oxymetazoline

English

Alternative forms

• oxymethazoline

Etymology

From hydroxy +‎ methyl +‎ imidazole +‎ -ine.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌɑk.sɪm.əˈtæz.əˌliːn/

Noun

oxymetazoline (uncountable)

1. (medicine, pharmacology) A sympathomimetic drug with vasoconstrictive activity that is used in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₆H₂₄N₂O·HCl chiefly as a topical nasal decongestant, developed from xylometazoline.
   • 1997, “The Druggist”, Joel Mabus (music):

     Oxymetazoline or phenylpropanolamine / to open up the sinuses and such / Then try to recoup with a little chicken soup / Call your mother cause it pays to keep in touch

References

• “oxymetazoline”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.