Naphazoline

Naphazoline

Rohto
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
Routes of administration	Ophthalmic drug administration, nasal administration
ATC code	R01AA08 (WHO) S01GA01 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	In general: Over-the-counter (OTC)
Identifiers
IUPAC name 2-(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole
JSmol)	Interactive image
SMILES N\1=C(\NCC/1)Cc2cccc3c2cccc3
InChI InChI=1S/C14H14N2/c1-2-7-13-11(4-1)5-3-6-12(13)10-14-15-8-9-16-14/h1-7H,8-10H2,(H,15,16) Y Key:CNIIGCLFLJGOGP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Naphazoline is a medicine used as a

to produce constriction, resulting in decreased congestion.

It was patented in 1934 and came into medical use in 1942.[1]

Medical uses

Nasal administration

Nasal decongestant.^[2]

Ophthalmic drug administration

Eye drops (brand names Clear Eyes, and Cleari) narrowing swollen blood vessels (ophthalmic arteries, and ophthalmic veins) to relieve red eye.^[2]

Temporary red eye can safely be treated when the cause of the redness is established (e.g. cannabis induced corneal vasodilation).^[3] However, continuous use is not recommended without knowing an underlying condition.

Side effects

A few warnings and

that apply to all naphazoline-containing substances intended for medicinal use are:

• Hypersensitivity to naphazoline
• Use in infants and children can result in central nervous system depression, leading to coma and marked reduction in body temperature
• Should be used with caution in patients with severe
  cardiac arrhythmia and in patients with diabetes, especially those with a tendency toward diabetic ketoacidosis
• A possible association with stroke has been suggested.[4]

Nasal administration

• Extended use may cause rhinitis medicamentosa, a condition of rebound nasal congestion.

Ophthalmic drug administration

Known side-effect:^[5][6]

• Stinging
• Discomfort
• Irritation
• Increased red eyes
• Blurred vision
• Mydriasis
• Punctate keratitis
• Lacrimation
  (tears)
• Increased intraocular pressure

Contraindications

• Patients taking
  sympathomimetic
  drug such as naphazoline HCl
• Drug interactions can occur with
  myocardium to sympathomimetics (e.g. cyclopropane or halothane
  cautiously)
• Exercise caution when applying prior to use of phenylephrine.

Pharmacology

Naphazoline is a mixed α₁- and α₂-adrenergic receptor agonist.^[2]

Chemistry

The non-hydrochloride form of Naphazoline has the molecular formula C₁₄H₁₄N₂ and a molar mass of 210.28 g/mol. The HCl salt form has a molar mass of 246.73 g/mol.

Society and culture

It is an

Illicit use

The nasal or ophthalmic form of naphazoline has been abused by

References