Question 1

what can i do if i overdosed on afrin (oxymetazoline)?

Accepted Answer

Cold turkey: Technically, you don't overdose on afrin, you become addicted to it due to the rebound swelling of your nasal membranes after using it for more than a few days.  Your physician can prescribe a nasal spray that is not addicting and add a steroid tablet if severe.

Question 2

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 3

if i used afrin three times in a course of a week but not consecutively , could this cause rebound congestion? if so, how long does it take to resolve itself?

Accepted Answer

: Afrin contains a medication that reduces swelling by constricting the local capillaries. Over time with repeated use that trauma can cause the capillaries to leak causing the rebound congestion. Usually that would occur after 3 or more days in a row of use. Some may use a greater amount per treatment increasing the risk. Doing the minimal needed for improvement every other day may be tolerated.

Question 4

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 5

what is the treatment for oxymetazoline overdose?

Accepted Answer

Steroids: The immediate cessation of the nasal spray and the use of oral steroid for several weeks may reverse this condition known as rhinitis medicamentosa.  The main thing to do once this condition, hopefully is reversed,  is to obtain a specific diagnosis such as nasal allergy or hypertrophy (enlargement) of the inferior turbinates. Surgery to reduce the size of the inferior turbinates may be curative.

Question 6

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 7

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 8

will using afrin (oxymetazoline) at night cause insomnia?

Accepted Answer

Afrin (oxymetazoline) at night: I use diluted afrin (about 1 part afrin, 4 parts water) every night, and i sleep better (due to relief of nasal congestion). It has never kept me awake. The medication does not go into the system, just the nasal passages.

Question 9

will using afrin (oxymetazoline) at night cause me to sleep better?

Accepted Answer

Using Afrin (oxymetazoline) at night: The usual instruction for afrin (oxymetazoline) is not to use for more than 3 consecutive days. In my own experience, due to allergies, my nose is completely blocked every night. I have learned to use afrin (oxymetazoline) every night, but my ENT physician made the suggestion to dilute the afrin (oxymetazoline) with water by about 1:5 . This way you can use it every night without significant daytime rebound. Have used this for 5 years.

Question 10

can you take many sprays of afrin (oxymetazoline) in one day without overdosing?

Accepted Answer

Not advisable: The usual dosing of afrin for an adult is 2 sprays/nostril twice a day. Any more is overdosing. It does not give incrementally improved results and risks you complications like headache, insomnia and nervousness. Absolute maximum time of usage of afrin is 5 days. Longer than this leads to tachphylaxis and worsening of nasal congestion. If you find yourself chronically congested, see your doctor.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Cause of afrin overdose

A member asked:

What can i do if i overdosed on afrin (oxymetazoline)?

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:

If i used afrin three times in a course of a week but not consecutively , could this cause rebound congestion? if so, how long does it take to resolve itself?

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:

What is the treatment for oxymetazoline overdose?

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:

Will using afrin (oxymetazoline) at night cause insomnia?

A member asked:

Will using afrin (oxymetazoline) at night cause me to sleep better?

A member asked:

Can you take many sprays of afrin (oxymetazoline) in one day without overdosing?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?