What Is Neo-Synephrine Used For?
Neo-Synephrine® nasal sprays (
phenylephrine or
oxymetazoline nasal sprays) are non-prescription decongestant medications. They are used to treat nasal or sinus congestion. While many people find Neo-Synephrine to be quite effective, the medication should be used for no more than three days at a time, or the congestion may actually become worse.
Specifically, Neo-Synephrine products are approved for the following uses:
- Relieving nasal congestion due to the common cold or allergies
- Relieving a stuffy nose
- Clearing nasal passages and shrinking swollen membranes
- Restoring freer breathing through the nose
- Decongesting sinus openings and passages
- Relieving sinus congestion and pressure.
As previously mentioned, it is important to limit the use of Neo-Synephrine to no more than three days in a row. The nasal passages become accustomed to the effects of the drug, and you may find that you must continue to use Neo-Synephrine just to keep the congestion away, even though the original problem (such as a cold) has long resolved
(see Neo-Synephrine Addiction for more information).
How Does the Medication Work?
The active ingredients in Neo-Synephrine products (phenylephrine or oxymetazoline, depending on the particular product) belong to a group of drugs called decongestants. Specifically, they work by stimulating certain receptors known as alpha-adrenergic receptors. In the lining of the sinuses and nasal passages, this action causes the blood vessels to constrict, allowing less fluid to leave the blood vessels and decreasing inflammation. This helps to relieve nasal and sinus congestion.
