagol;
- Vibrocil;
- Pinasol (not drip until 3 years of age).
In childhood, it is worth paying close attention to the problem of nasal congestion and runny nose, since these conditions become a huge test for the child. Due to such difficulties, the smallest ones can refuse to eat, stop sleeping normally, and will constantly be capricious and nervous.
It is also worth remembering that in childhood, vasodilating nasal drops should be instilled several times a day (usually 2-3) until the runny nose passes. Nevertheless, if the necessary therapeutic effect from the use of the drug has not come, after 5-7 days you need to consult a doctor again. Usually, in especially serious and long-term cases that do not pass, a specialist prescribes the use of complex drops, which are prepared by a pharmacist or by yourself at home according to the instructions issued by the doctor with strict adherence to the dosage of the drugs.
Important! During pregnancy and lactation, it is quite difficult to choose vasodilating nasal drops, since many of them are contraindicated at this time.
If you need to treat a cold, you need to seek advice and the selection of a drug from a specialist. In case of urgent need, you can use drops for children, but first read the instructions for the drug.
Possible side effects
With too frequent or prolonged use of vasodilating nasal drops, as well as with their individual intolerance, complications and negative consequences may occur:
- headache and dizziness;
- the overflow of the acute phase of the disease into the chronic;
- allergic reactions;
- decreased sense of smell and loss of sensitivity to odors;
- the spread of the disease to the sinuses, including the development of inflammatory processes in them;
- the formation of dry crusts and a feeling of dryness in the nose;
- decreased performance and increased fatigue;
- irritation and aggressiveness;
- temporary decrease in vision;
- possible decrease in concentration and reaction speed.
As you can see, although vasodilators for the nose can be purchased relatively cheaply at any pharmacy without the need to present a doctor's prescription, you should not use them without consulting a specialist. After all, each drug has its own characteristics of use, contraindications and indications, can cause a deterioration in the health of both an adult and a child.
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Before using vasodilating nasal drops for children, the list of approved drugs should be checked with the pediatrician. If you ask pharmacists what vasodilating nasal drops are, the list of drugs can be endless. One type of such remedies are vasodilating nasal drops. From this article, you will learn the trade names of these drugs.
To treat a runny nose, doctors usually prescribe topical medications. Very often, during a runny nose, a person is faced with such manifestations as the inability to breathe in and out freely, itching in the nose and sneezing. Also, doctors often prescribe such compounds as "Nazivin", "Vicks Active", "Nazol", "Nesopin" and others.
The action of the listed funds lies in the fact that they act on the vessels, expanding or narrowing them if necessary. One of the most popular medicines in recent years is "Vibrocil". This component, according to doctors and manufacturers, is much safer than those described in the previous paragraph.
Another drug containing phenylephrine is Polydexa. This remedy not only affects blood vessels, but also has an antibacterial effect. The disadvantage of these vasodilator drugs is that they are quite expensive. Until the child reaches the age of two, medications are prescribed in the form of drops. Such vasodilator drugs should not be used for more than five days in a row. Otherwise, complications such as dryness, burning, mucosal atrophy, and so on may occur. Also, doctors forbid to exceed the frequency of use of drugs.
These drugs contain corticosteroids. With severe nasal congestion, the drugs that become "first aid" for the patient are vasodilator or vasoconstrictor nasal drugs. They quickly relieve swelling of the mucous membrane, improve breathing through the nose and allow mucous discharge to be blown out.
Antibacterial drugs
What are the most popular nasal medications? The purpose of vasodilator drugs is to normalize the condition of the blood vessels in the nasal cavity. Most often, vasodilator drops are prescribed in combination with other medicines.
All these and other names of drugs are quite common, because they are prescribed by doctors for severe nasal congestion and difficulty breathing. Despite the fact that vasodilators and vasoconstrictor drops are considered harmless, it is still important to know that they can harm human health if used improperly.
There are also preparations that contain a complex of active ingredients. For example, Rinofluimucil contains both a vasodilating active substance and a mucolytic. It is in childhood that drugs are so necessary to improve nasal breathing.
If an adult copes with such symptoms easily enough, then for children a cold nasal congestion is the biggest test. Not all parents will agree to bury vasodilators in their children’s nose, because they have heard what negative effects they can have on the baby’s body. Are nasal vasodilator drops really so dangerous for children? Not really. There are drugs in pharmacies that are designed specifically for children. For example, a solution of Naphthyzin in a children's dosage contains only 0.05% of the active ingredient.
When using vasoconstrictor drops, it is necessary to accurately observe the dosage and duration of treatment. And when air ventilation is restored, a natural process of drying out the secreted mucus occurs in the nasal cavity, and the runny nose gradually begins to pass. Removing swelling in the nose prevents mucus from accumulating in the sinuses, which could cause sinusitis or sinusitis. As a result, the nasal passages expand, and there is an improvement in nasal breathing.
The possibility of using local vasoconstrictor drugs in the smallest patients is important. As a rule, to combat a cold, they turn to vasoconstrictor drugs for the nose, they are also called nasal decongestants. These drops constrict the vessels inside the nose, which leads to a decrease in the swelling of the mucous membrane and improves nasal breathing. If we talk about the price, then to cheap and effective drops in the nose can be attributed to Naphtizin, Galazolin and Xilen nose drops.
If you want to narrow the vessels in the nose without using drops, you should contact folk remedies... Like vasoconstrictor drops, moisturizers do not cure a runny nose, but only relieve symptoms. The duration of action of such drops is short, but at the same time they are natural and have no side effects.
These are drugs of a combined nature. Representatives of such combination drugs are Collargol and Protargol (Composition). When viral disease the best means from a runny nose and nasal congestion in adults, Interferon and Grippferon are considered.
Nasal drops for the common cold: the names of popular drugs
Nasal drops with Interferon must be diluted with boiled water before use, Grippferon is sold ready-made. The most common vaccines in the form of drops are Poludan and Derinat spray. With a severe cold, they do not work, but they are good as prevention and at the initial stage of the disease. The advantage of homeopathic remedies is that they do not cause side effects and have no contraindications, although their effectiveness is slightly lower than vasoconstrictor drops.
When a runny nose is running, there is a risk of getting complications in the form of sinusitis. Usually, the best drops from sinusitis are drops based on antibiotics - antibacterial drugs... They do not affect the tone of blood vessels (as do vasoconstrictor drugs). It contains phenylephrine, a vasoconstrictor. Already on the third day of using this drug, you will get rid of the headache, and nasal discharge will not be so abundant.
In addition to Polydexa, Bioparox and Isofra are popular antibacterial agents in the treatment of sinusitis. It is quite expensive, but at the same time a high-quality drug. It is completely natural, is not absorbed into the bloodstream and does not have a negative effect on the body. A child - for a child - does not need to throw his head back, does not get numb in his mouth, everything is quick and painless. Is considered vasoconstrictor, BUT! He also heals! And the mucous membrane does not dry out.
Now you know what vasodilator drugs are for the nose. Remember that congestion, difficulty breathing, and swelling are just symptoms. Doctors recommend using the drug only in the dosage prescribed. That is, it is worth using vasodilators for nasal congestion in cases where breathing through your nose is very difficult or almost impossible. But the only drug in this group that treats the common cold is Pinosol.
Perhaps the most common remedies for the common cold are nasal drops. They are convenient to use, in addition, they fall precisely on the nasal mucosa and act on the site of inflammation and edema. It is convenient to dispense the medicine with a pipette, and the drug getting into the middle ear is practically excluded. That is why, despite the large number of sprays, nasal drops are still popular, especially when treating children.
At the first symptoms of a runny nose, the question always arises of how to choose the right nasal drops. There are such types:
- vasoconstrictor and vasodilator;
- moisturizing;
- antiviral;
- homeopathic and phytodrops;
- hormonal;
- antibacterial or complex, combined with an antibacterial component.
Main active ingredients in vasoconstrictor drugs
More often than others, vasoconstrictor nasal drops, which are called decongestants, are chosen to fight the common cold. Such drugs narrow the vessels on the mucous membrane, which quickly relieves swelling and improves nasal breathing. Such nasal drops are divided into types depending on the active substance:
- phenylephrine;
- xylometazoline;
- oxymetazoline;
- naphazoline.
They are often used as a panacea in the treatment of adults and children, but this opinion is wrong. They don't really cure, and if you drip your nose with them, you can relieve the symptoms. Moreover, their use has a short-term effect, because people ignore the restrictions in the instructions and use drugs uncontrollably.
It is strictly forbidden to do this, because prolonged use causes the mucous membrane to become addictive to the effects of such a substance. Soon it stops working properly and dependence on instillation develops, and in an ever-increasing dosage.
Vasoconstrictor drugs are not recommended for a child or an adult to be instilled for more than a week, moreover, the use for children is strictly agreed with the pediatrician.
Means for moisturizing the mucous membrane
Moisturizing drops, in contrast to vasoconstrictor, are harmless and are aimed at simultaneously moisturizing the inflamed mucosa or cleansing the nasal cavity. This is not a medicine, but seawater, purified for medicinal use.
The main function of seawater is to relieve the discharge of mucus during a cold. It is worth noting that this is not a metaphor, they really are sterilized sea water or water from real mineral springs.
Since the composition contains only salt, minerals that sea water is rich in, the dosage of the drug is not limited and can be used freely for children and adults.
But still, when rinsing the nasal cavity with such water, one cannot overdo it, doing the procedure no more than a couple of times a day. If the number of washes is excessive, water will wash out the natural protective layer of mucus, which will inevitably lead to dryness and disrupt the normal functioning of the mucous membrane. 
You can make such drops at home using sea \u200b\u200bsalt... To do this, add half a teaspoon of pure sea salt without additives to a glass of purified water. It turns out a wonderful analogue of drops, only more affordable. They need to be buried in the same way, you can even use an infant for hygiene procedures.
Preparations with adrenaline
Vasodilator drops, like vasoconstrictor, can be addictive, so you need to drip them with caution. Due to the adrenaline in the composition, they cannot be buried when allergic rhinitisas it will increase the sensitivity of the mucous membrane. They are usually prescribed for the treatment of such diseases:
- regular nasal congestion;
- swelling of the mucous membrane with inflammation of the middle ear;
- before the procedure for washing the nasal cavity;
- with bleeding from the nose.
For the treatment of children, it is necessary to use a reduced dosage of drugs, and some of them are even contraindicated.
Herbal medicine in treatment
Phytopreparations are those medicines that are made exclusively from herbal ingredients. They are safe and have good anti-inflammatory properties.
Separately, it is worth highlighting homeopathic drops. They do an excellent job with swelling of the nasal mucosa, in addition, they relieve inflammation and have an antiviral effect.
The advantage of such drops is the absence of side effects and contraindications. This is possible because homeopathic drops are of plant origin, they have a mild effect on the body.
Treatment with these drugs is quite long and should be performed according to a strict scheme. Undoubtedly, homeopathic drops will not relieve congestion, like narrowing drops, but they are safe and aimed at treating the source of the disease.
Hormone-based products
Hormonal drops relieve the symptoms of a cold and relieve perfectly inflammatory process... They inhibit the production of substances that stimulate the development of inflammation in the mucous membrane.
Hormonal drops are especially effective for allergic rhinitis, perfectly stop manifestations caused by an allergen. However, the effect of such drugs is temporary; it is impossible to get rid of the very cause of the disease with their help.
Poor bioavailability when used topically makes hormone drops relatively safe for both adults and children, but nevertheless, they are almost never prescribed to a child.
But you should not be afraid of the names of such drugs as hormonal ones. Despite the fact that the active substance of the drops are hormones, they do not enter the bloodstream and do not change the hormonal balance of the body.
Therefore, if hormonal agents are used correctly, this guarantees that the active components will not get further to the mucous membrane.
Antibacterial drugs
Antibacterial due to the antibiotic that is included in the composition. They are allowed to drip not for all rhinitis, but only for sinusitis or sinusitis. 
It is believed that antibacterial drops have a detrimental effect on the microflora of the body and, in addition, are addictive and reduce the defenses of the immune system. However, it is worth knowing that this concerns the internal intake of antibiotics, this does not apply to drops for the following reasons:
- the nasal cavity does not have microflora, therefore, the harmful effects of drops simply cannot be;
- antibiotic nasal drops do not affect the state of the vessels of the nasal mucosa;
- local application does not affect the immunity of the whole organism;
- with an excessive dosage, part of the drug enters the stomach, but it must be remembered that the acidic environment of the gastric juice separates the substance into its constituent components, so the antibiotic does not reach the intestine.
Timely treatment with nasal drops with an antibiotic, which is included in the composition, very often saves from antimicrobial therapy. There are cases when such drops from the common cold cured adenoids in children without surgery.
One of these drugs is Protargol, which is treated with silver as the main component. They effectively dry out, relieve inflammation and at the same time destroy pathogenic bacteria on the mucous membrane.
Virus drugs
Antiviral drugs are an inevitable method of treating the common cold in ARVI. it effective method fight against the cause of the common cold in such a disease, since the preparations contain components that affect the virus itself.
Drops of the interferon group have shown themselves especially well, in which the active substance is native to the body and is well perceived. The use of such drops in the acute period of the disease allows you to overcome the symptoms and get rid of the disease faster. In addition, these drugs are indicated for people with frequent colds as a preventive method.
Antiviral drops, if used correctly, have no contraindications, are allowed for the treatment of children, pregnant women and women during lactation.
With severe nasal congestion, the drugs that become "first aid" for the patient are vasodilator or vasoconstrictor nasal drugs. They quickly relieve swelling of the mucous membrane, improve breathing through the nose and allow mucous discharge to be blown out. Currently, there are a large number of drugs that can be bought over the counter at any pharmacy.
Why use a vasodilator or vasoconstrictor? What are the most popular nasal medications? What do you need to know before using such medicines?
Vasodilator drops: purpose
The purpose of vasodilator drugs is to normalize the condition of the blood vessels in the nasal cavity. This is necessary, since it depends on the thickness of the capillaries in the mucous membrane how comfortable it will be for a person to breathe through his nose. When the vascular network narrows or expands, a person develops soft tissue edema, which leads to blockage of air access to the nasal cavity and deterioration of mucus drainage. Nasal drops help restore normal blood supply to the nasopharynx.
Only ENT can identify the cause of mucosal edema. The main factors that cause rhinitis are:
- Allergy
- Viral or bacterial infection
- Industrial air pollution
- Hormonal disorders in the body, etc.
Most often, vasodilator drops are prescribed in combination with other drugs. For example, if a patient's rhinitis is caused by allergens, the allergist may prescribe antihistamines, corticosteroids, and vasoconstrictor drops. And if the cause of a runny nose and nasal congestion is an infection, then the ENT will be able to prescribe decongestants, antibacterial or antiviral agents.
It makes no sense to self-medicate using only vasodilating drops, because they have rather narrow purposes. They can only bring temporary relief and relief from symptoms. If you ignore the main cause of the disease, then the patient may develop very serious complications in the nasal cavity, respiratory organs and even in the brain.
Nasal drops for the common cold: the names of popular drugs
Anyone who has a runny nose knows the names of such nasal drops as:
- Naftizin
- Sanorin
- Galazolin
- Otrivin
- Xylometazoline
- Tizine and others.
All these and other names of drugs are quite common, because they are prescribed by doctors for severe nasal congestion and difficulty breathing. They have almost the same effect on the body, but differ in the duration of the effect.
Despite the fact that vasodilator and vasoconstrictor drops are considered harmless, it is still important to know that they can be harmful to human health if used incorrectly.
In order for the patient not to become addicted to the nasal drug, drops can be instilled into the nose only for 3-7 days. Exceeding the dose of a vasodilator, as well as a long period of use, can lead to the following negative consequences:
- Loss or decreased sense of smell
- The appearance of dryness and burning in the nose
- Dry crusts
- Decreased mucosal protective function
- Headache
- Irritability and poor ability to work
In addition, in some patients, nasal vasodilators can cause side effects such as a temporary decrease in vision, dizziness, and a slowdown in reaction. Therefore, those who drive vehicles or are engaged in activities requiring special attention should be aware of the possible negative effects of drops on their body.
There are also preparations that contain a complex of active ingredients. For example, Rinofluimucil contains both a vasodilating active substance and a mucolytic. And Betadrin contains additional components such as antiallergic and antibacterial agent.
It is in childhood that drugs are so necessary to improve nasal breathing. The child's still not strong body does not always cope with new attacks of viruses, therefore, it often suffers from such manifestations of a cold as a severe runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, and fever. If an adult copes with such symptoms easily enough, then for children a cold nasal congestion is the biggest challenge.
Why is it so difficult for children to tolerate a runny nose with nasal congestion?
- Firstly, they have to constantly breathe through the mouth, and this leads to dryness of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, burning sensations and irritation. Then a sore throat joins the runny nose.
- Secondly, impaired oxygen circulation to the brain leads to the fact that the child has a headache, eye irritation, and decreased appetite.
Not all parents will agree to bury vasodilators in their children’s nose, because they have heard what negative effects they can have on the baby’s body. Are nasal vasodilator drops really so dangerous for children?
Not really. There are drugs in pharmacies that are designed specifically for children. For example, a solution of Naphthyzin in a children's dosage contains only 0.05% of the active ingredient. When compared with drops for adult patients, then there is 0.1% of the active ingredient.
When using vasoconstrictor drops, it is necessary to accurately observe the dosage and duration of treatment. The standard course of therapy is no more than 3 days. And the drug can be instilled into the nose for children no more than 2 times a day. If you follow the instructions for the use of vasodilators, then the risk of any side effects or addiction is minimal.
In addition, parents should entrust the choice of a specific nasal drug to a pediatrician or pediatric ENT, since not all popular remedies are suitable for treating a cold in children. Some drops can impair olfactory function, blocking nasal breathing with prolonged use. This is due to the fact that the child's body does not have resistance to strong active substances, since it has not yet fully formed.
Doctors recommend using safe children's vasodilators as they help improve nasal breathing. And when air ventilation is restored, a natural process of drying out the secreted mucus occurs in the nasal cavity, and the runny nose gradually begins to pass. Removing swelling in the nose prevents mucus from accumulating in the sinuses, which could cause sinusitis or sinusitis.
That is, it is worth using vasodilators for nasal congestion in cases where breathing through your nose is very difficult or almost impossible. Nasal drops relieve swelling and help temporarily relieve nasal discharge. But it is necessary to use such drugs correctly, then they will not have a negative effect on the body of adults and children.
Video - Instillation in the nose: