sodium chloride, intranasal (Ocean, Ayr Saline, Entsol, HuMist, NaSal, Ocean for Kids, Rhinaris): Dosing and Uses
Classes: Decongestants, Intranasal
Dosing and uses of Ocean, Ayr Saline (sodium chloride, intranasal)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
nasal spray
- 0.9% (isotonicity includes addition of preservative systems and buffers)
- 3% (Entsol)
Nasal Dryness & Congestion
Isotonic solution (0.9%) relieves nasal congestion by thinning mucus and moisturizes membranes
2 sprays/nostril prn
Pretreatment for Nasal Steroid
Helps reduce nasal swelling
Hypertonic saline (3%): 1 spray/nostril 2-6 times daily
Administration
Ocean delivery options
- If bottle is held upright: delivers fine mist
- If bottle is held horizontally: delivers a stream
- If bottle is held upside down: delivers drops
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
nasal spray
- 0.9% (isotonicity includes addition of preservative systems and buffers)
- 3% (Entsol)
Nasal Dryness & Congestion
Isotonic solution (0.9%) relieves nasal congestion by thinning mucus and moisturizes membranes
Children: 2 sprays/nostril prn
Infants: Use drop application; 1-2 drops each nostril with gentle bulb syringe suction to extract mucus
Pretreatment for Nasal Steroid
Helps reduce nasal swelling
Hypertonic saline (3%): 1 spray/nostril 2-6 times daily
Administration
Ocean delivery options
- If bottle is held upright: delivers fine mist
- If bottle is held horizontally: delivers a stream
- If bottle is held upside down: delivers drops
Ocean, Ayr Saline (sodium chloride, intranasal) adverse (side) effects
None
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to preservatives or buffers
Cautions
Use by more than 1 person may spread infection
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: A
Lactation: Not distributed in breast milk
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Ocean, Ayr Saline (sodium chloride, intranasal)
Mechanism of action
Provides moisture to dry or inflamed mucus membranes, and helps thin mucus