Naphazoline hydrochloride
Naphazoline hydrochloride (pronunciation: na-FAZ-oh-leen HYE-droe-KLOR-ide) is a type of vasoconstrictor used primarily as a decongestant. It is commonly found in over-the-counter eye and nasal drops.
Etymology
The term "Naphazoline" is derived from the chemical structure of the compound, which includes a naphthalene ring and an imidazoline ring. The suffix "-ine" is commonly used in the names of amines, which are organic compounds that contain nitrogen. "Hydrochloride" refers to the presence of a hydrochloric acid molecule in the compound.
Usage
Naphazoline hydrochloride works by narrowing the blood vessels in the eyes and nose, thereby reducing swelling and congestion. It is often used to relieve symptoms of allergies, colds, or other conditions that cause eye or nasal irritation.
Related Terms
- Vasoconstrictor: A type of drug that constricts (narrows) blood vessels, thereby reducing blood flow.
- Decongestant: A type of drug that reduces swelling and congestion in the nasal passages.
- Hydrochloride: A type of salt that is formed when hydrochloric acid is neutralized with a base.
Side Effects
Like all medications, Naphazoline hydrochloride can cause side effects. These may include dryness or irritation of the eyes or nose, headache, or increased heart rate. In rare cases, it can cause serious side effects such as high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat.
Precautions
Before using Naphazoline hydrochloride, individuals should inform their healthcare provider if they have any medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or an overactive thyroid. It is also important to inform the healthcare provider about any other medications being taken, as Naphazoline hydrochloride can interact with certain other drugs.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Naphazoline hydrochloride
- Wikipedia's article - Naphazoline hydrochloride
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski