Patient education: How to use nasal medicines (The Basics)

What are nasal medicines? — A "nasal" medicine is given directly into the nose. Some people also use salt water, or "saline," to help keep the nose moist or to ease stuffiness. Nasal medicines are easily absorbed into the bloodstream.

Nasal medicines come in different forms. They also come with different devices to put the medicine into the nose. Examples include:

●Sprays, pumps, and pressurized canisters – Nasal sprays deliver medicine with a fine mist that you breathe in through the nose.

●Drops – Nasal drops are liquid and are given using a dropper or dropper bottle. The drops are larger than a spray or mist and more difficult to get inside the nose.

●Gels – Nasal gels are a thick liquid that you rub on the inside of the nose.

What kinds of medicines can be given as a nasal spray, drop, or gel? — Examples include medicines to:

●Prevent or treat cold or allergy symptoms

●Treat illnesses like migraines or seizures

●Treat symptoms like pain, low blood sugar, or nausea

●Treat opioid overdose

How do I use nasal medicines? — Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about your medicine. In general, here are the steps to using a nasal medicine:

●Check the medicine:

•Read the label to make sure that you have the correct medicine and the correct dose. Check that it is not expired.

•Know if you should use the medicine in 1 or both sides of your nose. Know how many sprays or drops to use.

•Know how long you need to use the medicine and how often to use it.

●Gently blow your nose.

●Wash your hands with warm, soapy water before and after you use the medicine.

●Gently shake nasal drops and sprays.

To use nasal drops:

●Lie down or sit, and tip your head back. Breathe through your mouth.

●Put the tip of the dropper in your nose about 1/3 inch (1 cm). Do not touch the dropper to your nose.

●Put the correct number of drops in your nose.

●Continue to lie with your head back for 1 to 2 minutes.

●Then, rinse the tip of the nasal drop container with hot water. Dry with a clean tissue. Replace the cap.

To use a nasal spray, pump, or pressurized canister:

●Sit or stand.

●If needed, "prime" the pump or canister before using it. This means squeezing or pushing it a few times until you see a fine mist come out.

●Breathe out slowly.

●Place the tip of the spray container in 1 side of your nose. Point the tip toward the back of your head, away from the middle of your nose. If you are using a pump bottle or spray, tip your head slightly forward to keep the container upright. Use 1 finger to gently close the other side of your nose.

●Squeeze or push the spray, pump, or pressurized canister quickly and firmly. Then, breathe in or sniff gently to keep the medicine in your nose. If you taste the medicine in the back of your throat, you might have breathed in too hard. Wait 1 to 2 minutes if you need to use another spray or repeat on the other side.

●Then, clean the tip of the container. Some tips can be removed to clean or rinsed with hot water and dried. Others need to be wiped with a clean tissue. Allow to dry and replace the cap.

To use a nasal gel that comes in a tube:

●Put a small amount of gel on the tip of a clean, dry finger. You can also use a clean cotton swab.

●Gently rub the gel inside your nose.

●Wipe the tip of the tube with a clean tissue. Replace the cap.

What are the risks of using a nasal medicine? — Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will talk to you about all of the possible risks, and answer your questions. Possible risks include:

●Mild itching

●Burning

●Stinging

●Sneezing

●Increase in drainage from the nose

●Change in taste

●Nosebleeds

What else should I know?

●Do not share nasal medicines with other people.

●Make sure that you can sniff air through both sides of your nose before using a nasal medicine.

●Avoid sneezing or blowing your nose right after using a nasal medicine.

●Some kinds of nasal medicines should only be used for a short time. Read the label or talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have questions.

●Do not use any other over-the-counter nasal sprays or drops with your prescription nasal medicine, unless your doctor told you to.

●Know how to store your nasal medicines. Protect them from heat and sunlight.

More on this topic

Patient education: Cough, runny nose, and the common cold (The Basics)
Patient education: Environmental allergies in adults (The Basics)

Patient education: The common cold in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: The common cold in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Nonallergic rhinitis (runny or stuffy nose) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Allergic rhinitis (Beyond the Basics)