Question 1

just opened afrin (oxymetazoline) and noticed it expired 10/14. can i still use it for 2 days for my cold?

Accepted Answer

Expired medications: Natural course medications in shelf degrade with time , becomes less potent than the therapeutic dose , some break down product may even harmful to health .Now no doctor will advise you to take  ' expired medication' even for cold take at your own risk .

Question 2

using afrin (oxymetazoline) and nasalcort together for one week trial.  will using afrin (oxymetazoline) for one week cause a rebound effect?  usually afrin (oxymetazoline) use no longer than 3 days

Accepted Answer

Variable: Everyone responds differently to medications. My experience has not shown rebound very often at one week of Afrin (oxymetazoline) use in most patients particularly when steroids used concurrently. Since you have BPH, Afrin (oxymetazoline) may increase your urinary difficulties, however and caution must be used. See your doctor if congestion worsens or difficulty urinating increases.

Question 3

can intermittent use of afrin cause rebound effect? i have read about use for more than 3-5 consecutive days but no information for taking a day or two off in between just one dose for one day. have been using it this way for about a month.

Accepted Answer

In my experience...: I'd use it for 3 days then off for 5-7 days.  That's what I tell my patients.  Not sure of any documented frequency to not use it.

Question 4

how long should i stop using oxymetazoline before i can use it again? for example: if i use it for 5 days, then stop for 5, then use it again, is that fine? or how should i use it?

Accepted Answer

3 d on 3 d off: The drug causes nasal capillaries to narrow &amp; reduce mucus flow. If given too many days in a row the effect stops &amp; a rebound where capillaries can/will leak more causing membrane swelling. You may want to try OTC steroid nasal spray once daily. This product stabilizes nasal tissues &amp; reduces the effect on allergens/irritants. It takes a week to see an effect but may end your need for the Oxy.

Question 5

is it safe to use afrin (oxymetazoline) every 10 days or so?

Accepted Answer

Yes, sounds like: it is not overusage.  You can develop dependence if you exceed product label instructions.

Question 6

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 7

if i use afrin once a day every other day for 3 days how long would i have to wait to use it again before it causes rebound congestion?

Accepted Answer

Short term only: Afrin is only meant for short term use. If you need something frequently then you need to try other medications like nasal steroids and nasal saline. You should not use Afrin more than three days in a month. More frequent use may cause rebound congestion.

Question 8

i get severely congested only at night and the only thing that helps is afrin (oxymetazoline) which can only be used for 3 days and the cold 60 and under. cause?

Accepted Answer

Humidifier: If youre using a heater, you might need a humidifier at night to moisten your mucosa.  Otherwise you can ask you doctor if he can prescribe you a nasal corticosteroids such as Flonase combined with an antihistamine like allegra. If you dont suffer from heart disease and hypertension, a short course of oral decongestants like sudafed might help also.  You can't use afrin more than 5 days.

Question 9

had a bad cold and used afrin (oxymetazoline).. on 5th day now. only needed it once today unlike other days. is it ok to still use tomorrow since i'm needing it less?

Accepted Answer

No: Stop the afrin immediately or you will develop rebound and rhinitis medicamentosa, a fancy name that will make your nose worse and breathing worse.  Otc nasal sprays should only be used for 3 days.  The cause of you nasal obstruction is usually a viral infection and saline irrigations are much more physiological and safer.

Question 10

i am wondering if i can take afrin again after having used it once five days ago. is it possible to get rebound congestion if i use afrin once tonight and once tomorrow night?

Accepted Answer

: Rebound nasal congestion would require much more frequent spraying of Afrin into your nasal passages. Your use of Afrin nasal decongestant spray appears quite appropriate.

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Doctor answers about:

Can I use afrin for a couple days on couple days off

A member asked:

Just opened afrin (oxymetazoline) and noticed it expired 10/14. can i still use it for 2 days for my cold?

A member asked:

Using afrin (oxymetazoline) and nasalcort together for one week trial. will using afrin (oxymetazoline) for one week cause a rebound effect? usually afrin (oxymetazoline) use no longer than 3 days

A member asked:

Can intermittent use of afrin cause rebound effect? i have read about use for more than 3-5 consecutive days but no information for taking a day or two off in between just one dose for one day. have been using it this way for about a month.

A member asked:

How long should i stop using oxymetazoline before i can use it again? for example: if i use it for 5 days, then stop for 5, then use it again, is that fine? or how should i use it?

A member asked:

Is it safe to use afrin (oxymetazoline) every 10 days or so?

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

If i use afrin once a day every other day for 3 days how long would i have to wait to use it again before it causes rebound congestion?

A member asked:

I get severely congested only at night and the only thing that helps is afrin (oxymetazoline) which can only be used for 3 days and the cold 60 and under. cause?

A member asked:

Had a bad cold and used afrin (oxymetazoline).. on 5th day now. only needed it once today unlike other days. is it ok to still use tomorrow since i'm needing it less?

A member asked:

I am wondering if i can take afrin again after having used it once five days ago. is it possible to get rebound congestion if i use afrin once tonight and once tomorrow night?

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