Operil P 0.25 mg/mL nasal drops – for blocked nose in children aged 6 to 12

Operil P 0.25 mg/mL nasal drops, solution contains oxymetazoline, a medicine from the group of adrenergic agents (decongestants). Oxymetazoline narrows the blood vessels in the nasal mucosa and thus reduces its swelling – the nose quickly becomes unblocked.

According to the approved leaflet, the medicine is used for the rapid relief of nasal congestion in colds, allergic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. The effect starts within a few minutes and lasts 6 to 8 hours, at most 12 hours. This form is intended only for children aged 6 to 12 years.

What are Operil P nasal drops used for and how are they dosed in children?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Operil P used for?

According to the patient leaflet, Operil P is used for the rapid relief of nasal congestion in:

• inflammation of the nasal mucosa due to a cold
• allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucosa due to an allergic reaction)
• rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the nasal mucosa and sinuses)

Operil P drops are intended only for children aged 6 to 12 years.

How is it used and dosed?

Usual dosage according to the leaflet for children aged 6 to 12 years:

• 2 to 3 drops into each nostril, 2 to 3 times a day
• do not use for more than 5 consecutive days
• do not exceed the prescribed dose

• Method of administration: the medicine is for nasal use only.
• If symptoms persist after 3–5 days of use, get worse or new symptoms appear, stop use and see a doctor.

Special patient groups

• Children under 6 years: the medicine is not intended for this age group.
• Children aged 6 to 12: the only group this form is intended for.
• Adults and children over 12: according to the leaflet, Operil 0.5 mg/mL is intended for them.
• Children with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid, liver or kidney disease: use only on a doctor's advice.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

Do not use the medicine:

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to oxymetazoline or any of the excipients
• if you have inflammation or damage of the nasal mucosa or the skin around the nostrils, including dry nasal mucosa with or without crusts
• if you have cardiovascular disease
• if you have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• if you have raised eye pressure (angle-closure glaucoma)
• if you have an enlarged prostate
• during treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and for 14 days after stopping them
• if you have convulsions
• after surgical removal of the pituitary gland (transsphenoidal hypophysectomy)
• with other indirect-acting sympathomimetics – nasal decongestants used orally or nasally (phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine) and methylphenidate; combining two decongestants is contraindicated regardless of the route

Precautions and warnings

• Do not exceed the prescribed dose or use the medicine for more than 5 consecutive days.
• If you have high blood pressure, heart disease (including angina pectoris), diabetes, thyroid disease, an adrenal tumour (phaeochromocytoma) or impaired liver or kidney function, consult a doctor before use.
• Use should be stopped if hallucinations, restlessness or sleep disturbance occur.
• Caution with concomitant phenothiazines or tricyclic antidepressants, digitalis, beta blockers, methyldopa or other medicines for high blood pressure.
• Avoid using several preparations containing sympathomimetics at the same time (e.g. cold tablets plus nasal or eye drops).
• The medicine contains 55 micrograms of benzalkonium chloride per 1 mL, which may cause irritation and swelling of the nasal mucosa, especially with long-term use; if this happens, a preservative-free product is needed.

Interactions with other medicines, alcohol and food

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you take, including those without a prescription. According to the leaflet:

• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline, imipramine) or phenothiazines – possible rise in blood pressure and heart rhythm disturbance
• beta blockers, methyldopa and other medicines for high blood pressure – oxymetazoline may reduce their efficacy
• bromocriptine (for Parkinson's disease) – possible increased toxicity to the heart and blood vessels
• MAO inhibitors, other decongestants (phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine) and methylphenidate – concomitant use is contraindicated

The leaflet mentions no specific interactions with food or alcohol.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Use is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If the doctor judges that the benefit outweighs the risk to the foetus, the medicine may only be used under medical supervision. There are no data on the effect on fertility.

Driving and using machines

According to the Summary of Product Characteristics, it is not known whether the medicine affects the ability to drive or use machines.

Possible side effects

• Common (up to 1 in 10 patients): burning and dryness of the nasal mucosa, sneezing.
• Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): hypersensitivity reactions (swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat with possible difficulty breathing and swallowing, rash, itching); recurrence of congestion caused by the medicine (rebound congestion); nosebleed.
• Rare (up to 1 in 1,000): excitation, restlessness, insomnia; palpitations, fast heartbeat; increased blood pressure.
• Very rare (up to 1 in 10,000): agitation, insomnia, fatigue (drowsiness, sedation), headache, hallucinations (mainly in children), convulsions (especially in children); heart rhythm disturbance; cessation of breathing in infants and newborns.

Suspected side effects can be reported to a doctor, pharmacist or the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia (ALIMS).

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: if more medicine has been used than needed, seek a doctor's advice or go to the nearest hospital and take the pack with you. Symptoms of moderate to severe overdose may include dilated pupils, nausea, fever, bluish lips, spasms, fast or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, difficulty breathing and mental disturbances, as well as drowsiness, low body temperature, slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, shock and loss of consciousness.
• Missed dose: skip it and use the next dose at the usual time. Do not use a double dose.
• Stopping treatment: in rare cases a temporary feeling of nasal congestion may occur.

Further information

• How to cure a cold in one day?

For additional care and support with blocked nose, see also the Clogged nose category – products in this category do not replace the medicine you have been prescribed.

Composition, packaging and manufacturer

• 1 mL of solution contains 0.25 mg oxymetazoline hydrochloride; 1 drop (0.04 mL) contains 0.01 mg.
• Excipients: benzalkonium chloride, sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment), sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, disodium phosphate dihydrate, water for injections.
• Appearance: clear, colourless to pale yellow solution.
• Pack: plastic dropper bottle (LDPE/HDPE) with screw cap, 10 mL solution, in a carton with the leaflet.
• Marketing authorisation holder: Pontus Pharma d.o.o., Belgrade. Manufacturer: Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d., Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Storage

• Store below 25 °C.
• Shelf life after first opening of the bottle: 14 days.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children; return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

From what age can Operil P drops be used?

Operil P 0.25 mg/mL nasal drops are intended only for children aged 6 to 12. They are not intended for children under 6, and Operil 0.5 mg/mL is intended for adults and children over 12.

How many Operil P drops are given to a child?

According to the leaflet, 2 to 3 drops into each nostril, 2 to 3 times a day, for no more than 5 consecutive days.

How long does the effect of Operil P drops last?

The effect starts within a few minutes and lasts 6 to 8 hours, at most 12 hours, gradually decreasing after 6 hours.

How long can an opened bottle be used?

After first opening, the bottle should be used within 14 days and stored below 25 °C.

Sources

• ALIMS – Patient leaflet Operil P, 0.25 mg/mL, nasal drops (December 2025)
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics Operil P, 0.25 mg/mL (authorisation 003673223 2024, 02.12.2025)

Date sources were checked: 23 October 2026.