Question

1. How effective will phenylephrine be at shrinking the hyper-dilated vessels in the nasal mucosa? What (unintended) systemic cardiovascular side effects might be induced by phenylephrine dosing?

2. How effective will pseudoephedrine be at shrinking the hyper-dilated vessels in the nasal mucosa? Is this similar to or different than the effects of phenylephrine? What (unintended) systemic cardiovascular side effects might also be induced by pseudoephedrine dosing? Are they similar to or different than the side effects of phenylephrine?

3. How effective will oxymetazoline be at shrinking the hyper-dilated vessels in the nasal mucosa? What are your thoughts on systemic side effects of this drug, based on its mode of delivery?

Answer 1

1. Phenylephrine is a nasal decongestants functions by reducing swelling of the blood vessels in the nasal passages. It predominantly binds to an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist. Systemic side effects of phenylephrinedue to systemic α-adrenergic effects, include hypertension accompanied by a reflex atropine-sensitive bradycardia.

2. Pseudoephedrine is also an alpha-adrenergic receptors which can be used as nasal decongestants applied to the mucosa of the respiratory tract resulting in vasoconstriction or shrinkage of hyper dialted vessels. It does by shrinking swollen nasal mucous membranes; reducing tissue hyperemia and edema, and alsoincreases nasal airway patency.Systemic side effects involve heart attacks, strokes and arrhythmia. It also works similar to phenylephrine by being an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist and have similar side effects.

3. Oxymetazoline is also a nasal decongestant, sympathomimetic amine which binds to alpha-2 adrenergic receptors and produce vasa constriction in the nose to relieve the nasal congestion. Side effects are: chest pain, arrhythmia, severe headache, buzzing ears, dizziness, hypertension, anxiety, confusion, or feeling short of breath.