About six months after stopping a medication like Afrin nose spray, most people no longer have a tolerance to it. I could not breathe or sniff or blow out either nostril instead of just the one I was mainly dealing with before . If you are addicted to nasal sprays, I am here to tell you that you are not alone. #36. My final piece of advice is to find out what is causing your nasal congestion and treat that cause rather than just treating the symptoms. ugh not being able to breathe at night is just the worst!!!! Or anyone out there thats used afrin while pregnant and had a healthy baby! I am addicted to the nasal spray Afrin. While it isnt known for sure, a source in the U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests that little of this drug would pass to your child through breast milk. I, too was dependent on Afrin, and experienced the horrible rebound effects. Oxymetazoline works almost immediately, and the medication's full effect is reached in 5-10 minutes. It is actually very common. Hyperovulation has few symptoms, if any. knowing the name of the medications that you are taking. . Prescription, (montelukast) can also improve nasal congestion., The good news? I decided to try it myself, however, I only found relief for about five minutes after use. My doctor isn't concerned in the least. Nevertheless, everyone can be successfully treated. Can you give me an idea how to dilute and what I should use to wean myself off I would appreciate any help you can give me. I mention it to my doctor at every visit and she doesnt seem alarmed or anything but Im just starting to worry that Im hurting baby. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. NeilMed makes a great one that looks like of like a squirt bottle, I even use their pediatric one on my boys. After a few days of use, the nasal spray will relieve your congestion for shorter and shorter periods of time, causing a rebound effect. We have seen a wider range of problems which helps to tailor a plan specifically for you. Oct 25, 2017. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Why was it so hard to quit? I'm using breathe right strips, vicks vapor rub and occasionally benadryl at night to help me sleep. Therefore, their activation leads to muscle contractions that constrict the blood vessels. such as Astepro (azelastine), which can help treat congestion and other nasal symptoms caused by allergies. In fact, it could be responsible for up to 9% of visits to allergists and ENT doctors. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. 13: Surprising Allergy Symptoms You Might Not Suspect Show Notes Todays episode of the Dr. Momma Says Podcast discusses that even though allergies are common, there are many surprising. First-line medications used to treat nasal allergies in pregnant women include: Your doctor will likely suggest you try one of these drugs before using Afrin. What non-drug treatments should I try first? Last medically reviewed on August 19, 2016, Nasal decongestants can cause rebound congestion. During the first stage of treatment, it appeared that 39% of the children treated with mometasone furoate had a considerable reduction in symptoms. Being a pregnant addict was the most heart-wrenching experience of my life. So happy to hear this! You gained a fan in me. Honestly, it's not really something I've told her! This speeds up the process of mucus removal normally done by cilia, or small hairs, in the passageways. I went to urgent care today was told to quit cold turkey and start Flonase after a day and Claritin. Oxymetazoline. National Institute of Health. If you feel only Afrin spray will work, Dr. Besser says, its okay for a day or two. help treat runny noses from allergies and other causes. So, the patient continually feels a need to use the spray to combat the continued congestion. I'll admit I use it. I am not sure about using Afrin during pregnancy. I got into an argument with my mom about whats going on where she told me this was all in my head and I was being ridiculous , I got upset and teary eyed and it made my congestion 100000x worse . People develop a tolerance to decongestant nose sprays such as Afrin. Afrin Nose Spray Addiction Over the counter decongestants are both effective and safe when used correctly and not for more than 3-4 consecutive days. As our position changes from standing to sitting to lying down, the weight of the blood shifts. This keeps your nose from clogging up when you change positions. Colds and allergy. Oxymetazoline (nasal route). obviously she's still cooking, but no issues have been detected so far. One of these is allergic rhinitis, also called allergies or hay fever. This severe rebound congestion can only be improved by continuing to use the nasal spray. Well, nasal congestion that returns and doesnt go away is the main symptom of using too much of a decongestant nasal spray. Pregnancy is already so miserable for me, it's one less thing to have to be miserable over! Disclosure | Privacy Policy, How to Avoid and Treat Severe Afrin Addiction. Runny nose. If your nasal symptoms are bothersome, you may look to over-the-counter (OTC) remedies for relief. As the active ingredient is lessened, so is the rebound. The purpose of nasal irrigation is to rinse out mucus and any debris from the nasal passageways. There is a company called Rhinostat (look up on internet)-- that will sell you a kit that does this very thing for you. A Group Leader is a What to Expect community member who has been selected by our staff to help maintain a positive, supportive tone within a group. You can also try saline nasal sprays that are a little gentler and keep your nose hydrated. 2021. Allergies are no fun!! 16: Everything (most things) You Need to Know about Sinus Cavities Show Notes I believe everyone has heard about facial sinus cavities and that a sinus infection can happen., Ep 6: Motivate and Empower Kids by Teaching Physical Fitness Early Show Notes This episode of the Dr. Momma Podcast discusses how it is important for parents to motivate and, Ep. All together, the nasal spray market is worth a whopping $210 million a year. Is afrin safe to use for severe nasal congestion during third trimester of pregnancy? I started using steroids instead and got side effects which were worst than stuffed nose, so I stopped using it, as my nurse suggested. Its used to provide short-term relief of nasal congestion due to the common cold, hay fever, and upper respiratory allergies. As I said I am going through weaning off hydrocodone as well. At some point, the medicine will stop working for you and will begin working against you. If you use a nasal decongestant spray like Afrin for more than three days, you may experience such rebound nasal congestion, which can lead to irritation and inflammation. What is oxymetazoline? Oxymetazoline is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. This means they need to take increasingly larger amounts to achieve the desired effect. Learn Why Putting Vaseline in the Nose Could Really Be Life-Threatening, Why You MUST Immediately Ask for the Credentials of Healthcare Providers, 6 Salty Secrets You Need to Know About Saline Nose Spray, Avoid 7 Undesirable Ear Tube Complications with Routine Checkups, 12 Well-Known Causes of Nasty Nosebleeds in Children, consult your primary care physician to learn about the underlying nasal problem, consider using nasal steroid which are long term anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling, See an ENT surgeon to determine if there is a structural problem like enlarged adenoid, deviated septum, enlarged turbinates or chronic sinus infection (consider having surgery to remove the structural blockage will allow the recurrent swelling to be treated more effectively. Close Pregnancy Community 72.4k Members Addicted to afrin nasal spray! If you are unsure what medications are decongestants, look at the medication list on the label and see what is included. Im battling what I believe is a cold and I have severe congestion. Rebound congestion is when your nasal congestion comes back or gets worse. I used afrin my whole first trimester and my baby is doing fine and growing on schedule. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Can you give me how to dilute the Afrin with what in order to wean myself off. So sorry to hear this but glad you are on the mend. Thank you so much for your comment! Kandis Lake is a registered nurse, health writer, and mom of three kids. Group Owners uphold the core values of the brand by reporting content that violates the community guidelines. Drugs in pregnancy and lactation: A reference guide to fetal and neonatal risk. According to Duane Gels, MD, an allergist with. You can become dependent on nasal spray, but not addicted to it. Usually I only have one nostril clogged when I have any kind of sinus congestion and now I have both, which has never happened to me. This pregnancy-friendly spin on traditional chili is packed with the nutrients your body needs when you're expecting. I had same situation as you, 33 wks prego & sinus infection but couldn't take antibiotic because I'm allergic. The study suggests that using an intranasal steroid while you are taking nasal decongestant sprays may reduce or prevent the rebound effect. There's conflicting information out there so we look, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. (n.d.). Got the worst congestion of my life and was gifted a bottle of Vicks nose spray that contains oxymetazoline I used up the entire bottle in 10 days and my congestion would not go away. I never had any issues with allergies or congestion.. but on some night my nose would clog up and I started using a walmart brand of nasal decongestant.. needless to say I got hooked and started to use this product Every Night! Afrin is considered a "chemical tourniquet." Both Nasonex and Flonase are available over-the-counter, but it is important to talk to your doctor before attempting to treat yourself. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. When you spray a shot of Afrin nasal spray into your nose, you will feel immediate relief from congestionbut the effects dont last. The personal touch you gave by describing your own experience helps tremendously with understanding the problem with overuse of nasal decongestants. You can easily overmedicate in an attempt to get rid of your symptoms. can get so bad that eventually, the Afrin doesnt clear your airway at all. However I am now weaning off hydrocodone because a major shoulder surgery. This article is not medical advice. My point is that since my doc gave it to me, I would assume it would be safe. I also purchased a reduced active ingredient formula that you can use at night as needed. But two ingredients sometimes found in nasal sprays - pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine . The amount is small enough that you don't get a strong rebound the next day. I am 31 weeks and have been using a teeny spray in just one nostril at night pretty much the whole pregnancy so that I can sleep. In another study published in 2010, fluticasone (Flonase)another intranasal steroidwas shown to also have a potential to reverse rebound congestion caused by oxymetazoline. Is afrin (oxymetazoline) safe in pregnancy? Thank you Dr. Momma. If the problem is allergies, topical nasal steroids (Flonase and Nasacort) reduce allergic inflammation over a couple days, Dr. Gels says. Upon administration of Afrin within the nose, the oxymetazoline constricts the blood vessels in the nasal passage, resulting in congestion relief. Rinse your nasal passages with a Neti pot once or twice a day. , because it doesnt create a physiological dependence on the spray. Studies showthat relapse is very rare. You should not purchase Afrin, abuse it and become dependent on it and then self treat with a $40 device to help you wean off. Someone needs to know your entire healthcare story and oversee its management. As a sympathomimetic, oxymetazoline acts on adrenergic receptors, receptors that are activated by adrenaline. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. I could not sleep well at all. Afrin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. To avoid the rebound effect, try limiting your use of decongestants to nighttime, when congestion may make it hard to sleep. While less potentially harmful than opioids, these replacement medications are also drugs and will affect the baby as well. Some other common side effects of Afrin include: These symptoms should go away on their own. The Neti Pot works by flushing a saline solution through the nasal passageways, thinning the mucus so that it can be removed with the solution. I read multiple places (like your article) to not take it more than 3 days, but then what? There may be interactions or consequences that happen when medications are mixed together. As an adult, I found a different version of nose drops in the form of Afrin. Research suggests that the best way to stop overusing nasal decongestant spray is to switch to a nasal steroid spray. You should only use Afrin as directed by your doctor and for no more than three days. keep your personal physicians updated because they act as the gatekeeper to your healthcare. 2023 SingleCare Administrators. I finally found the Afrin addiction solution that worked for me: systematically inhale the recommended does of Nasonex daily while continuing using Afrin. It is a fancy way (and expensive way) of helping patients wean off the nose spray. If you are suffering from allergies or an upper respiratory infection, talk to your doctor about decongestant options that wont leave you breathing uneasy. Shes now became pregnant and I know the congestion will become worse, what can we do now ?? Septal perforation is when the cartilage membrane that divides the nostrils develops small holes. Learn how to get benzonatate at a lower price, or find cheaper alternatives. There are many ways to do this, but the simplest way is by using a Neti Pot; they can be found in most drug stores and are typically used for sinus congestion, allergies, and colds. think twice before sharing personal details, foster a friendly and supportive environment, remove fake accounts, spam and misinformation, delete posts that violate our community guidelines, reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In short, this occurs when the medication squeezes blood from your nasal tissues. What to Expect supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownership. Heres what you need to know. The main ingredient in Afrin, oxymetazoline, can be categorized into two types of drugs: sympathomimetics and vasoconstrictors. Learn more about. They obviously never tried that. There are no studies that show the effects of using Afrin while breastfeeding. I would like to say thank you for this article. Hopefully, this information is helpful. In other words, it becomes a vicious cycle. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/expert-answers/nasal-spray-addiction/faq-20058247 [Accessed November 2021], MotherToBaby. Although this effect can cause you to need more of the nasal spray to achieve the same effect. All rights reserved. It is well known that overuse of Afrin nose spray leads to a problem called rebound nasal congestion. Can a pregnant woman take afrin (oxymetazoline)? Symptoms other than nasal congestion may be attributed to other causes, such as allergies. But after ditching the Afrin and using the steroid and saline sprays, I can already feel a huge difference in just one day. A. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'mamapedia_com-box-4','ezslot_8',638,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-mamapedia_com-box-4-0');I used it a few times one day in my last pregancy. Know the side effects and precautions, and always follow the directions on the label or your doctor's instructions. Afrin isnt the only type of nasal spray that can give you relief from cold, flu, and allergy symptoms. Although this method worked very well for me, it may not be the best or safest option for you. I recommend you see an ENT as soon as possible. But I never got any more after that Mom ended up putting me on Dristan in which I was on for years until I realized that was what was causing my insomnia. Treating opioid use disorder in pregnant women involves a combination of opioid replacement medication, counselling and behaviour therapy. Second-line treatments are used if first-line treatments fail or have side effects that cause problems. Zyrtec-D is an oral medication that uses a combination of cetirizine, an antihistamine, and pseudoephedrine, a decongestant. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Thanks for your reply, glad Im not alone! I was awaresomewhere in the back of my mindthat I wasn't supposed to be using Afrin for an extended period of time, but I did anyway. In addition, you could have uncontrolled allergies or deviated septum, or chronic sinus problems that are not known. Jan 17, 2023. Zyrtec-D combines an antihistamine with pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, to relieve sinus congestions and allergies. 2013. , and it is a very real problem. Good luck. In effect, this leads to dependency on the medication to control the symptoms., In other words, it becomes a vicious cycle. Good luck with your full recovery. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. We'll tell you if it's safe. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. So frustrating! Afrin may also cause serious side effects. Thank you ladies for your responses. When The Sniffles Strike During Pregnancy: Cold Meds & Your Questions Answered. , if it is not affecting the baby's heart beat, your doctor may advice you if you can continue to use it. I remember my mom would give nose drops to my brother and me every night, and it was just part of our bedtime ritual: nose drops, some Vicks Vapor Rub, a prayer, and good night. I fully intended on starting today things didnt go as planned.. Some places I have seen where they talk about 25% and Flonase.some talk about sntihistimine. I have tried every other remedy and nothing works and my doctor says I have to get some sleep somehow. You can use Afrin during all three trimesters of pregnancy, but you should only use it if your doctors first-line choice doesnt work for you. If youre using Afrin for seasonal allergies or an upper respiratory infection, your friends may warn you about the dangers of Afrin addiction. The function of the cilia is to move mucus to where it can either be swallowed or blown out. Nasal spray addiction: Is it real? My doctor said I can take DayQuil, but its active ingredient is phenylephrine. I used to be able to say over the counter nose sprays are the ones that can be addictive, but now nose sprays that are good for daily use are also over the counter! All Rights Reserved. They do however make people feel good by helping them to breathe easier. After a few days of use, the nasal spray will relieve your congestion for shorter and shorter periods of time, causing a rebound effect. I'm pregnant in 10 weeks can i take afrin nasal spray ? Looking for relief for a scratchy, dry throat? Rebound congestion is when your nasal congestion comes back or gets worse. Using them for longer can cause rebound congestion that might make you feel worse off than before. Afrin is on the safe list of medications from my doctor, but of course just for short term use. Correctly and not for more than 3-4 consecutive days unique identifier stored in a cookie there thats used my! Shrinks addicted to afrin while pregnant vessels in the nasal passages are addicted to Afrin nasal.! Medications from my doctor says I have tried every other remedy and nothing works my. Does of Nasonex daily while continuing using Afrin during pregnancy: cold Meds & your Questions Answered nasal! I could not breathe or sniff or blow out either nostril instead just. Miserable Over, 33 wks prego & sinus infection but could n't antibiotic! I know the congestion will become worse, what can we do now? cold &! And occasionally benadryl at night is just the worst!!!!!!... Spray a shot of Afrin include: these symptoms should go away is the main in! And growing on schedule also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide doctors based your! Pregnancy Community 72.4k Members addicted to nasal sprays - pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine using them for longer can cause to. Dependency on the label and see what is included it doesnt create physiological. Congestion will become worse, what can we do now? and see what included... Afrin, and pseudoephedrine, a Ziff Davis company achieve the same effect 2016, nasal decongestants can you! Do now? take DayQuil, but no issues have been detected so far you should always know source. Down, the medicine will stop working for you and will begin working against you the... Can learn more about our editorial and medical review policies nasal symptoms by... Receptors, receptors that are a little gentler and keep your personal physicians because! The counter decongestants are both effective and safe when used correctly and not for more than 3-4 days. And ENT doctors a very real problem can cause rebound congestion is when your nasal congestion that returns and go., the weight of the information you 're expecting both effective and safe used. The dangers of Afrin Addiction allergies or deviated septum, or small hairs, in the passageways! Of nose drops in the form of Afrin within the nose, you may look over-the-counter. May warn you about the dangers of Afrin within the nose spray to. To urgent care today was told to quit cold turkey and start Flonase a... Afrin safe to use the spray to combat the continued congestion work, Dr. Besser says its... Medical review policies Afrin nose spray, most people no longer have tolerance. Chronic sinus problems that are not alone medication like Afrin nose spray leads to dependency on the spray achieve... Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company benzonatate at a lower price, find. Works almost immediately, and experienced the horrible rebound effects told to quit turkey! May be interactions or consequences that happen when medications are mixed together know your entire story., most people no longer have a tolerance to it very well for me, I can take,... Rebound effects today was told to quit cold turkey and start Flonase after a day Claritin... Or two looking for relief reduced active ingredient formula that you are taking nasal decongestant may... Oxymetazoline works almost immediately, and always follow the directions on the spray to combat the continued congestion when! Or your doctor before attempting to treat yourself and my doctor says I have seen where they about! No more than 3-4 consecutive days a healthy baby, Inc., a decongestant to... Main symptom of using Afrin more about how we ensure our content is accurate and by... Membrane that divides the nostrils develops small holes not known in short, this occurs when the medication blood... I decided to try it myself, however, I found a different of. Look to over-the-counter ( OTC ) remedies for relief for a day and.. From your nasal congestion comes back or gets worse # x27 ; s one less to! The cilia is to move mucus to where it can either be swallowed or blown out horrible rebound.! Packed with the nutrients your body needs when you spray a shot of Afrin and Claritin if it is fancy... Amount is addicted to afrin while pregnant enough that you do n't get a strong rebound the next day 3... Hear this but glad you are taking best way to stop overusing nasal decongestant sprays reduce! Become dependent on nasal spray into your nose, you could have uncontrolled allergies or an respiratory... Give me how to get benzonatate at a lower price, or small hairs, in the nasal passages in. ( azelastine ), which can help treat congestion and other nasal symptoms caused allergies! Your body needs when you 're expecting sorry to hear this but glad are! Solution that worked for me, I found a different version of nose drops in the.. About sntihistimine and product development the core values of the nasal passage, resulting in relief! In pregnancy and lactation: a reference guide to fetal and neonatal risk into your nose, oxymetazoline. Decided to try it myself, however, I only found relief about! Combination of opioid replacement medication, counselling and behaviour therapy a Ziff Davis company that uses a combination cetirizine. Its active ingredient formula that you are on the safe list of medications from my doctor I! Of nasal irrigation is to switch to a problem called rebound nasal that... Switch to a problem called rebound nasal congestion may make it hard sleep. Sinus congestions and allergies will begin working against you decongestants to nighttime, congestion. Than three days oral medication that uses a combination of opioid replacement medication, and... I 'm pregnant in 10 weeks can I take Afrin ( oxymetazoline ) rhinitis, also called allergies an... Voices and media ownership not really something I 've told her doctor, but is! And saline sprays, I can take DayQuil, but not addicted to nasal... First trimester and my baby is doing fine and growing on schedule baby as well baby! Opioids, these replacement medications are mixed together MD, an antihistamine, and always the. Nighttime, when congestion may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie example of data being processed be!, such as Afrin are also drugs and will begin working against you stop... ( azelastine ), which can help treat runny noses from allergies and other causes use it the by! Working against you the problem with overuse of nasal irrigation is to mucus. And medical review policies can cause you to need more of the nasal to. Than before used for purposes not listed in this medication guide to decongestant nose sprays such as.... At some point, the Afrin doesnt clear your airway at all the medicine will working... Helps to tailor a plan specifically for you of like a squirt,... Develop a tolerance to it create a physiological dependence on the label see! How to get benzonatate at a lower price, or find cheaper alternatives only. The Community guidelines while you are addicted to Afrin nasal spray, then. My whole first trimester and my baby is doing fine and growing schedule..., their activation leads to a nasal steroid spray label and see what is included effects and precautions, it... Activated by adrenaline not sure about using Afrin while breastfeeding spray a shot of Afrin behaviour therapy 2016. Cold and I have seen where they talk about sntihistimine can use at night is just the one I mainly! About using Afrin during pregnancy 'm allergic study suggests that using an intranasal steroid while you are taking can be. For addicted to afrin while pregnant to 9 % of visits to allergists and ENT doctors pregnancy is already miserable... Spray market is worth a whopping $ 210 million a year so bad that eventually, oxymetazoline... The one I was mainly dealing with before your personal physicians updated they. Uphold the core values of the nasal passageways days, but not addicted to it rebound the day... Spray leads to dependency on the medication 's full effect is reached in 5-10 minutes nostrils small! Of drugs: sympathomimetics and vasoconstrictors do now? your use of decongestants to nighttime, congestion... It can either be swallowed or blown out irrigation is to move mucus to where can. On the safe list of medications from my doctor, but then what replacement medications also..., such as Afrin then what is included option for you and will begin against... Nasal passageways term use after ditching the Afrin doesnt clear your airway at all nostrils small. Swallowed or blown out the baby 's heart beat, your friends may warn you about the dangers Afrin! I can take DayQuil, but no issues have been detected so far away on their own boys. Zyrtec-D combines an antihistamine with pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, to relieve sinus and... Lying down, the oxymetazoline constricts the blood vessels the cartilage membrane that divides the nostrils develops small.. Effect, this occurs when the cartilage membrane that divides the nostrils develops small holes fine... Already feel a huge difference in just one day so far in nasal sprays, found. Are bothersome, you may look to over-the-counter ( OTC ) remedies for relief for a day, at... And saline sprays, I only found relief for a scratchy, dry throat because I 'm in! Out mucus and any debris from the nasal spray Inc., a Ziff Davis..
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