Adult: For temporary relief of cases due to common cold, upper respiratory allergy (e.g. hay fever) or sinusitis: As 0.05% nasal solution or drops: 1-2 drops into each nostril up to every 6 hours. Max treatment duration: 3 days. Child: ≥12 years As 0.05% nasal solution or drops: Same as adult dose.
Ophthalmic Conjunctival decongestant
Adult: For relief of eye congestion: As 0.1% ophthalmic solution: Instil 1 or 2 drops 3-4 hourly as needed. Dosage recommendations may vary among individual products or between countries (refer to detailed product or local guidelines).
Ophthalmic Eye redness, Minor eye irritation
Adult: For relief of redness and minor irritations of the eye: As 0.012% ophthalmic solution: Instil 1-2 drops into affected eye(s) up to 4 times daily. Dosage recommendations may vary among individual products or between countries (refer to detailed product or local guidelines). Child: ≥12 years As 0.012% ophthalmic solution: Same as adult dose.
What are the brands available for Naphazoline in Hong Kong?
Angle-closure glaucoma. Ophthalmic: Narrow chamber angle, previous attack of acute glaucoma due to a narrow chamber angle, iritis or corneal damage; serious eye disease or previous eye surgery. Use prior to peripheral iridectomy in eyes that are susceptible to angle closure. Concomitant use or within 14 days of stopping MAOIs.
Special Precautions
Patient with hypertension, CV disease (e.g. heart failure, coronary artery disease), diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, benign prostatic hyperplasia, arteriosclerosis, depression; ophthalmic infection or injury. Children and elderly. Pregnancy and lactation.
Adverse Reactions
Significant: Rebound nasal congestion or ocular hyperaemia (frequent or prolonged use). Ophthalmic: May liberate pigment granules from the iris (particularly when high doses are given in the elderly). Eye disorders: Eye irritation, eye pain, blurred vision, mydriasis. Gastrointestinal disorders: Nausea. Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions. Nervous system disorders: Dizziness, headache. Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Transient burning or stinging sensation of the nose, sneezing, rhinorrhoea.
Nasal: Avoid contact with eyes. Ophthalmic: This drug may cause transient blurred vision, if affected, do not drive or operate machinery. Remove contact lenses before administration and reinsert after 15 minutes.
Overdosage
Symptoms: Ophthalmic: Allergic conjunctivitis, allergic blepharitis, rebound conjunctival hyperaemia (characterised by increased eye redness), papillary dilation, and precipitation of angle-closure glaucoma. CNS depression (e.g. drowsiness), headache, nausea, reduced body temperature, sweating, bradycardia and coma may also occur, particularly in children. Management: Symptomatic and supportive treatment.
Drug Interactions
May result in enhanced hypertensive effects with MAOIs. May reverse the effects of antihypertensive agents. May increase the risk of arrhythmias with cardiac glycosides, quinidine or TCAs.
Action
Description: Mechanism of Action: Naphazoline, an imidazoline derivative sympathomimetic amine, acts by stimulating the α-adrenergic receptors in the arterioles of the conjunctiva and the nasal mucosa, resulting in vasoconstriction. Onset: Conjunctival vasoconstriction or nasal decongestion: Within 10 minutes. Duration: 2-6 hours. Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: May be systemically absorbed.
Chemical Structure
Naphazoline Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 4436, Naphazoline. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Naphazoline. Accessed Aug. 26, 2025.
S01GA01 - naphazoline ; Belongs to the class of sympathomimetics used as ophthalmologic decongestants. R01AA08 - naphazoline ; Belongs to the class of topical sympathomimetic agents used as nasal decongestants.
References
Brayfield A, Cadart C (eds). Naphazoline. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 31/03/2025.Cosooth (Sensomed). MIMS Philippines. http://www.mims.com/philippines. Accessed 31/03/2025.Murine Irritation & Redness Relief (Prestige Brands [UK] Ltd). MHRA. https://products.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed 31/03/2025.Murine Red & Sore Eyes 0.12 mg/mL Eye Drops, Solution; Cleareyes 0.12 mg/mL Eye Drops, Solution (Prestige Brands [UK] Ltd). MHRA. https://products.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed 31/03/2025.Naphazoline (Nasal). UpToDate Lexidrug, Lexi-Drugs Multinational Online. Waltham, MA. UpToDate, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 31/03/2025.Naphazoline (Ophthalmic). UpToDate Lexidrug, Lexi-Drugs Multinational Online. Waltham, MA. UpToDate, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 31/03/2025.Naphazoline Hydrochloride Solution/Drops (Doral Pharmamedics Inc DBA AG Marin Pharmaceuticals). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 31/03/2025.Naphazoline Hydrochloride. UpToDate Lexidrug, AHFS DI (Adult and Pediatric) Online. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Waltham, MA. UpToDate, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 31/03/2025.Nazal Liquid (Sato Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 31/03/2025.Sato Clear Solution/Drops (Sato Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 31/03/2025.
Sign Out
Continue with Google