Vicks Sinex

In the U.S.

• Neo-Synephrine
• Nostril
• Pretz-D
• Rhinall
• Tur-Bi-Cal
• Vicks Sinex

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Gel/Jelly
• Spray

Therapeutic Class: Decongestant

Pharmacologic Class: Sympathomimetic

Chemical Class: Alkylarylamine

Phenylephrine is used for the temporary relief of congestion or stuffiness in the nose caused by hay fever or other allergies, colds, or sinus trouble. It may also be used in ear infections to relieve congestion.

This medicine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

This medicine is available without a prescription.

Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years of age. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects .

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain phenylephrine. It may not be specific to Vicks Sinex. Please read with care.

To use the nose drops:

• Blow your nose gently. Tilt the head back while standing or sitting up, or lie down on a bed and hang head over the side. Place the drops into each nostril and keep the head tilted back for a few minutes to allow the medicine to spread throughout the nose.
• Rinse the dropper with hot water and dry with a clean tissue. Replace the cap right after use.
• To avoid spreading the infection, do not use the container for more than one person.

To use the nose spray:

• Blow your nose gently. With the head upright, spray the medicine into each nostril. Sniff briskly while squeezing the bottle quickly and firmly. For best results, spray once or twice into each nostril and wait 3 to 5 minutes to allow the medicine to work. Then, blow your nose gently and thoroughly. Repeat until the complete dose is used.
• Rinse the tip of the spray bottle with hot water, taking care not to suck water into the bottle, and dry with a clean tissue. Replace the cap right after use.
• To avoid spreading the infection, do not use the container for more than one person.

To use the nose jelly:

• Blow your nose gently. Wash your hands before applying the medicine. With your finger, place a small amount of jelly (about the size of a pea) up each nostril. Sniff it well back into the nose.
• Wipe the tip of the tube with a clean, damp tissue and replace the cap right after use.

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for longer than 3 days without first checking with your doctor. To do so may make your runny or stuffy nose worse and may also increase the chance of side effects.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For stuffy nose:
  • For nose jelly dosage form:
    • Adults—Use a small amount in the nose every three or four hours as needed.
    • Children—Use is not recommended.
  • For nose drops dosage form:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—Use two or three drops of a 0.25 to 0.5% solution in the nose every four hours as needed.
    • Children 6 to 12 years of age—Use two or three drops of a 0.25% solution in the nose every four hours as needed.
    • Children 4 to 6 years of age—Use two or three drops of a 0.125 or 0.16% solution in the nose every four hours as needed.
    • Children and infants up to 4 years of age—Use is not recommended .
  • For nose spray dosage form:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—Use two or three sprays of a 0.25 to 0.5% solution in the nose every four hours as needed.
    • Children 6 to 12 years of age—Use two or three sprays of a 0.25% solution in the nose every four hours as needed.
    • Children 4 to 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children and infants up to 4 years of age—Use is not recommended .

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Note: The above side effects are more likely to occur in children because there is a greater chance that too much of this medicine may be absorbed into the body.

• Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
• headache or dizziness
• increased sweating
• nervousness
• paleness
• trembling
• trouble in sleeping

• Increase in runny or stuffy nose

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Burning, dryness, or stinging of inside of nose

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• If you have an allergy to oxymetazoline or any other part of Vicks Sinex (oxymetazoline (nasal)).
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have taken certain drugs used for low mood (depression) like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine or drugs used for Parkinson's disease like selegiline or rasagiline in the last 14 days. Taking this medicine within 14 days of those drugs can cause very bad high blood pressure.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Vicks Sinex.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Vicks Sinex. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Do not use for more than 3 days. Using this medicine too often or for longer than you have been told may cause nose stuffiness to happen again or get worse.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
• This medicine may cause harm if swallowed or if too much is used. The chance is higher in children. If Vicks Sinex is swallowed or too much is used, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
• Talk with the doctor before you give this medicine to a child younger than 6 years old.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Vicks Sinex while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

Use this medicine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Do not take Vicks Sinex by mouth. Use in your nose only. Keep out of your mouth and eyes (may burn).
• Some products may have different ways to prime the pump. Some pumps may also need to be primed if not used for different periods of time. Follow how and when to prime as you have been told.
• Blow your nose before use.
• Do not tilt your head back before using this medicine.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If you use Vicks Sinex on a regular basis, use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not use 2 doses or extra doses.
• Many times this medicine is used on an as needed basis. Do not use more often than told by the doctor.

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.