Otrivine Adult nasal spray
Xylometazoline 0.1% decongestant spray for a blocked nose — works in about two minutes and lasts for hours.
- Fast relief of nasal congestion, rhinitis and sinusitis
- One spray per nostril, up to three times a day
- Maximum 7 days — longer risks rebound congestion
- Adults and children 12+
- Pharmacist advice included with every order
£4.49
Otrivine Adult Nasal Spray contains xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.1%, a fast-acting decongestant that shrinks the swollen blood vessels lining the nose. Most people feel their nose open within a couple of minutes, and the effect lasts for hours — which is why it is the go-to for a blocked nose that is stopping you sleeping.
What Otrivine is used for
Otrivine is licensed for the symptomatic relief of:
- Nasal congestion — a blocked nose from a cold or flu
- Perennial and allergic rhinitis, including hay fever
- Sinusitis
It relieves the blockage; it does not treat the infection or the allergy causing it. For an allergic cause, a steroid or antihistamine spray tackles the underlying inflammation rather than just the swelling.
How to use Otrivine nasal spray
- Blow your nose gently first.
- Remove the cap and, if it is a new bottle, prime the pump with a few sprays into the air.
- Keeping your head upright, insert the nozzle into one nostril and close the other with a finger.
- Give one spray while breathing in gently through that nostril.
- Repeat in the other nostril, then wipe the nozzle and replace the cap.
Dose: one application into each nostril, up to three times a day. Do not exceed three applications per nostril in 24 hours.
Tipping your head back is a common mistake — it sends the spray down your throat instead of onto the nasal lining, so you get the taste without the benefit.
The seven-day rule — and why it matters
Do not use Otrivine for more than seven days in a row. This is the single most important thing to know about decongestant sprays, and the reason is worth understanding.
With prolonged use, the nasal lining becomes dependent on the spray. As each dose wears off the blood vessels swell back harder than before — so the nose blocks again, you reach for the spray again, and a cycle sets in. This is called rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa), and people can spend months stuck in it, convinced they have a permanent sinus problem when in fact the spray is causing the blockage it is meant to relieve.
Prolonged or excessive use can also thin the nasal lining over time. If you have been using a decongestant spray for longer than a week and cannot stop, speak to our pharmacist — it is a common and very fixable situation.
Who should not use Otrivine
Otrivine Adult spray is for adults and children aged 12 and over. Do not use it if you:
- Are allergic to xylometazoline or any other ingredient
- Have narrow-angle glaucoma
- Have rhinitis sicca or atrophic rhinitis (a dry, crusted nasal lining)
- Have had trans-sphenoidal surgery or any surgery exposing the dura mater
- Have phaeochromocytoma or an enlarged prostate
- Are taking, or have taken within the last two weeks, an MAOI antidepressant
Check with our pharmacist before using it if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid or diabetes. Avoid Otrivine in pregnancy, and use while breastfeeding only on a doctor’s advice.
The spray is for one person only — sharing a nasal spray passes infection between users.
What to use instead for longer-term congestion
Because Otrivine is capped at seven days, it is not the answer for ongoing congestion. For persistent hay fever or allergic rhinitis, a steroid spray such as Beconase treats the inflammation itself and is designed for regular use. For gentle daily cleansing, or for congestion in pregnancy where decongestants are best avoided, a saline spray such as Sterimar is drug-free and has no time limit. Both, and the rest of the range, are on our nasal care page.
Always read the label and the patient information leaflet before use.
Medically reviewed by Hassan Khan, MPharm, Independent Prescriber — Superintendent Pharmacist, Bury Healthcare Online (GPhC-registered pharmacy 1126145). Last reviewed: July 2026.
Otrivine: frequently asked questions
How do you use Otrivine nasal spray correctly?
Blow your nose, prime the pump if the bottle is new, then keep your head upright — do not tip it back. Put the nozzle into one nostril, close the other with a finger, and give one spray while breathing in gently. Repeat on the other side. One application per nostril, up to three times daily, for no more than seven days.
How long does Otrivine take to work?
Usually within about two minutes, and the decongestant effect typically lasts several hours — often long enough to get through a night’s sleep. If it is not helping at all, do not increase the dose; speak to our pharmacist instead.
Why can you only use Otrivine for 7 days?
Because of rebound congestion. With continued use the nasal lining becomes reliant on the spray, and each time a dose wears off the blood vessels swell more than before — so the nose blocks up again and the cycle continues. Sticking to seven days avoids it. Prolonged use can also thin the nasal lining.
Is Otrivine a steroid?
No. Otrivine contains xylometazoline, a decongestant that narrows blood vessels in the nose. Steroid nasal sprays such as Beconase work quite differently — they reduce inflammation, take days to build up their effect, and are intended for regular longer-term use. If your congestion is allergic and ongoing, a steroid spray is usually the more appropriate choice.
What happens if I use Otrivine for too long?
You risk rebound congestion, where the nose becomes persistently blocked and only briefly clears with each spray. It is common, and it is reversible — but stopping can mean a few uncomfortable days while the lining settles. Our pharmacist can talk you through how to come off it, often by switching to a saline or steroid spray.
Can I use Otrivine when pregnant?
It should be avoided during pregnancy, because decongestants can have effects on blood vessels elsewhere in the body. While breastfeeding, use it only on a doctor’s advice. A saline spray is drug-free and a safer first choice for a blocked nose in pregnancy.
Can children use Otrivine Adult nasal spray?
The adult 0.1% spray is for ages 12 and over and is contraindicated below that. Younger children need a lower-strength paediatric preparation or a saline spray — ask our pharmacist rather than reducing the adult dose.
Can I use Otrivine with a cold and flu remedy?
Take care. Many cold and flu products already contain an oral decongestant such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, and combining them adds up. Check the label of anything else you are taking, and ask our pharmacist if you are unsure.
How often can I use Otrivine in a day?
One spray into each nostril, up to three times a day — a maximum of three applications per nostril in 24 hours. Using it more often does not work better and makes rebound congestion more likely.
Can Otrivine help with sinusitis?
Yes, it is licensed for sinusitis and can ease the blockage that stops the sinuses draining, which often relieves the pressure and pain. It does not treat an infection. If you have facial pain, fever or symptoms lasting beyond ten days, see your GP.
