ammonia liquor + eucalyptus oil: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Licensed as a traditional inhalant for symptomatic relief of catarrh and head colds.
• Persistent symptoms warrant reassessment rather than continued reliance on symptomatic inhalation.
• Patients with asthma or other respiratory disease may be more sensitive to ammonia irritation.

Contraindications and cautions

• Children younger than 3 months.
• Hypersensitivity to an ingredient.

Monitoring

• No routine laboratory monitoring is required.
• Assess persistent symptoms, respiratory irritation, or suspected accidental ingestion, eye exposure or significant skin exposure.

Clinical pharmacology

Ammonia acts as a pungent sensory and reflex stimulant at the upper-airway mucosa. Eucalyptus oil contributes aromatic essential-oil effects; pharmacokinetic data are not considered applicable for the licensed inhalant use.

Formulation and product differences

• White granules containing ammonia liquor and eucalyptus oil, with glycerol, soft soap, tapioca and water.
• Presented in an amber glass bottle with a lined plastic cap.
• For inhalation only; not an oral preparation.