Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride. The CHMMHRA has stated that non-prescription cough and cold medicines containing oxymetazoline or xylometazoline can be considered for up to 5 days treatment in children aged 612 years after basic principles of best care have been tried. Upon nasal or ocular administration oxymetazoline constricts the arterioles in the nose and eye resulting in decreased nasal and conjunctival congestion respectively.
I prefer the generic 4way but Afrin may work just as well for you. Oxymetazoline is generally available as a nasal sprayA direct sympathomimetic Oxymetazoline binds to α 1 adrenergic receptors and α 2 adrenergic receptors. Oxymetazoline is a member of the class of phenols that is 24-dimethylphenol which is substituted at positions 3 and 6 by 45-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-ylmethyl and tert-butyl groups respectively.
The CHMMHRA has stated that non-prescription cough and cold medicines containing oxymetazoline or xylometazoline can be considered for up to 5 days treatment in children aged 612 years after basic principles of best care have been tried.
Afrin uses the drug called oxymetazoline hydrochloride the 4way nose spray uses epinephrine hydrochloride. Some people simply prefer using Afrin over other nasal sprays and vice versa for various reasons such as price effectiveness and availability. Since both oxymetazoline and phenylephrine hydrochloride are vasoconstrictors the difference between Afrin and other nasal decongestants is minimal to none. Adults and children 6 to under 12 years of age with adult supervision.