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Drug reference

xylometazoline

Selective α2 agonist · Nasal decongestant

Selective α2 agonistNasal decongestant
CDSCO approved
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
2 major
SEVERE in our sources
PREGNANCY
—
not curated
Top interactionssee all 7 →
  • RasagilineSevereDatabase
  • SelegilineSevereDatabase

Mechanism

Xylometazoline is an imidazoline compound and a relatively selective α2 agonist. It produces local vasoconstriction on topical application.

Indications

Nasal decongestant

Dosing

Adult
0.1% topical in nose
Pediatric
0.05% topical in nose

Pharmacokinetics

Duration
12 hours

Side effects

Common
After-congestion (prolonged use)Mucosal ciliary function impairment (prolonged use)Atrophic rhinitis (prolonged use)Anosmia (prolonged use)
Serious
  • CNS depression (from systemic absorption)
  • Rise in BP (from systemic absorption)

Drug interactions

Rasagiline
Severe
Database

Systemic effects including rise in BP.

These drugs should be used cautiously in those receiving MAO inhibitors.

Selegiline
Severe
Database

Systemic effects including rise in BP.

These drugs should be used cautiously in those receiving MAO inhibitors.

Isocarboxazid
Moderate
Textbook

Systemic effects including rise in BP.

These drugs should be used cautiously in those receiving MAO inhibitors.

Source: KDT 7e · p136

Moclobemide
Moderate
Textbook

Systemic effects including rise in BP.

These drugs should be used cautiously in those receiving MAO inhibitors.

Source: KDT 7e · p136

Phenelzine
Moderate
Textbook

Systemic effects including rise in BP.

These drugs should be used cautiously in those receiving MAO inhibitors.

Source: KDT 7e · p136

Procarbazine
Moderate
Textbook

Systemic effects including rise in BP.

These drugs should be used cautiously in those receiving MAO inhibitors.

Source: KDT 7e · p136

Tranylcypromine
Moderate
Textbook

Systemic effects including rise in BP.

These drugs should be used cautiously in those receiving MAO inhibitors.

Source: KDT 7e · p136

5 additional unreviewed or low-confidence interactions hidden because their provenance or source detail is insufficient.

Related guidelines

Preoperative cardiac evaluation for non-cardiac surgery
AHA · Cardiology · 2025
Acute diarrhoea in children
IAP · Pediatrics · 2022

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Textbook-sourced·Sources: KD Tripathi 7e·Updated: 2026-05-10