Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesWarnings and ContraindicationsSide Effects and RisksIf It Doesn’t Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Warnings and Contraindications
Side Effects and Risks
If It Doesn’t Help
This explains how Afrin works, some of the common side effects of Afrin, and why using too much Afrin or using it for a long time can lead to rebound congestion.
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What Causes Nasal Congestion?
What Is Afrin Used For?
Afrin is a decongestant medication used to reduce nasal and sinus stuffiness. It’s commonly used to treatcongestion from the common coldor allergies.
Being congested can also cause difficulty breathing through your nose while you’re sleeping and may contribute tosnoringorsleep apnea. Afrin can help with these symptoms.
How Afrin Works
Afrin comes in a squirt bottle that you can spray into your nostrils. It stimulates receptors in the smooth muscle of theblood vesselsin the nose and makes them narrow (constrict). When the blood vessels constrict, it reduces nasal congestion.
What to Do if You Overdose on AfrinIf you think you have used too much Afrin, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If someone has overdosed on Afrin and is not breathing, call 911.
What to Do if You Overdose on Afrin
If you think you have used too much Afrin, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If someone has overdosed on Afrin and is not breathing, call 911.
What Is Rebound Congestion?
Who Should Not Use Afrin
Some people should not use Afrin, including
If you have these health conditions, talk to your provider before you use Afrin:
You may need to avoid using Afrin if you take certain medications. Talk to your provider about Afrin if you are taking:
How Saline Sprays Relieve Nasal Congestion
Afrin Side Effects
Afrin can cause side effects. Most of them are not serious and will go away as soon as you stop using the medication.
You may feel mild stinging in your nose when you first use Afrin, but this should go away after using it a few times. Other common side effects include:
It’s less common, but there are also some potentially serious side effects of Afrin that require medical attention, including:
Afrin is meant to provide short-term relief. You cannot get addicted to Afrin the way you can get addicted to other drugs. However, if you use Afrin too often, you use too much, or you use it for longer than a few days, it can cause your congestion to get worse (rebound congestion).
Is Afrin Addictive?
When to Worry About Nasal Congestion
If Afrin Does Not Work
Afrin is safe and effective when it’s used properly. If your symptoms are not improving after you’ve used Afrin according to the directions, you’ll need to talk to your provider about other treatments.
For example, if you have chronic nasal congestion, prescription therapy with the use of anasal corticosteroidcan be helpful.
Summary
Afrin is a common decongestant medication used to treat cold and allergy symptoms. It is sold over-the-counter (OTC). While Afrin can be a safe and effective treatment for nasal congestion when it is used according to the directions, overusing Afrin can lead to rebound congestion.
If you have been using Afrin for three days and it hasn’t helped your symptoms, stop using it and let your provider know. You might need a different treatment, like nasal steroids, for your congestion.
Using Nasal Steroids for Congestion
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray.Afrin.FAQs.Poison Control.Is Afrin addictive?.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray.Afrin.FAQs.Poison Control.Is Afrin addictive?.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine.Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray.Afrin.FAQs.Poison Control.Is Afrin addictive?.
National Library of Medicine.Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray.
Afrin.FAQs.
Poison Control.Is Afrin addictive?.
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