Runny nose drops for children

The most effective and least painful method of fighting a runny nose is nasal drops. Drops for a runny nose for children differ in their composition from those used by adults. Or they are softer for the mucous membrane of the nose, do not burn, but, nevertheless, effectively fight the disease.

Health is very important for everyone, especially for small children. And during the change of seasons, there is a chance of getting sick, or catching a virus, catching a cold and getting a runny nose as a "gift".

So, you can catch a runny nose anywhere: while walking outside with a child, in transport, at home, at school or kindergarten. And the child does not necessarily have to have a weak immune system, just wet feet or got cold and here you go - meet a runny nose. And children are especially likely to catch it, because their immune system is much weaker than that of adults.

There are various companies and manufacturers of children's nasal drops, these are:

• Vibrocil for children.
• Otrivin.
• Galazolin.
• Polydexa is a nasal spray.
• Pinosol.
• Aquamaris.
• Allergodil.
• Grippostadrino.
• For the nose.
• Etc.

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Indications for the use of nasal drops for children

Parents protect their children in every possible way and sincerely wish them only good and health. It is important to remember that even the best folk remedies cannot cure a runny nose without using nasal drops. Drops effectively and quickly improve the well-being and general condition of the child.

Below are several options when you simply cannot do without nasal drops:

• ARI, which is accompanied by rhinitis.
• If the child has extreme difficulty breathing through the nose and breathing through the mouth is also difficult.
• Acute allergic rhinitis.
• Hay fever.
• Sinusitis.
• When a long-term runny nose starts to cause complications in the ear, it hurts, in this case the reason most likely lies in the fact that the eustachian tube between the ear and nose is clogged with thickened mucus. In this case, if you act quickly and start treatment with vasoconstrictor drops, then it is possible to avoid a complex ear disease such as otitis media.
• Observation of high body temperature, which is above 38 degrees.
• Breathing through the nose is absolutely absent. The danger is that during the night the child dries out the mucus in the nasal passages even more, provided that he breathes through the nose, and the mucus hardens in the respiratory tract, which can lead to the development of bronchitis, and later - pneumonia.
• Vasoconstrictor drugs are used to perform surgical manipulations or to diagnose the nasopharynx.
• It is possible not only to instill drops into the nose, but also to use drops for inhalation, using them as a solution base. They are effective, since they allow to alleviate the child's condition in such diseases as: bronchial asthma, chronic tonsillitis and other respiratory diseases.

Release form

• Grippostadrino

Nasal drops for children 0.05%, transparent, mostly colorless, sometimes slightly colored, have no odor.

Xylometazoline hydrochloride is the main substance of the drops.

• Otrivin

Application form: nasal drops for children 0.05%, transparent liquid, odorless.

Xylometazoline hydrochloride is the main component of the drops.

• Vibrocil

Drops for children, spray and gel form. The main component of the drops is dimethindene (has an antiallergic effect) and phenylephrine (vasoconstrictor effect)

• For the nose

Nasal drops 0.05% and nasal spray 0.1% for children in the form of a transparent, odorless, colorless solution.

Xylometazoline hydrochloride is the main component.

• Galazolin

Nasal drops 0.05% solution of colorless transparent liquid.

Sodium chloride is the main substance.

And 0.1% nasal drops are also a colorless transparent liquid, mainly containing xylometazoline hydrochloride.

Gel for nasal use 0.05% almost colorless transparent thick liquid.

Also, the 0.1% nasal gel is a colorless and slightly opalescent thick liquid.

• Polydexa - nasal spray

Nasal spray, which has the appearance of a transparent colorless liquid. Mainly in the composition of phenylephrine hydrochloride, neomycin sulfate and dexamethasone metasulfobenzoate sodium.

• Pinosol

Nasal drops of transparent, sometimes blue-green liquid, have a menthol-eucalyptus smell.

• Aquamaris

Metered dose nasal spray with a spray device, 30 ml, which is enough for 200 doses.

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Pharmacodynamics

Drops for a runny nose for children come in a variety of forms, differing in effectiveness and the way they affect the body. To make the right choice of drops for a child, it is necessary to take into account the type of runny nose and the reasons for its appearance, the duration of the disease and additional symptoms.

Among the drops for a runny nose, we can highlight drops with the following spectrum of action:

• Moisturizing drops. The use of such treatments is aimed at sufficient moisturizing of the mucous membrane, to prevent overdrying, in most cases they are used as preventive measures.
• Vasoconstrictors. These types of drops on the mucous membrane have a vasoconstrictor effect and are used in cases of severe disease caused by nasal congestion and difficulty breathing. Since in this case the child's sleep is complicated, appetite is disturbed, and weight is rapidly lost.
• Antibacterial agents. These are prescribed in case of bacterial rhinitis. They protect and kill unhealthy microflora of the nasopharynx.
• Anti-inflammatory drops. Used to relieve inflammation in the child's nasal passages.
• Antiviral. This type of medication is effective only at the initial stage of the disease.
• Antiallergic. These medications help protect against allergic reactions, particularly allergic rhinitis.

As for vasoconstrictor drugs, their effect lasts for about 10 – 12 hours.

Antiviral and anti-inflammatory drops act for about 4-8 hours, depending on the drug concentrate.

Pharmacokinetics

With correct and dosed use of the drugs there are no reflections on the action of the kidneys, liver, heart. They do not affect these organs when administered intranasally.

Most topical drugs are not actually absorbed and do not have an absorptive effect, and drug concentrations are low enough to be detectable using modern analytical methods.

But some are metabolized in the liver by oxidation. Drugs of this action are excreted by the kidneys quite quickly, within 20 hours after use. They are excreted in the state of inactive metabolites.

Method of administration and dosage

It is worth understanding that the use of nasal drops is not always necessary, despite the fact that your child's breathing is difficult. This is especially true for newborn babies, for them nasal congestion after birth and for some time is the most natural process. Since this is not a viral or bacterial runny nose, and after being in the womb, the nose tries to clean itself and needs timely special hygienic care. Also, before taking the drug, you need to clean the nasal passages with a saline solution, which is very effective. As for the doses, they are different for everyone, for a child it is from two to 5 drops of nasal spray. It is necessary to instill both nostrils, observing an interval of several minutes.

For one-year-old children and children under one year old, you need to follow these instructions:

• Place the child on the bed.
• Raise your head, but do not tilt it back.
• When burying the right nostril, turn your head slightly to the left, and when burying the left nostril, turn your head slightly to the right.
• Once the instillation process is complete, press the wings of the nose slightly and move the child to a sitting position, tilting his head slightly forward.

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Contraindications for use

According to the instructions, the use of some drops is not recommended if the following factors are present:

• Atrophic rhinitis.
• Arterial hypertension.
• Closed-angle glaucoma.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Congenital tachycardia and many heart diseases.
• Severe atherosclerosis.
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Hypersensitivity of the child.
• Pheochromocytoma.
• Allergic reactions to some components of the drug (this may have a negative impact on the general condition of the child).

If there is any reaction to the use of the drug (sneezing, dry mucous membrane, dry nasopharynx, burning), the use of the drug must be discontinued. For further treatment of a runny nose in a child and the choice of a suitable drug, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician. Treatment of a runny nose with folk remedies can only worsen the child's condition.

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Side effects

Using the drug for a long period of time leads to a weakening of its direct effect. It can lead to vasodilation, chemical damage to the nasal mucosa, atrophy of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. Also, these include swelling of the mucous membranes, sneezing, a burning sensation or dryness, excessive nasal congestion. It is important to remember that each child is special and the reaction of his body is individual. While one may have absolutely all the symptoms, another may not have any of them. It is very important to be extremely careful when using vasoconstrictor drops, one of the serious consequences is spasms. Of course, there are drugs that do not cause side effects and discomfort, for this reason, they are prescribed by most medical specialists.

One of the main warnings: if you follow the recommendations of your doctor during treatment, all side effects will be extremely minimal. Also, follow the instructions. And do not self-medicate under any circumstances, it can be dangerous for your child.

Overdose

In cases where a large dose has been taken, the drug may be swallowed, which entails the absorbent and suction action of the substance from the digestive tract. In case of local overdose, tachycardia, increased normal blood pressure, headache, nausea and vomiting may develop.

But with the correct use of the drug, an overdose is impossible, because when used locally, the drug is absolutely harmless to the body as a whole and acts specifically on the mucous membrane, and therefore the disease.

Interactions with other drugs

Taking the drug along with MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants is impossible, since their components are incompatible. MAO inhibitors are antidepressants used and often prescribed for prolonged depression, alcohol addiction, neurotic damage, and in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. MAO inhibitors include:

• Befol.
• Pirlindol.
• Metralindole.
• Beta-carbolines.
• Nialamid.
• Phenelzine.
• And others.

Storage conditions

Preparations of this spectrum of action should be stored in a place inaccessible to children, out of direct sunlight, and at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. It is recommended to store the bottle with drops in a cardboard package from the manufacturer, or (in the absence of production packaging), in a special first aid kit or simply in a dark place. Before each use, you should look at the expiration date and do not use the drug after its expiration.

Best before date

The shelf life of nasal drops varies depending on their components. In most cases, it is from a year to 36 months, but no more. After the expiration date, the drugs lose their direct capabilities and can even become a negative factor in treatment and significantly harm the child. You should monitor the expiration date of the drugs so as not to harm yourself and your loved ones. In case of improper storage, damage to the bottle, which allows air access inside, the shelf life is significantly reduced or the drug becomes completely unsuitable for use. After the expiration date or damage to the packaging (bottle), nasal drops for children should be disposed of.