What is Otrivin Schnupfen and when is it used?

Otrivin Schnupfen is used to treat different types of colds kind used.

Otrivin Schnupfen is intended for use in the nose, where it constricts the blood vessels and thereby reduces swelling of the mucous membrane in the nose and in the adjacent area of ​​the throat. This allows you to breathe more freely through your nose when you have a cold. The effect sets in within minutes and lasts for several hours. Otrivin Schnupfen contains additives (sorbitol solution and methylhydroxypropyl cellulose) that are intended to prevent the nasal mucosa from drying out.

Otrivin Schnupfen must not be used for longer than 1 week, since prolonged use can lead to permanent damage to the mucous membranes («rhinitis medicamentosa»).

When should Otrivin Schnupfen not be used?

After transnasal surgery (surgical interventions in the nose area during which the meninges were exposed), Otrivin Schnupfen can be used like other decongestants , are not applied.

Otrivin Schnupfen must not be used with:

• very dry or chronically inflamed nasal mucosa (rhinitis sicca or rhinitis atrophicans),
• narrow-angle glaucoma (glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure),
• known hypersensitivity to xylometazoline or an excipient .

When is caution required when using Otrivin cold?

When using Otrivin cold, sleep and visual disturbances or dizziness can occur appear as signs of increased sensitivity. Please contact your doctor

• if you find these symptoms very annoying,
• if your cold persists or gets worse, or
• if you have additional symptoms.

In the following cases, Otrivin Schnupfen should be used with caution and only after consultation with the doctor/pharmacist:

• High blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases (e.g. long QT syndrome). Patients suffering from long QT syndrome may experience severe cardiac arrhythmias when using Otrivin Schnupfen.
• Hyperthyroidism,
• Sugar disease (diabetes mellitus),
• Enlarged prostate,
• Pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal gland).

If you are taking or have taken within the last 14 days MAO inhibitors (medicines for depression). you should not use Otrivin Schnupfen.

If you are taking certain mood-enhancing medicines (tri- or tetracyclic antidepressants) or anti-Parkinson medicines (levodopa), you should also not use this medicine.

Otrivin Schnupfen must not be used for longer than 1 week, since prolonged use can trigger medication-related swelling of the nasal mucosa (rhinitis medicamentosa or rhinitis atrophicans), the symptoms of which are very similar to a cold.

Otrivin Schnupfen 0.05% should not be used in children under the age of 1 year. For children between 1 and 2 years of age, use only as prescribed by a doctor. Use in children from 2 to 11 years under adult supervision.

Otrivin Schnupfen 0.1% should not be used in children under 12 years of age.

Otrivin Schnupfen should not get in your mouth or eyes.

The recommended dosage should not be exceeded, especially in children and elderly patients.

Tell your doctor, pharmacist or druggist if you

• suffer from other diseases,
• have allergies or
• use other medicines (including those you bought yourself!)!

Can Otrivin Schnupfen be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Otrivin Schnupfen should not be used during pregnancy. During breastfeeding, Otrivin Schnupfen should only be used on medical advice.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any medicine.

How do you use Otrivin Schnupfen?

Unless otherwise prescribed by the doctor, the following dosage recommendations apply:

Otrivin cold nose drops 0.05% and dosing spray 0.05%:

Children between 2-11 years: only use under adult supervision.

Usually 1-2 drops of the 0.05% solution or 1 spray with the dosing spray 0.05% in each nostril is sufficient 1 to 2 times a day, whereby 3 applications per day may not be exceeded.

Children between 1-2 years: Use only as prescribed by a doctor.

Children under 1 year: The preparation should not be used.

Otrivin Cold Dosing Spray 0.1%:

Only for adults and adolescents aged 12 and over.

1 spray in each Nose hole. Repeat if necessary, not exceeding 3 applications per day.

Otrivin cold nose drops 0.1% and nebulizer 0.1%:

Only for adults and adolescents aged 12 and over.

2-3 drops of the 0.1% solution or one spray with the nebulizer 0.1% in each nostril. Repeat if necessary, 3-4 applications per day should not be exceeded.

The last application of the day should preferably be just before bedtime.

Application of the drops

Application instructions for the dosing spray (without propellant)

Application instructions for the nebulizer:

Otrivin Schupf should not be used for longer than 1 week.

If you use more Otrivin Schnupfen than you should, please inform your doctor immediately. Poisoning can occur from significant overdose or from accidental ingestion of the drug.

Stick to the dosage given in the package leaflet or as prescribed by your doctor. If you think the medicine is too weak or too strong, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or druggist.

What are the possible side effects of Otrivin Schnupfen?

Stop using Otrivin Schnupfen and seek medical help straight away if you or your child notice any of the symptoms below ; it could be an allergic reaction:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat
• Intense itching with a red rash and/or bumps on the skin
• Irregular heartbeat

Common side effects (affects 1 to 10 users in 100):

Dryness and irritation of the Nasal mucosa, nausea, headache and local burning sensation.

Very rare side effects (in less than 1 in 10,000 people treated):

Allergic reactions (skin rash, itching), temporary blurred vision, irregular or accelerated palpitations, drug-related caused swelling of the nasal mucosa (rhinitis medicamentosa).

If you notice side effects that are not described here, you should inform your doctor, pharmacist or druggist.

What else needs to be considered?

The medicinal product may only be used up to the date marked ‹EXP› on the container.

Storage Instructions

Store at 15-30°C.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Your doctor, pharmacist or druggist can provide you with further information. These people have the detailed information for specialists.

What does Otrivin Schnupfen contain?

Active substance

Nasal drops 0.05% (children) contain xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.5 mg/ml; 1 drop contains 0.0125 mg xylometazoline hydrochloride.

Nasal drops 0.1% (adults) contain xylometazoline hydrochloride 1 mg/ml; 1 drop contains 0.025 mg xylometazoline hydrochloride.

Measuring spray 0.05% (children) contains xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.5 mg/ml; 1 spray (= 0.07 ml) contains 0.035 mg xylometazoline hydrochloride.

Measuring spray 0.1% (adults) contains xylometazoline hydrochloride 1 mg/ml; 1 spray (= 0.14 ml) contains 0.14 mg xylometazoline hydrochloride.

Nebulizer contains xylometazoline hydrochloride 1 mg/ml.

Excipients

Sodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium edetate, sodium chloride, sorbitol, methylhydroxypropyl cellulose, water; as a preservative: benzalkonium chloride.

Approval number

44939, 24926, 24959 (Swissmedic).

Where can you get Otrivin Cold? What packs are available?

Authorization holder

GSK Consumer Healthcare Schweiz AG, Risch

This leaflet was last checked by the medicines authority (Swissmedic) in October 2019.