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Medication guide

Oxymetazoline nasal spray

Temporarily relieves a blocked nose.

Check the name, strength and form on your own prescription or package.

Brand
Dristan
Form
Nasal decongestant spray
Guidance checked
2026-09-08

About this medication

Temporarily relieves a blocked nose.

How to use it

Use only the age-appropriate product and labelled short course. Longer use can cause rebound congestion.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Ask before use in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Before you use it

Review high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes and urinary problems.

Possible side effects

Nasal burning, dryness or sneezing.

When to get help

Seek care for marked palpitations, severe headache or accidental ingestion, especially by a child.

Other medicines and products

Do not combine with an MAOI or use within its required washout period. Review other decongestants.

Missed doses, storage and accidental exposure

Follow your own product’s missed-dose instructions. If you are unsure, ask the Care365 clinical team before taking an extra dose. Contraceptives, injections and modified-release medicines may need a specific plan.

Keep the original packaging and follow its storage, expiry and disposal instructions. Keep medicines away from children and pets. Ask about refrigeration, after-opening limits and safe sharps disposal when relevant.

For suspected overdose or accidental swallowing, contact poison control or urgent medical care promptly. Call emergency services for breathing difficulty, collapse or a seizure.

References and product information

Sources checked .

Sources checked 2026-09-08. Safety sections are highlights; consult the full product information for complete warnings and instructions.

Check the Canadian Drug Product Database by product name or DIN for current product information.

The Pharmasist page for Oxymetazoline gives more background about this medicine. Its linked monograph may describe a different brand, strength or formulation from the one discussed here, so use the exact product and DIN on your package when checking doses and warnings.

A formulation is the form of a medicine, such as a tablet, cream or spray. Products with the same ingredient can have different directions.

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