I have been a pharmacist for 55 years and discovered this treatment years ago. Rebound congestion and rhinitis medicamentosa: Nasal decongestants in clinical practice. They work by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages. Sometimes people get stuck in this vicious cycle for years. The only thing that compels them to keep using Afrin is that they cannot breathe normally through their nose without repeatedly spraying oxymetazoline onto nasal passage tissues. A. So I have been searching and searching on different ways to get off of Afrin. If you can pop off the top of your afrin, just pour some saline in if not, squirt out some saline into a clean dish, point your afrin straight up and squeeze out some air, dip it into the saline and suck some up. I could not sleep well at all. (2009). Don't use a spray more than once every 12 hours, or longer than 3 days. 4. Now, I only use one spray in each nostril at night around 9 PM. It is a good practice for keeping your sinuses clean and removing irritants. I have read that green chile has medicinal properties. Li JTC. How To Wean Yourself Off Nasal Spray. How Can Breathing Exercises Help In The Treatment Of Anxiety Disorders? This allows the other nostril to adjust back to normal. Your strategy is intriguing. Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! Get your hearing checked today. How can you overcome such nose spray dependence? If my nose is plugged in the day I have to use something else. Overusing nasal decongestant sprays doesn't just mean using one or two extra doses. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, Substance addiction is a chronic, treatable medical disease that involves complex interactions among genetics, chemicals in the brain, a persons environment and a persons life experiences. This is just what I doI'm not a doctor so I can't recommend it. . My mom started me on it when I was a kid with bad allergies and then I couldnt stop. Unless you have intense cravings for nasal spray, youre probably dependent not addicted. At first, I started having bloody noses, but then that stopped and this current symptom started. Afrin, Oxymetazoline, Neo-Synephrine, Phenylephrine, and other over-the-counter decongestant sprays are common short-term remedies against nasal blockages, colds, sinusitis, and allergies. tardive psychosis. 2. I find that taking a steroid spray like Nasonex will help me get off the OTC spray or if I cant get an Rx for that, I get off the spray by using it in one nostril only until the nostril I am NOT using it in gets over the rebound effect then I discontinue altogether so I can breathe out of at least one nostril until I am off altogether. As a consequence, the user continues to spray in order to get rid of the stuffy nose and to breathe freely. Don't miss your FREE gift. Get emergency medical help right away . This is how to wean yourself off nasal spray. (2003). No signs of respiratory distress like agitation, diaphoresis or anxiety. It can be very effective in providing temporary relief from a stuffy nose, also known as nasal congestion. The suggestion to avoid stopping Flonase suddenly or cold turkey may be based on instructions for people who have been taking oral steroids and then start taking Flonase. (2013). If youre pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor before starting Flonase. The active substances xylometazoline and oxymetazoline cause blood vessels in the nasal mucosa to contract, which allows freer breathing. Hunker down and refuse to be smaller than that little white plastic you keep in your nightstand, car, desk, pocketbook, etc. Eventually reducing the decongestant content to zero. Fortunately, you can use saline nasal sprays as much as you want without harming nasal tissues. Hope that helps! . If youve never been dependent on a nasal spray like Otrivin, Zymelin or Rhinox, you probably have no idea what it means to have a stuffy nose. Maybe this will help someone else break an Afrin addiction. It is also useful in controlling nasal allergy symptoms. This speeds up the process of mucus removal normally done by cilia, or small hairs, in the passageways. How to get rid of the common cold quickly? This causes immediate withdrawal congestion. Therefore once the nasal spray addiction has been dealt with it may still be necessary to treat the cause of the original sinus condition such as infection or allergies. After the need to use decongestant nasal sprays for congestion associated with colds or allergies has passed, overcome rebound congestion by continuing to spray only one nostril. I knew they were addictive because my dad has been addicted to nasal sprays since I was a young child. As others have mentioned here, one nostril free breathing is tolerable. I would like to ask you a question - if you had a heart condition would you try and wean yourself of the heart tablets, or spray!!! People develop a tolerance to DNSs. Shake, spray often as soon as you start to stuff up. First we'll deal with helping you get off your nasal spray, and then with trying to prevent the same problem from recurring. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the first six months after birth and breast-feeding in combination with solids foods until at least age 1. You cannot breathe freely without nasal spray. For two or three days two weeks ago, one nostril woudl just not open. Research suggests that the best way to stop overusing DNSs is to switch to a steroid nasal spray. Treating nasal spray addiction with natural remedies is becoming more popular. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is available in a choice of formats, including: Gum nicotine is absorbed through the buccal mucosa, with peak plasma concentrations occurring after 20-30 minutes. The information on this site does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for proper medical care provided by a physician. Decongestants shrink the blood vessels in your nasal passages. medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697014.html, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/expert-answers/nasal-spray-addiction/faq-20058247, drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/science-drug-abuse-addiction-basics, researchgate.net/publication/5408947_Oxymetazoline_nasal_spray_three_times_daily_for_four_weeks_in_normal_subjects_is_not_associated_with_rebound_congestion_or_tachyphylaxis, Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP. The one nostril that tended to always be worse than the other is still a little stuffed at times, but there's virtually no pressure. Question posted by bobwhite23 on 25 June 2011. After a few days of using a decongestant nasal spray, your nasal membranes may become tolerant or less responsive to the effects of the medication. It is important to note that nasal spray addiction is a consequence of using a decongestant nasal spray to relieve the symptoms of a previous sinus condition. Energy-boosting coffee alternatives: What to know. The patients applying high flow nasal cannula and satisfying the following weaning criteria. The delicate lining of the nasal passages can be permanently damaged. I finally got off Afrin by using Flonase and diluting the last bottle of Afrin with saline. The Mayo Clinic notes that OTC nasal decongestant sprays dont cause the physiological cravings associated with addiction. I couldn't go anywhere with out worrying about when ill have to use it next because i can't breath without it. (topical vasoconstrictors) temporarily reduce the size of the nasal turbinates, open the nasal passages and provide relief from nasal congestion, etc. This congestion can only be alleviated by the continuous use of the nasal spray. Youcan also mix 2 teaspoons of ACV in 6 ounces of warm water and using a neti potor eye dropper, pour directly into the nasal passages. Bet you've found it doesn't last 12 hours anymore either? Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The Peoples Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The Peoples Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The Peoples Pharmacy website. Its not a perfect solution but it worked for me. Also, rebound congestion is not a medical disease involving the brain. Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School. Now I'm hooked. I couldnt go any longer than 15 minutes without it. Its a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and relieves itching. Just make sure the pak is unopened. After the need to use decongestant nasal sprays for congestion associated with colds or allergies has passed, overcome rebound congestion by continuing to spray only one nostril. He had to have nose surgery and something happened that made him constantly feel bunged up. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. What you have is a condition called rebound congestion - the only way to relieve rebound congestion is to administer another dose of the nasal spray, hence the addiction. Some people also use steroid nasal sprays to overcome nose spray dependency. Prolonged use of nasal sprays can, Cold Turkey If you are hardcore like me, the best option for you to break this medical addiction is. This is a sensible approach to overcoming nose spray dependence. For very severe cases, oral steroids may be necessary.See your doctor or pharmacist for more advice.Remember the next time you use a decongestant nasal spray not to use it for longer than recommended - usually around 4 to 5 days. How long does it take to get off nasal spray? Since the symptoms of sinusitis, allergies, and rhinitis are caused by inflammation it follows that by reducing inflammation you will reduce the severity of the symptoms. On top of that, there is a slight burning sensation from the saline solution that I was not comfortable with. Unfortunately, when the remedy has worn off, the swelling of the mucous membrane returns more violently than before. Sinusitis headache is my real problem. Flonase and Getting over the Anxiety it caused. DOI: Graf P. (1997). Non-Prescription Allergy Drugs: What Do You Need To Know About OTC Allergy Treatment? Eventually reducing the decongestant content to zero. When you have a stuffy nose, the blood vessels in your nasal passages are dilated. After three days, all the pressure was gone. Concise guide to getting off of Afrin nasal spray. Wean yourself off added sugar, gradually diminishing the amount you use each day over a period of days . We avoid using tertiary references. Proton-pump inhibitors: Should I still be taking this medication? To avoid getting into trouble with nasal spray, some people with allergies might want to try natural approaches: Some years ago I started taking one capsule of stinging nettle leaf a day to combat allergies. Let's look at treatment and support. Basically, your nasal tissues develop a tolerance to the spray and require that you use more of it to keep the blood vessels constricted. 2. how to beat afrin nasal addiction Wish me luck! It feels AMAZING to not be squirting my nose with that stuff every few hours, I slept through the night last night for the first time in a long time with out waking up to use more Afrin cus my sinuses were so closed off. (I found this would also work if I was just starting to get a sinus infection.). Since the rebound effect isnt an addiction, you can withdraw from daily Afrin use at home safely. I only use one half to one squirt at night before bed it helps me get a great nights sleep. I've been on the budesonide for a little over 3 weeks. Xylitol in nasal spray effectively eases congestion as well as decongestant nasal sprays (Cingi et al, International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, June 2014). Use a saline rinse to relieve congestion until all symptoms resolve. Only thing that worked for me. It is possible to gradually wean yourself off of the offending decongestant nasal spray. Afrin is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal area and helps fluid drain from your nasal passages to improve breathing. It strengthens the cardiovascular system. However, such nasal sprays have a big downside: nose spray addiction. First we'll deal with helping you get off your nasal spray, and then with trying to prevent the same problem from recurring. However, such nasal sprays have a big downside: nose spray addiction. You may find that the congestion got worse after you stopped using the nasal spray. The kit includes two bottles. Try an oral decongestant like Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) or Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) can help relieve inflammation and congestion in the nose after stopping a decongestant spray. Only $9.95 for a digital copy, or $11.95 for a physical copy, (prices INCLUDE any applicable taxes AND shipping and handling). 19. pairedlife.com. Reposition patient. Thats because after three or four days of near-constant use, the blood vessels in your schnoz start to depend on the spray. I really would like to come off of the Afrin but I am worried about having a clogged nose, Thanks for all your stories. The treatment of RM involves withdrawal of the offending nasal spray or oral medication, squeeze bottle quickly and firmly, 0 . Horak F, et al. I think the Flonase and the Sudafed worked perfectly to ease me off it. Common brand names include Nasacort and Flonase. Recommended Reading: Can You Get Addicted To Tramadol. Oxymetazoline helps shrink these blood vessels, giving you relief . It has no medicine and is just a nasal moistener. It can also treat any underlying bacterial/fungal infections and allergies that may have caused the initial sinus condition. The swelling leads to increased mucus production, which causes a runny nose. In fact, many researchers question whether its real. He then also prescribed Prednisone to use. 1. An isotonic solution has the same salt concentration as your body. One year follow-up of patients with rhinitis medicamentosa after vasoconstrictor withdrawal. Youre using it more frequently than directed. 1. Available for Android and iOS devices. It can improve shortness of breath. insomnia (inability to sleep) sweating. This allows the other nostril to adjust back to normal. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Here's what the research says about using essential oils to treat sinus congestion. Flonase is a brand name for fluticasone nasal spray. I had a full blown addiction to nasal spray before it was commonly known that it could happen. You need the nasal spray to keep the nose clear. This gives the blood vessels the opportunity to recover. The rebound effect will last for as long as you are using nasal decongestants. Mortuaire G, et al. It can be helpful during the process of weaning off a nose spray addiction. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It contains steroids and shouldnt cause a rebound effect. Rebound congestion is when nasal congestion gets worse because you have overused a nasal decongestant spray like Afrin (oxymetazoline) to treat your symptoms. It helps maintain (or build) muscle strength. A nasal spray addiction can be recognized by when you use nasal spray daily for more than two weeks. Will afrin nasal spray show up positive for a drug screen? This may help reduce inflammation and relieve nasal congestion. Addiction is categorized by intense cravings for a substance and an inability to stop using despite facing negative consequences. Do not apply supplemental O2 (remain on room air) Apply supplemental maintain O2 saturation 90% Assess the patient's Still looking for answers? Medication: they are not necessary to wean off, but I would recommend only stopping one at a time. Even when it's not winter, I can't breathe at night without it. 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