Vicks Sinex
Encyclopedia
Vicks Sinex is a brand of topical nasal decongestant
spray produced by Vicks
, a division of Procter & Gamble
. The active ingredient contained in the Sinex nasal spray
is Oxymetazoline
which acts to relieve blocked nasal passages. The recommended dosage is 2–3 sprays in each nostril every 10–12 hours, though users should check the packaging for the specific product purchased. Excessive use of this product could lead to a dependency
on it whereby the nasal passages block without use of Oxymetazoline
again. Thus it is not recommended that Sinex be used for more than seven days. Extra ingredients include camphor
, eucalyptol
, and menthol
, which give Sinex Nasal Spray products the characteristic aroma of Vicks products.
Sinex products also contain the antibacterial Benzalkonium Chloride
.
Sinex Nasal Spray may contain Phenylephrine
as an active ingredient in non-UK countries.
Topical decongestant
Topical decongestants are decongestants applied directly to the nasal cavity. By applying them directly to the site of action, topical decongestants relieve nasal congestion while reducing the side effects associated with systemically-acting decongestants, such as high blood pressure...
spray produced by Vicks
Vicks
Vicks is a line of over-the-counter medications owned by the American company Procter & Gamble. Vicks manufactures NyQuil and its sister medication, DayQuil. The Vicks brand also produces Formula 44 cough medicines, cough drops, VapoRub, and a number of inhaled breathing treatments...
, a division of Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
. The active ingredient contained in the Sinex nasal spray
Nasal spray
Nasal sprays come in a variety of forms. Medicated such as Astelin, Afrin and Nasonex and natural such as Sinusoothe and Sterimar. Although delivery methods vary, most nasal sprays function by instilling a fine mist into the nostril by action of a hand-operated pump mechanism.-Antihistamine nasal...
is Oxymetazoline
Oxymetazoline
Oxymetazoline is a selective alpha-1 agonist and partial alpha-2 agonist topical decongestant, used in the form of Oxymetazoline hydrochloride, in products such as Afrin, Dristan, Nasivin, Logicin, Vicks Sinex, Visine L.R., Sudafed OM, and Zicam. It was developed from Xylometazoline at E.Merck...
which acts to relieve blocked nasal passages. The recommended dosage is 2–3 sprays in each nostril every 10–12 hours, though users should check the packaging for the specific product purchased. Excessive use of this product could lead to a dependency
Physical dependence
Physical dependence refers to a state resulting from chronic use of a drug that has produced tolerance and where negative physical symptoms of withdrawal result from abrupt discontinuation or dosage reduction...
on it whereby the nasal passages block without use of Oxymetazoline
Oxymetazoline
Oxymetazoline is a selective alpha-1 agonist and partial alpha-2 agonist topical decongestant, used in the form of Oxymetazoline hydrochloride, in products such as Afrin, Dristan, Nasivin, Logicin, Vicks Sinex, Visine L.R., Sudafed OM, and Zicam. It was developed from Xylometazoline at E.Merck...
again. Thus it is not recommended that Sinex be used for more than seven days. Extra ingredients include camphor
Camphor
Camphor is a waxy, white or transparent solid with a strong, aromatic odor. It is a terpenoid with the chemical formula C10H16O. It is found in wood of the camphor laurel , a large evergreen tree found in Asia and also of Dryobalanops aromatica, a giant of the Bornean forests...
, eucalyptol
Eucalyptol
Eucalyptol is a natural organic compound which is a colorless liquid. It is a cyclic ether and a monoterpenoid.Eucalyptol is also known by a variety of synonyms: 1,8-cineol, 1,8-cineole, limonene oxide, cajeputol, 1,8-epoxy-p-menthane, 1,8-oxido-p-menthane, eucalyptol, eucalyptole,...
, and menthol
Menthol
Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained from peppermint or other mint oils. It is a waxy, crystalline substance, clear or white in color, which is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above. The main form of menthol occurring in nature is -menthol, which is assigned...
, which give Sinex Nasal Spray products the characteristic aroma of Vicks products.
Sinex products also contain the antibacterial Benzalkonium Chloride
Benzalkonium chloride
Benzalkonium chloride, also known as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride and ADBAC, is a mixture of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides of various even-numbered alkyl chain lengths. This product is a nitrogenous cationic surface-acting agent belonging to the quaternary ammonium group...
.
Sinex Nasal Spray may contain Phenylephrine
Phenylephrine
Phenylephrine is a selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist used primarily as a decongestant, as an agent to dilate the pupil, and to increase blood pressure...
as an active ingredient in non-UK countries.