Medicines of this group are used for symptomatic therapy, as they temporarily relieve nasal congestion. Among the pathological causes that cause rhinitis, it should be noted:
- allergic factors;
- viral, bacterial pathogens;
- severe hypothermia (in a draft, in a cold room);
- irritating influence of environmental factors (dry air polluted with chemicals, dust).
Clinically, a nonphysiological rhinitis is manifested:
- local symptoms in the form of nasal congestion, difficulty in nasal breathing, profuse rhinorrhea, swelling of the mucous membrane, sneezing;
- headache;
- aching joints, muscles;
- hyperthermia;
- cough;
- sore throat;
- severe discomfort;
- signs of conjunctivitis (lacrimation, conjunctival hyperemia, itchy eyes).
In addition, appetite, mood and sense of smell are impaired.
Complications of vasoconstrictor therapy
The action of drugs in this group is directed to the adrenergic receptors of the vascular wall. After absorption of the solution in the nasal tissue, vasospasm occurs, as a result of which tissue swelling and the volume of mucous secretions decrease.
The use of drops prevents the development of otitis media and sinusitis. With a decrease in mucosal edema, the outflow of mucus from the paranasal sinuses is restored, and ventilation in the ear and paranasal cavities is normalized.
Why are medications dangerous during pregnancy? When the recommended doses are exceeded, vasoconstrictor drugs have a systemic effect, which causes the placental vessels to suffer. Their spasm disrupts nutrition and oxygen delivery to the embryo, which is fraught with malformations and inhibition of fetal growth. That is why pregnant women should not use these medications often, especially in the first trimester.
Systemic manifestations can also include increased blood pressure, tachycardia, irritability, and tremors.
Separately, it is worth highlighting the risk of developing medicinal rhinitis. It is caused by a decrease in the sensitivity of blood vessels to vasoconstrictor drugs due to their frequent use.
Local adverse reactions are represented by dryness of the nasal mucosa, which reduces their protective properties and predisposes to infection.
Medicines for nasal use
All vasoconstrictor drugs can be roughly divided into groups:
- absolutely contraindicated. During pregnancy, drugs such as Naphthyzine, Tramazolin, Ephedrine are prohibited. The fact is that they are capable of disrupting blood circulation in the placenta;
- relatively contraindicated - medicinal solutions based on ximetazoline, for example, Xymelin, Otrivin, Xilen. Also, in consultation with the doctor, Vibrocil can be used;
- allowed. This group includes homeopathic medicines (Delufen, Edas-131, Euphorbium Compositum Nazentropfen C) and Pinosol (herbal drops).
Vibrocil
The composition of the drug includes two main components that have an antihistamine and vasoconstrictor effect. Thanks to this, the drug can be used for rhinitis of a cold, infectious and allergic type.
According to the instructions, Vibrocil should not be prescribed to pregnant women, however, if the nasal passages are instilled with a minimum dose of medication, it will not be possible to harm the fetus.
Xymelin
The basis of the drug is ximetazoline, which provides a powerful vasoconstrictor effect. The clinical effect is observed 4 minutes after the instillation of the nasal passages and lasts up to 7 hours. In this regard, the maximum frequency of use should not exceed three times a day.
Among the contraindications to drugs based on ximetazoline, it is worth highlighting:
- glaucoma;
- severe arterial hypertension;
- violation of the cardiac rhythm;
- diabetes;
- individual hypersensitivity to the constituents of the drug;
- hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, when there is an increased production of hormones;
- cardiopalmus;
- decompensated renal insufficiency;
- severe atherosclerotic vascular disease;
- diabetes;
- taking antidepressants and some anti-tuberculosis medicines.
Medicinal solutions are available in the form of a spray or drops.
Drugs for intranasal administration have different concentrations, so it is better for a pregnant woman to choose drugs with a minimum content of the active substance.
Adverse reactions often appear when the recommended doses and duration of the course are not followed. They can be presented:
- tremor;
- headache;
- dyspeptic disorders (nausea, vomiting);
- psychoemotional disorders (irritability, moodiness);
- dizziness;
- an increase in the frequency of cardiac contractions;
- dryness, itching, burning sensations in the nasopharynx;
- sneezing;
- skin rashes, increased rhinorrhea and nasal congestion, as a manifestation of an allergic reaction.
The use of drops or spray should be started with the lowest dosage. With frequent instillation of the nasal passages, blood vessels suffer, losing sensitivity to the vasoconstrictor component. This is fraught with the occurrence of medication rhinitis. In addition, the physiological regulation of vascular tone is disrupted, due to which the vessels are in an expanded state, which aggravates the course of the common cold.
Pinosol
This nasal medication is absolutely safe for a pregnant woman and an embryo. Its herbal composition allows for a mild healing effect, while protecting the mucous membrane from irritating factors. Pinosol contains pine, eucalyptus, mint oil, thymol, vitamin E. The solution is dosed in drops, for which the bottle is equipped with a special dispensing tip.
The medicinal liquid has a slightly bluish tint and menthol aroma. The drug belongs to a group of drugs for local administration with a decongestant, anti-inflammatory effect.
It should be remembered that Pinosol does not have a vasoconstrictor effect, so there is no point in expecting a quick effect of improving breathing from its use.
The pharmacological features of each ingredient are not fully understood, but in combination they have an antimicrobial, regenerating effect.
Thymol has antiseptic properties. As for vitamin E, it has a positive effect on the regeneration process, accelerating the healing of the affected tissues. Pinosol can be used not only for nasal administration, but also for inhalation.
Restrictions on use apply to pregnant women with individual intolerance to the components of the drug, as well as an allergic form of the common cold.
Pinosol is widely prescribed not only for pregnant women, but during the lactation period. The dosage of the drug is 2 drops every hour, although for a pregnant woman you should still limit yourself to three times a day.
If necessary, inhalation will require a liter of hot water and 2 ml of medicinal solution. It is important to control the temperature of the steam in order to avoid burns of the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
In some cases, after the solution gets into the eyes or on the surface of the skin, signs of dermatitis and irritation of the conjunctiva appear.
Adverse reactions after instillation of the nasal passages are extremely rare, but you should also be aware of them. Undesirable consequences include:
- hypersensitivity reactions, which are manifested by skin rashes, flushing, swelling of the skin, urticaria;
- itchy, burning sensations in the nasal passages;
- increased swelling of the mucous membrane;
- irritation of the nasal mucosa;
- bronchospasm;
- signs of conjunctivitis (lacrimation, flushing, itchy eyes);
- contact dermatitis.
Homeopathic remedies
Vasoconstrictor nasal drops for pregnant women are not prescribed for more than 5 days, so they can be replaced with homeopathic medicines. They are absolutely safe, therefore they can be used for a long course. The product contains plant and mineral components.
Delufen
The drug has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-allergic and anti-edema properties. In addition, regular use of the drug activates regeneration processes and accelerates the healing of injured tissues. The protective effect reduces the sensitivity of the mucous membrane to irritating environmental factors.
Delufen reduces the risk of developing inflammation of a purulent nature, regulates secretion production, normalizes cleansing, ventilation function, strengthens local immunity and moisturizes tissues.
Addiction to Delufen does not develop, so the medicine can be prescribed for a long course.
Restrictions in use relate to individual intolerance to the constituents of the drug, as well as increased production of thyroid hormones. There are practically no adverse reactions. It is theoretically possible to increase salivation, the volume of mucous secretions.
The dosage of the drug is two sprays three times a day. In the case of long-term storage of the drug, the solution may become cloudy, which is normal. The hue change is due to the plant composition.
Edas-131
Edas-131 is one of the effective homeopathic medicines. The drug is used for microbial and allergic rhinitis for:
- reducing tissue swelling;
- strengthening the strength of local immunity;
- sanitation of the infectious focus;
- restoration of ventilation, drainage function;
- decrease in the volume of mucous secretions.
It is recommended to use Edas-131 at the initial stage of a cold, due to which its transition to the stage of thick snot is accelerated. The drug is applied three drops up to three times a day. The only contraindication is represented by hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
Euphorbium Compositum Nazentropfen C
A homeopathic medicine has the following effects:
- anti-inflammatory;
- decongestant;
- immunostimulating;
- antihistamine;
- antiviral.
The drug is prescribed for microbial, vasomotor, allergic type of rhinitis. Separately, the possibility of using Euphorbium Compositum for atrophic rhinitis, when many medications are contraindicated, should be highlighted.
Pregnancy is a special period in the life of every woman, which should not be overshadowed by a cold. To alleviate the symptoms of the disease, it is worth choosing proven drugs with a minimum number of side effects.
