Question 1

what are the side effects of oxymetazoline hydrochloride?

Accepted Answer

Afrin (oxymetazoline): Hello. Oxymetazoline is the active ingredient in afrin nasal spray. If it is used beyond  5 days, it could cause rhinitis medicamentosa. This is a condition where your nose needs to continue to use the spray just to be able to breath in and out of your nose. This ingredient can also be linked to increased heart rate and blood pressure, insomnia and urinary incontinance.

Question 2

side effects of using afrin (oxymetazoline) for more than 3 days?

Accepted Answer

Afrin (oxymetazoline) side effects..: Side effects of using afrin for longer than 3 days include return and worsening of nasal congestion. Feeling nervous, headaches and insomnia are other possible side effects.

Question 3

using low dose afrin for chronic nasal stuffiness. what side effects?

Accepted Answer

Nasal Stuffiness: Afrin (oxymetazoline) works wonders for stuffiness but the nose can become addicted quickly so it is advised to not use afrin (oxymetazoline) more than three days in a row. See your doc. If you have not been allergy tested that would be helpful. Diet can lead to chronic stuffiness as well. You deserve a good evaluation.

Question 4

used oxymetazoline for 3 days when i had covid & then took a break, but used it a few more times after that. could that cause congestion as a side effect?

Accepted Answer

: This drug works by constricting the capillaries in the nasal membranes and reducing their leaking. Used for a few days followed by several days off the drug is best. Used often and enough, the constriction injures the capillaries &amp; they will break down &amp; leak, causing boggy congestion as a result. Staying off the drug for a week or two when that occurs allows recovery.

Question 5

is it ok to use afrin for a few days longer if i'm only doing it once in the evening, and only one one side per night, and alternating which nostril i'm spraying? so essentially i am treating one side every other night?

Accepted Answer

: Be aware that the chemicals in this product work by "shrinking" the capillaries. Over time repeated chemical treatment will cause the capillaries to leak and bogginess of the nasal passages to resist any treatment. You may be able to get by with what you are doing or may not. Using an OTC nasal steroid may provide better long term help.

Question 6

not a congestion issue; sleep on right side-breathe fine. sleep on left side; gravity pulls blood into either left inferior turbinate; or septal tissue. which structure would gravity affect? afrin helps; but can't use long term?

Accepted Answer

: Sounds like you sinus is draining when sleeping on right side. Sleeping on other side gravity would effect both I would think.

Question 7

i have been using nose spray for approximately 45 years 2 or more times a day(like afrin (oxymetazoline) and 4-way) could i get cushing' disease and what other side e?

Accepted Answer

No: You cannot get cushings' syndrome, the result of taking large amounts of corticosteroids, from decongestant sprays like afrin. You can become and probably are dependent on these sprays, a condition called rhinitis medicamentosa. You also cannot get cushings' from using topical corticosteroid nasal sprays. The dose is just too low to cause such a side-effect.

Question 8

chronic nasal congestion for years. use a lot of afrin it is congested mostly on right side. seeing blood when blowing nose & have had a few bleeds ?

Accepted Answer

See a doctor: This needs medical attention. Most likely allergic sinusitis, but could be an infection that needs an antibiotic. Nasal or sinus cancer is far less likely, but you shouldn't take the chance. Frequently using Afrin and related sprays makes them work less well, don't last as long, leading to more frequent and  unnecssary dosing. You might be allergic to it; try saline spray instead. See doctor soon.

Question 9

is there still oxymetazoline in dristan?

Accepted Answer

Yes in the spray: The spray form has oxymetazoline.  The oral form does not.

Question 10

should i use expired afrin (oxymetazoline)?

Accepted Answer

Probably OK: If the bottle was unopened but is otherwise intact, then you can try to use it and see if the effect you get is what is to be expected.  The components will not expire on the expiration date but might be a slightly less power over time.  They will not decay or change to something harmful; just a little less effective.

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Doctor answers about:

Afrin side effects

A member asked:

What are the side effects of oxymetazoline hydrochloride?

A member asked:

Side effects of using afrin (oxymetazoline) for more than 3 days?

A member asked:

Using low dose afrin for chronic nasal stuffiness. what side effects?

A member asked:

Used oxymetazoline for 3 days when i had covid & then took a break, but used it a few more times after that. could that cause congestion as a side effect?

A member asked:

Is it ok to use afrin for a few days longer if i'm only doing it once in the evening, and only one one side per night, and alternating which nostril i'm spraying? so essentially i am treating one side every other night?

A member asked:

Not a congestion issue; sleep on right side-breathe fine. sleep on left side; gravity pulls blood into either left inferior turbinate; or septal tissue. which structure would gravity affect? afrin helps; but can't use long term?

A member asked:

I have been using nose spray for approximately 45 years 2 or more times a day(like afrin (oxymetazoline) and 4-way) could i get cushing' disease and what other side e?

A member asked:

Chronic nasal congestion for years. use a lot of afrin it is congested mostly on right side. seeing blood when blowing nose & have had a few bleeds ?

A member asked:

Is there still oxymetazoline in dristan?

A member asked:

Should i use expired afrin (oxymetazoline)?

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