What happens if you use Afrin too long?

What happens if you use Afrin too long?

Using the medication too long or too often may worsen your symptoms or cause nasal congestion to clear up and come back. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 days of treatment. Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

What does prolonged use of nasal spray do?

The longer you use a spray decongestant, the more likely you are to get the rebound phenomenon. It can lead to chronic sinusitis and other serious, long-term problems. Give your doctor a call if you’re having any of these issues: It’s all in your nose.

Does rebound congestion go away?

Rebound congestion often goes away once you stop using decongestant nasal sprays, but abruptly stopping the medication cold turkey can cause more congestion and swelling. Some people may benefit from decreasing the use of decongestants gradually.

How do I wean myself off Afrin?

Treatment

1. STOP the nasal decongestant spray use immediately (more rarely, one can try to wean off the afrin by diluting the concentration with saline by 25% on a daily basis)
2. High dose prednisone starting at 60mg tapered slowly over ~2 weeks.
3. Start steroid nasal spray AND anthistamine nasal spray use.

How do I get rid of Afrin rebound congestion?

Rebound congestion treatment “One can use a nasal steroid (such as Flonase) to help limit the symptoms while the body recovers. In severe cases, an oral steroid can be prescribed, which may help.” Dr. Gels adds that saline spray might help to reduce the inflammation.

How do I overcome Afrin addiction?

The best way to break the cycle of Afrin addiction, Dr. Besser advises, is to stop taking the medication cold turkey. “Expect to be miserable for a few days while the body recovers,” she says. “One can use a nasal steroid (such as Flonase) to help limit the symptoms while the body recovers.

How long does it take to get off Afrin?

Each time afrin is sprayed into the nose, the medication causes the blood vessels to squeeze shut, just like a tourniquet to a leg squeezes shut the blood flow to the foot. Fortunately, the medication effects only lasts about 12 hours before the “chemical tourniquet” wears off.

Can nasal spray cause permanent damage?

After the medicine wears off, the nasal tissue swells again. Sometimes it swells even more than before. If the person continues to use it, this swelling can get more severe and lead to permanent swelling of the tissue. Long-term use of these sprays can also damage the tissue, causing infection and pain.

How long does it take to get off of Afrin?

Can I stop taking Flonase cold turkey?

However, while there are potential side effects to using Flonase nasal spray, stopping Flonase abruptly is unlikely to cause problems.

Will flonase help with Afrin addiction?

Rebound congestion treatment The best way to break the cycle of Afrin addiction, Dr. Besser advises, is to stop taking the medication cold turkey. “Expect to be miserable for a few days while the body recovers,” she says. “One can use a nasal steroid (such as Flonase) to help limit the symptoms while the body recovers.

Can Afrin cause permanent damage to your sinuses?

Not uncommonly, long-term addiction to Afrin and other decongestant nasal sprays can lead to permanent damage in your sinus system. Sometimes, the damage done even begins to resemble a chemical burn or a lifetime of sinus infections inside your nose.

What are the side effects of Afrin nasal spray (oxymetazoline (nasal))?

Using Afrin Nasal Spray ( oxymetazoline ( nasal )) too often or for longer than you have been told may cause nose stuffiness to happen again or get worse. This medicine may cause harm if swallowed or if too much is used. The chance is higher in children.

Can you use Afrin on both sides of your nose?

In other words, use Afrin on one nasal passage only while letting the other nasal passage remain congested until the rebound effect wears off. After a few days, you should be able to breathe well enough through one side of your nose to either go cold turkey or use saline sprays on the other side of your nose.

What is Afrin and how does it work?

What Is Afrin? Afrin is an over-the-counter nasal spray that’s designed to relieve nasal congestion for about 12 hours. By stimulating the smooth muscles inside your nose, your nose’s blood vessels will constrict, which in turn, reduces congestion.