Naphazoline

Legal statusLegal status IdentifiersCAS NumberPubChem CIDIUPHAR/BPSDrugBankChemSpiderUNIIKEGGChEMBLCompTox Dashboard (EPA)ECHA InfoCard100.011.492 Chemical and physical dataFormulaC₁₄H₁₄N₂Molar mass210.280 g·mol⁻¹3D model (JSmol) ^NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Naphazoline is a medicine used as a decongestant, and a vasoconstrictor added to eye drops to relieve red eye. It has a rapid action in reducing swelling when applied to mucous membranes. It is a sympathomimetic agent with marked alpha adrenergic activity that acts on alpha-receptors in the arterioles of the conjunctiva 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 contraindications 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 cardiovascular disease including 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 MAO inhibitors can experience a severe hypertensive crisis if given a sympathomimetic drug such as naphazoline HCl
• Drug interactions can occur with anaesthetics that sensitize the 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 active ingredient in several over-the-counter eye drop formulations including Clear Eyes, Rohto, Eucool, and Naphcon-A.^[7]

Illicit use

The nasal or ophthalmic form of naphazoline has been abused by heroin or cocaine drug addicts.^[8][9] It's used as CNS stimulant and vasoconstrictor to enhance primary drug effects.^[9]

References