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Oxymetazoline (topical nasal spray)
SACAA Part 67 assessment
Generally acceptable for flying
Active ingredient(s)
Oxymetazoline (topical nasal spray)
Topical decongestant
Guidance notes
Topical nasal preparations are listed as acceptable in SA-CATS 67 Table A1. The underlying congestion still carries a significant barotrauma risk and must be assessed. Avoid prolonged use (rebound congestion). Ophthalmic decongestants, by contrast, are unacceptable.
Category rules that also apply
Topical preparations — 10% body surface area rule
Topical preparations are treated as acceptable only while applied to no more than 10% of body surface area (roughly one arm, or the palm-size rule ×10). Above that, systemic absorption becomes significant and the preparation is assessed as if taken systemically — including topical corticosteroids, NSAID gels and antihistamine creams. Broken or inflamed skin increases absorption further.
Known SA brand names
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