Sodium Chloride, Intranasal

Sodium chloride, intranasal is an over-the-counter (OTC) product used to relieve nasal congestion and dryness and as a pretreatment for nasal steroids to reduce nasal swelling.

• Sodium chloride, intranasal is available under the following different brand names: Ocean, Ayr Saline, Entsol, HuMist, NaSal, Ocean for Kids, and Rhinaris.

Dosages of Sodium Chloride, Intranasal:

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Nasal Spray

• 0.9% (isotonicity includes addition of preservative systems and buffers)
• 3% (Entsol)

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Nasal Dryness and Congestion

• Isotonic solution (0.9%) relieves nasal congestion by thinning mucus and moisturizes membranes
• Adults and children: 2 sprays/nostril as needed
• 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
• Adults and children: 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

• Sodium chloride, intranasal has no reported side effects.  

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Sodium chloride, intranasal has no listed severe interactions with other drugs.
• Sodium chloride, intranasal has no listed serious interactions with other drugs.
• Sodium chloride, intranasal has no listed moderate interactions with other drugs.
• Sodium chloride, intranasal has no listed mild interactions with other drugs.
   

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings
 

• This medication contains sodium chloride, intranasal. Do not take Ocean, Ayr Saline, Entsol, HuMist, NaSal, Ocean for Kids, or Rhinaris if you are allergic to sodium chloride, intranasal, or any ingredients contained in this drug.
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to preservatives or buffers

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Sodium Chloride, Intranasal?”

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Sodium Chloride, Intranasal?”

Cautions

• Use by more than 1 person may spread infection

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Sodium chloride, intranasal is generally acceptable for use during pregnancy. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
• Sodium chloride, intranasal is not distributed in breast milk and is generally acceptable for use while breastfeeding.