Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Novel Methods for Intranasal Administration Under Inhalation Anesthesia to Evaluate Nose-to-Brain Drug Delivery
Published on: November 14, 2018
[Danger of nasal vasoconstrictors in infants. Apropos of a case]
Background:
Imidazoline derivatives are alpha-adrenergic agents used in nose drops and collyria. Intoxication in children can cause severe central nervous system depression and cardiovascular adverse effects, especially in very young children.
Case Report:
A 1-month old girl was admitted after nose-drop instillation of naphazoline. At the time of admission, she was comatose, pale, hypothermic and presented arterial hypertension, bradycardia and apnea. Arterial hypertension was corrected after intravenous infusion with phentolamine mesylate, an alpha-antagonist agent. All other symptoms disappeared spontaneously 9 hours after the initial instillation.
Conclusions:
Imidazoline intoxication due to overdose or accidental ingestion is frequent in children. Because nose drops are widely available without any medical prescription, nasal vasoconstrictors which contain imidazolin derivatives should be discouraged under 7 years of age and kept out of children's reach.
Related Concept Videos
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Decongestants
Most decongestants are readily available over-the-counter in various...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Epistaxis
Etiology
Possible causes of this condition include high blood pressure, trauma, low humidity, upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, foreign bodies, nasal inhalation of corticosteroids or illicit drugs, excessive use of decongestant nasal sprays, facial or nasal surgery, anatomic malformation, tumors, or systemic...
Administering Oxygen by Nasal Cannula
Nasal Cannulas
A nasal cannula is a lightweight tube split into two prongs placed in the nostrils, connected...
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required

