INFORMATION - Afrin Nasal Spray Addiction

I am sharing this because i have spend years with Rebound Congestion and want to help people who are affected by this.

Rhinitis Medicamentos is scientific term for Nasal spray addiction or Afrin Addiction. It's also known as Rebound congestion, which is caused by excessive use of Nasal sprays. The Active ingredients involve oxymetazoline, phenylephrine or xylometazoline. They tend to constrict the blood vessels of nose.

Patients are usually affected by this stage after using nasal sprays 5-7 days continuously.

Treatments -

Two kinds of treatment are available for this condition.

- Cessation
- Weaning

You can access to these treatment methods at http://www.rhinitismedicamentosa.org

Hope it will be helpful.

Thanks

Jack oliver wrote:Treatments -

Two kinds of treatment are available for this condition.

- Cessation
- Weaning

There is a third treatment that works better.

Cease using it in one nostril and, of course, you continue to treat the other nostril and breathe through it.

After some days, the "ceased" nostril will open up and then you cease using Afrin in the other nostril.

It helps to use a cortisone nasal spray while you are breaking the Afrin habit.

ChicagoGranny wrote:

Jack oliver wrote:Treatments -

Two kinds of treatment are available for this condition.

- Cessation
- Weaning

There is a third treatment that works better.

Cease using it in one nostril and, of course, you continue to treat the other nostril and breathe through it.

After some days, the "ceased" nostril will open up and then you cease using Afrin in the other nostril.

It helps to use a cortisone nasal spray while you are breaking the Afrin habit.

It also helps to use saline spray, nasal irrigation, steamy showers, and oral antihistamines (benadryl) when trying to kick the Afrin habit.

Hose_Head wrote:saline spray, nasal irrigation, steamy showers

Yes!

Hose_Head wrote:oral antihistamines

Mmmm ... maybe. If you do, drink mucho water.

Well I am happy that there are people who want to help other guys who are surviving this Nasal addiction.

There is a third treatment that works better.

Chicago Granny Absolutely there are many other treatments available and you have discussed the perfect one.

steamy showers

Hose_Head that can do wonders but one need to continue the treatments at least for 30 to 35 days.

Jack oliver wrote:Well I am happy that there are people who want to help other guys who are surviving this Nasal addiction.

There is a third treatment that works better.

Chicago Granny Absolutely there are many other treatments available and you have discussed the perfect one.

steamy showers

Hose_Head that can do wonders but one need to continue the treatments at least for 30 to 35 days.

Steamy showers are a recommended part of the treatment, not the only only strategy! Also, from my experience with Afrin rebound, the worst is over in 24 to 48 hours after which point I've always been able to manage it with nothing more than nasal irrigation and saline. I feel sorry for those who suffer for extended periods - 30 to 35 days would be intolerable.

Maybe switch to daily nasal rinsing (Water Pik works great with Sinublaster adapter) and cortico steroids once or twice per day. Much safer.

And it works.

Don't be afraid to try low humidity too - it may help dry out your sinuses and open them up. Not everyone thrives in high humidity.

Jack oliver wrote:i have spend years with Rebound Congestion

If it lasted for years, it was something besides rebound congestion.

englandsf wrote:Maybe switch to daily nasal rinsing (Water Pik works great with Sinublaster adapter) and cortico steroids once or twice per day. Much safer.

And it works.

No question this works for alot of people but you can't assume it works for everyone. Not to sound like a broken record, but your mileage will vary when trying advice provided on an internet board.

49er

I have had two friends that were addicted to Afrin and both said breaking the habit was the toughest thing they had ever done.

I can say from my experience that Afrin is really not suitable for long term use. 3 use in a row and rebound congestion is guaranteed!

only using it at night puts off the addiction/rebound effect hugely. (like up to a month, or more)

Steamy showers are a recommended part of the treatment

Yeah Hose_Head, Treatments are many but i think whatever suits you will be the best.I have tried it when i was suffering from it and it worked out.

Maybe switch to daily nasal rinsing

englandsf, that is kinda steam shower treatment as Hose_Head discussed previously. In most of cases i saw it returning back after we stop steamy showers or we can say nasal rinsing. I found weaning method the most useful one, that's why i have discussed about two methods only.

Hope everyone will get cured, who is suffering from this addiction.

How in the heck does one manage the rebound congestion with a CPAP nasal mask? I tried everything last night after the initial does wore off and I became congested again. I can't use the CPAP mask if I can't breathe through the mask.

Has anyone successfully used a CPAP machine and tried to get off the Afrin? I'd love to hear the CPAP side of this.

Thanks
Harry

IT's not just Afrin. I had the problem with Neosinephrine. This was decades ago. Getting off it was one of the hardest things I ever had to do.

The bottles should be marked with skull and crossbones!