Ocurest

Uses

Naphazoline is a sympathomimetic vasoconstrictor used for the symptomatic relief of redness and itching of the eye, and nasal congestion.

Naphazoline is indicated for use as OTC eyedrops for ocular vasoconstriction or as a nasal preparation for nasal congestion.

Phenylephrine is an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist used in the management of hypotension, generally in the surgical setting associated with the use of anesthetics.

Phenylephrine injections are indicated to treat hypotension caused by shock or anesthesia, an ophthalmic formulation is indicated to dilate pupils and induce vasoconstriction, an intranasal formulation is used to treat congestion, and a topical formulation is used to treat hemorrhoids. Off-label uses include situations that require local blood flow restriction such as the treatment of priapism.

Ocurest is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Bacterial Conjunctivitis, Blepharoconjunctivitis, Conjunctivitis, Conjunctivitis allergic, Dacryocystitis, Dacryostenosis, Dermatitis, Eczematous of the Eyelid, Eye Pain, Eye redness, Iritis, Lacrimation, Nasal Allergies, Nasal Congestion, Noninfective conjunctivitis, Otitis Media (OM), Photophobia, Foreign body sensation in eye, Ocular bacterial infections, Ocular vasoconstrictionAllergic Rhinitis (AR), Anorectal discomfort, Cold, Common Cold, Common Cold/Flu, Congestion of the Conjunctivas, Conjunctivitis allergic, Cough, Cough caused by Common Cold, Eye allergy, Eye redness, Fever, Flu caused by Influenza, Headache, Headache caused by Allergies, Headache caused by Common Cold, Headache caused by Pollen Allergy, Hemorrhoids, Hypotension, Irritative cough, Itching of the nose, Itching of the throat, Laryngotracheitis, Nasal Congestion, Nose discomfort, Ocular Inflammation, Ocular Irritation, Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia, Pollen Allergy, Respiratory tract congestion, Respiratory tract irritation, Rhinopharyngitis, Rhinorrhoea, Seasonal Allergies, Shock, Cardiogenic, Sinus Congestion, Sinus pressure, Sinusitis, Sneezing, Sore Throat, Tracheobronchitis, Upper respiratory tract hypersensitivity reaction, site unspecified, Vasomotor Rhinitis, Aching caused by Flu caused by Influenza, Bronchial congestion, Itchy throat, Minor aches and pains, Watery itchy eyes, Airway secretion clearance therapy, Antihistamine, Dilatation of the pupil, Vasoconstrictor in regional analgesia therapy

How Ocurest works

Naphazoline is a vasoconstrictor that functions by stimulating alpha adrenergic receptors in arterioles leading to decreased congestion at the site of administration.

Naphazoline causes the release of norepinephrine in sympathetic nerves. Norepinephrine binds to alpha adrenergic receptors and causes vasoconstriction. Naphazoline is also a mild beta adrenergic receptor agonist, which can cause rebound vasodilation after the alpha adrenergic stimulation has ended. Naphazoline's release of norepinephrine also triggers a negative feedback loop which decreases production of norepinephrine, which can lead to rhinitis medicamentosa after long term use when naphazoline is stopped.

Phenylephrine is an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist that mediates vasoconstriction and mydriasis depending on the route and location of administration. Systemic exposure to phenylephrine also leads to agonism of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors, raising systolic and diastolic pressure as well as peripheral vascular resistance. Increased blood pressure stimulates the vagus nerve, causing reflex bradycardia.

Toxicity

In high doses or when ingested, naphazoline can lead to central nervous system depression (which can progress to coma and death), hypothermia, bradycardia, and death. This effect is especially pronounced in children under 6 years.

Long term use of naphazoline can lead to rhinitis medicamentosa once naphazoline is stopped. This condition is a result of norepinephrine release by naphazoline triggering a negative feedback loop.

Safety and effectiveness in children under 12 has not been established. Studies in elderly patients have yet to be performed. Risk in pregnancy, breast feeding, and on overall fertility have not been established, though pregnant and breast feeding patients should consider the risk and benefit before starting naphazoline treatment.

Patients experiencing and overdose may present with headache, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, tingling limbs, cardiac arrhythmias, and a feeling of fullness in the head. Overdose may be treated by supportive care and discontinuing phenylephrine, chronotropic medications, and vasodilators. Subcutaneous phentolamine may be used to treat tissue extravasation.

Volume of Distribution

Distribution data for naphazoline are scarce but imidazoline compounds are distributed throughout the body, and can cross the blood-brain barrier.

The volume of distribution of phenylephrine is 340L.

Elimination Route

Absorption data for naphazoline are scarce but imidazoline compounds in general are weakly basic and lipophilic, with high bioavailability from the gastrointestinal tract.

Phenylephrine is 38% orally bioavailable. Clinically significant systemic absorption of ophthalmic formulations is possible, especially at higher strengths and when the cornea is damaged.

Half Life

Half life has not been determined but effects last for 4 to 8 hours. Other imidazoline compounds have half lives varying from 2 to 12 hours.

Intravenous phenylephrine has an effective half life of 5 minutes and an elimination half life of 2.5 hours.

Clearance

Clearance data for naphazoline is unavailable.

Phenylephrine has an average clearance of 2100mL/min.

Elimination Route

Imidazoline compounds undergo some hepatic metabolism but a large fraction of the dose may be excreted unchanged in the urine. Urinary excretion is higher with more acidic urine.

86% of a dose of phenylephrine is recovered in the urine with 16% as the unmetabolized drug, 57% as the inactive meta-hydroxymendelic acid, and 8% as inactive sulfate conjugates.

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