by Tom Brend

Created on: September 14, 2009   Last Updated: September 15, 2009

Naphazoline hydrochloride nasal spray must not be given to young children and infants under any circumstance. Older children may take Naphazoline HCl spray with some precaution. The best decision would be to get advice from a medical professional whether to take Naph. HCl nasal spray or not. This guide was only made for a quick reference. For dosage recommendations, a nasal dose equates one pumping action of the nasal injector.

1) Children from the ages 0 to 6 should never receive Naphazoline HCl nasal spray! One dose may lead to a fatal CNS depression!

2) Children from 6 to 12 should get only one nasal dose of a 0.05% Naphazoline HCl solution per day.

3) Children from 12 upwards may have 1-2 nasal doses of 0.05% Naph. HCl solution every 6 hours per day.

CNS (brain) depression occurs in too young and overdosing patients and may lead to the loss of consciousness, coma with rapid body heat loss and eventually death. Overdosing is a serious risk if children are allowed to inject the Naphazoline HCl spray themselves, as nasal sprays can look like a very playful thing for the younger patients. Until your kid is able to understand the risk and is made aware of it, you should do the injections for your children. If an overdose occurs, immediately call medical emergency services, use first aid techniques, and most importantly, keep the body warm with medical reflective blankets. Any Naphazoline HCl overdose comes with a loss of body heat which should be avoided as it heightens the chances of a fatal outcome of the overdose.

Naphazoline acts as a vasoconstrictor, meaning that it narrows the blood vessels, thus can be used to reduce swelling in tissue if applied directly. Naphazoline additionally belongs to the group of drugs that are called sympathomimetica, and such drugs should only be taken under medical supervision as the uptake of such substances affects the vegetative sympathic nerve system directly. It debalances a delicate systems of chemicals held in balance by various feedback mechanisms of the body. Sympathomimetica generally increase blood pressure, heartbeat frequency, and the rate of metabolism.

Naphazoline HCl spray therefore is not to be taken by any patient with cardiovascular problems or any type of diabetes without consulting a medical professional to clear possible risks. Any sensivity to sympathomimetica can result in unforeseen consequences for the patient. Teens and Tweens taking MAO-inhibitor-drugs (typically antidepressants) should also not take Naphazoline HCl spray, as not to risk a hypertensive crisis.

Medical encyclopedia: Naphazoline, University of Maryland Medical Center

Learn more about this author, Tom Brend.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.