Can pregnant women use naphazoline hydrochloride nasal drops?

Naphazoline hydrochloride nasal drops should not be used by pregnant women, as it may affect fetal development.

Naphazoline hydrochloride nasal drops are vasoconstrictive agents that work by directly stimulating vascular α1 receptors, leading to blood vessel constriction and thereby reducing congestion and edema caused by inflammation. They are primarily used to treat allergic and inflammatory nasal congestion, as well as acute and chronic rhinitis. The active ingredient, naphazoline hydrochloride, can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect the respiratory center and thermoregulatory center, potentially causing restlessness and agitation. Pregnant women are in a special physiological state where the fetus relies on the mother for nutrients, and medications may be absorbed by the fetus, thus interfering with normal fetal development. Some pregnant women using this medication may experience adverse effects such as dizziness, headache, palpitations, and chest tightness. Therefore, if a pregnant woman suffers from rhinitis, any medication use must be under the guidance of a physician.

If a pregnant woman experiences any discomfort, she should seek evaluation at a qualified medical facility and receive standardized treatment under medical supervision. In daily life, attention should also be paid to nasal hygiene, a light diet should be maintained, and spicy or irritating foods should be avoided.