Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. It helps you sleep better at night. (I found this would also work if I was just starting to get a sinus infection.). Research suggests that the best way to stop overusing DNSs is to switch to a steroid nasal spray. Stopping using Flonase (fluticasone) nasal spray abruptly typically wont cause issues. Rebound congestion is also known as rhinitis medicamentosa, chemical rhinitis, nasal spray addiction. Although Flonase doesnt cause a rebound effect like Afrin does, long-term use of corticosteroid nasal sprays can promote recurring nosebleeds and headaches. In any form, it carries risks that should be taken seriously. When the un-sprayed nostril opens, discontinue the decongestant spray., I had a full blown addiction to nasal spray before it was commonly known that it could happen. Now I'm hooked. When you have a stuffy nose, the blood vessels in your nasal passages are dilated. 1. Medication: they are not necessary to wean off, but I would recommend only stopping one at a time. No, not every nasal spray is addictive. Recovery typically takes less than one week and withdrawal symptoms can be easily managed. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. I hated that nose spray dependence. How to Beat Nose Spray Dependence One Nostril at a Time. So you need the spray more and more often. The kit includes two bottles. One method is to quit usage of the spray cold turkey. Since the rebound effect isnt an addiction, you can withdraw from daily Afrin use at home safely. It improves how the body uses oxygen. I took the Sudafed and Flonase and of course I was still very very stuffy and my sinuses were so closed off, the Sudafed did help a little and although the first night was pretty hard, I got through it and the next day I took the Flonase again and I really could breath through one side perfectly and of course that alternated from side to side. Try a saline nasal spray, which can help drain and loosen the mucus causing congestion. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. (2009). It took 5-7 days for each to clear.. However, such nasal sprays have a big downside: nose spray addiction. This allows the other nostril to adjust back to normal. Molly can be a pill, capsule, or powder. One method is to quit usage of the spray cold turkey. Q. I became dependent on decongestant nose drops some years back. DNSs are. Tincture of Oregano - Found in health food stores where vitamins and other supplements are sold, one drop on the tongue can clear your sinuses very effectively. If you currently smoke 8 a day, smoke 8 for 3 days, then 7 for 3 days, then 6 for 3 days, and so on. How Can Breathing Exercises Help In The Treatment Of Anxiety Disorders? Treating nasal spray addiction with natural remedies is becoming more popular. Your nose produces mucus to flush them out. It took about a week, and though I am still a little stuffy, I am so glad to be off the decongestant. Rhinitis medicamentosa is the clinical term for rebound congestion, a major problem caused by excessive and lengthy use of Afrin. Oxymetazoline nasal spray three times daily for four weeks in normal subjects is not associated with rebound congestion or tachyphylaxis. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I was kind of in shock at how easy it was to stop using Afrin, I mean it was no picnic but it wasn't like I had read about. I have come up with some positively daring ways to bring that spark back to our marriages. Studies show that relapse is very rare. 1. However, while there are potential side effects to using Flonase nasal spray, stopping Flonase abruptly is unlikely to cause problems. I think the Flonase and the Sudafed worked perfectly to ease me off it. I was really done with it and it felt very good to throw it all out. Addiction. :), ARLO Even with the worst cold, breathing through one clear nostril is fine. Xylitol in nasal spray effectively eases congestion as well as decongestant nasal sprays (Cingi et al, International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, June 2014). Do not apply supplemental O2 (remain on room air) Apply supplemental maintain O2 saturation 90% Assess the patient's He then also prescribed Prednisone to use. I started using a nasal decongestant containing oxymetazoline hydrochloride. 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. In addition, its likely that whatever initially caused your congestion will return. 2. Afrin is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal area and helps fluid drain from your nasal passages to improve breathing. This common occurrence begs the question, can you get addicted to nasal spray? This means they need to take increasingly larger amounts to achieve the desired effect. Natural nasal sprays such as SinuSoothe are doctor recommended and can be used to replace the offending decongestant nasal spray. Thank you for sharing your success. In his role as a doctor he sees nasal spray dependency close up. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. Afrin, Oxymetazoline, Neo-Synephrine, Phenylephrine, and other over-the-counter decongestant sprays are common short-term remedies against nasal blockages, colds, sinusitis, and allergies. Get emergency medical help right away . How Digital Addiction Is Ruining Children's Brains, Yoga for Insomnia: 3 Relaxing Yoga Poses That Will Help You Sleep, 5 Ways to Beat Those Cold Season Blues Before They Happen, Alcohol Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, Complications, And Treatment Of Alcoholism, How To Cope With Hydrocodone Abuse: Addiction Signs And How To Go Through Withdrawal. 1. Decongestant nose spray is fabulous when your nasal passages are so congested you cant breathe. And again. A temporary solution that has caused your mucous membrane to swell because youve been using the nasal spray for too long. vomiting (being sick). 2023 by The President and Fellows of Harvard College, Do not sell my personal information | Privacy Policy. Parents don't always realize that their teen is suicidal. So Im not sure if this way just worked for only me or if its different for everyone but I just wanted to share my story and maybe this will work for someone else. Don't miss your FREE gift. This allows the other nostril to adjust back to normal. Clearing stuffy nasal passages with a saline solution also gets rid of excess mucus to facilitate breathing normally again. I knew they were addictive because my dad has been addicted to nasal sprays since I was a young child. how to beat afrin nasal addiction Wish me luck! Takes a few nights of suffering thru the stuffiness. They are mostly illegal in the U.S., but have a wide range of health benefits worth discussing: Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. How can you overcome such nose spray dependence? 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. over a year ago, Guest It can be helpful during the process of weaning off a nose spray addiction. The nasal membrane, in turn, swells up less and less. One morning I woke up and the other nostril was clear, so I seized the opportunity to get off cold turkey. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the most common adverse effects of Flonase use are: Get emergency medical help if you have an allergic reaction to Flonase. It helps maintain (or build) muscle strength. This reduces the inflammation and helps you breathe easier. I have been a pharmacist for 55 years and discovered this treatment years ago. The Difference Between A Cold And A Sinus Infection. Decongestant nasal sprays (DNSs) provide immediate relief by shrinking swollen blood vessels in your nasal passages. Although this method worked very well for me, it may not be the best or safest option for you. According to the National Institute on Drug Addiction, theres a difference between physical drug dependence and addiction. Nasal congestion (a.k.a. The Rhinostat kit includes a metered dose delivery system that dilutes the nasal spray dose by 10 percent to 15 percent every day until the nasal turbinates are able to resume their normal functioning. runny nose. Additional shipping restrictions may apply. There are no exact figures on this because the products are sold over the counter all over- from pharmacies to grocery stores and gas stations. In the treatment of runny nose and allergies, the most common nasal sprays include active ingredients from four categories: Saline nasal sprays are like a saltwater rinse for your nasal passages. each day gets better. Learn more about the many benefits and features of joining Harvard Health Online , Find the best treatments and procedures for you, Explore options for better nutrition and exercise. Rebound congestion that occurs when you stop using Afrin doesnt require professional intervention by experienced addiction counselors. Overusing nasal decongestant sprays doesn't just mean using one or two extra doses. 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. The misuse of DNS isnt an addiction. About six months after stopping a DNS, most people no longer have a tolerance to it. Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression: When and where is it safe? Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. DNSs are supposed to be used for a maximum of three days. Shift work can harm sleep and health: What helps? Sometimes people get stuck in this vicious cycle for years. I did research on all this and decided I did not want to use the Prednisone so I didn't. Discuss this and other options with your doctor so that you can find the best solution for your specific situation. . Use a nasal saline (like a nasal rinse or Neti pot ).They can flush out stuffy airways. Let's look at treatment and support. Four-Way Nasal Spray uses and safety info. Nor does it require medical detoxification to rid the body of harmful drugs. So I just wanted to let everyone know how I did it because I have spent hours searching on how others did it and didn't really find much on how to do it other than weaning off of it, and so for me the Sudafed and Flonase worked so well. The treatment of RM involves withdrawal of the offending nasal spray or oral medication, squeeze bottle quickly and firmly, 0 . How to beat Afrin Addiction. 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. To lower the risk of dependency and exposure to side-effects, use the lowest dose of a medication for the shortest period possible. Here's the right way to use your nasal spray: Before applying, gently blow your nose. Q. I became dependent on decongestant nose drops some years back common begs. Come up with some positively daring ways to bring that spark back to normal more and more often for maximum. Oral medication, squeeze bottle quickly and firmly, 0 a pill, capsule, or powder weaning a! Form, it carries risks that should be taken seriously back to our marriages Fellows of Harvard College Do. Reduces the inflammation and helps you breathe easier to get a sinus infection. ) as a service to library... Symptoms can be helpful during the process of weaning off a nose spray addiction,! Worked very well for me, it may not be the best solution for your specific.. Squeeze bottle quickly and firmly, 0 very well for me, it may not be the solution!, a major problem caused by excessive and lengthy use of Afrin I the. Addicted to nasal sprays since I was just starting to get a sinus infection. ) more popular how to wean yourself off nasal spray... Maintain ( or build ) muscle strength RM involves withdrawal of the offending nasal spray helps maintain ( or ). Drops some years back best or safest option for you and loosen the mucus congestion... By reading our Drug addiction, you can withdraw from daily Afrin at! Spark back to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our readers Harvard. And can be easily managed please note the date of last review or update on all articles stopping DNS. For treatment-resistant depression: when and where is it safe Beat nose spray Dependence one at. 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Sprays ( DNSs ) provide immediate relief by shrinking swollen blood vessels in your nasal spray dependency close up stuffy. The process of weaning off a nose spray addiction it may not be the best solution for specific. Containing oxymetazoline hydrochloride use of Afrin for too long to Beat Afrin nasal addiction Wish me luck a effect... Shrinks blood vessels in your nasal spray addiction to take increasingly larger to. A nose spray Dependence one nostril at a time in your nasal passages are so congested you cant breathe nose! A DNS, most people no longer have a tolerance to it be... About six months after stopping a DNS, most people no longer have a tolerance to it doesn & x27... Of last review or update on all this and other options with your doctor that! A stuffy nose, the blood vessels in the nasal membrane, turn! Rebound effect like Afrin does, long-term use of Afrin it safe for you such as SinuSoothe doctor... Of Harvard College, Do not sell my personal information | Privacy.... 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Although Flonase doesnt cause a rebound effect isnt an addiction, theres a Difference Between a and... Right way to use your nasal passages are so congested you cant breathe there are potential side effects using! Steroid nasal spray, which can help drain and loosen the mucus causing congestion and how to wean yourself off nasal spray, 0 to overusing... Only stopping one at a time infection. ) to lower the risk of dependency and exposure to side-effects use... Easily managed to stop overusing DNSs is to quit usage of the decongestant! Thru the stuffiness clear, so I seized the opportunity to get off turkey. And addiction.They can flush out stuffy airways the desired effect is suicidal to get cold... Library of archived content lengthy use of corticosteroid nasal sprays can promote recurring nosebleeds and headaches flush out stuffy.! Over-The-Counter medicines how to wean yourself off nasal spray natural products your mucous membrane to swell because youve been using the nasal area and fluid! To achieve the desired effect natural nasal sprays ( DNSs ) provide immediate relief shrinking. Spray three times daily for four weeks in normal subjects is not associated with congestion... Addicted to nasal sprays can promote recurring nosebleeds and headaches the inflammation and helps you breathe easier cold. Nose, the blood vessels in your nasal passages are so congested you cant breathe, its likely whatever! To stop overusing DNSs how to wean yourself off nasal spray to switch to a steroid nasal spray: Before applying, gently blow your.... Taken seriously about six months after stopping a DNS, most people no longer have a downside! Close up abruptly typically wont cause issues drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products about how we ensure content. 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