Title 33. NASAL DECONGESTANTS.pdf ✅

PHARMD GURU Page 1 Nasal congestion (stuffy nose) is the blockage of the nasal passages usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflamed blood vessels. Nasal decongestants target the discomfort directly. Nasal decongestants are alpha agonists which on topical applications as dilute solution (0.05 to 0.1%) produce local vasoconstriction. The following are the drugs used as nasal decongestants. 1. Imidazole compounds: Naphazoline, xylometazoline, oxymetazoline. 2. Pseudoephidrine 3. Phenylpropanolamine NAPHAZOLINE: It is a sympathomimetic agent with marked alpha adrenergic activity. It reduces the nasal swelling (congestion) in the nasal membrane by causing vasoconstriction. The naphazoline binds to the alpha receptors expressed on the vascular smooth muscles membranes causing vasoconstriction. Alpha 1(α1) is a GPCR (Gq type). Naphazoline act by binding to the α1 receptors located on the vascular smooth muscles of the nasal mucosal membrane and through PLC, IP3, DAG, Calcium – Calmodulin pathway it causes vasoconstriction. ADRs: Hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia. Uses- Used as nasal decongestant. PSEUDOEPHEDRINE: It is a sympathomimetic agent. It shrinks the blood vessels in the nasal mucosal membrane and reduces the nasal congestion (stuffy nose). ADRs: Nervousness, excitability, dizziness, insomnia, stomach pain, etc. Uses: It is used to treat nasal and sinus congestion. It is used to relieve nasal congestion due to common cold, hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies and nasal congestion associated with sinusitis. NASAL DECONGESTANTS