Imidazoline
Imidazoline
medications
Alternate names
Oxymetazoline, tetrahydrozoline, naphazoline, nasal sprays, nasal decongestants, Afrin, ophthalmic preparation, Visine, eye drops
Toxicity to pets
Imidazoline decongestants are topical vasoconstrictors (constricts blood vessels). Imidazolines (like oxymetazoline and tetrahydrozoline) are commonly found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. When a bottle of product containing imidazolines is chewed, it can result in severe poisoning in pets – even death, when untreated. Even a small ingestion can cause clinical signs of vomiting, lethargy/depression or agitation, ataxia (incoordination), hypotension, and a life-threatening low heart rate. Immediate veterinary attention should be sought following ingestion. Please contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline for life-saving advice if your pet has ingested one of these common eye drops or nasal sprays.
Common signs to watch for:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy or depression
- Agitation
- Incoordination
- Hypotension
- Life-threatening low heart rate
Disclaimer
The content of this page is not veterinary advice. A number of factors (amount of substance ingested, size of the animal, allergies, etc.) determine what is toxic to a particular pet. If you think your pet has eaten something potentially toxic, call Pet Poison Helpline or seek immediate veterinary treatment.
