How do you reverse the nasal spray addiction?
Rebound congestion treatment The best way to break the cycle of Afrin addiction, Dr. Besser advises, is to stop taking the medication cold turkey. “Expect to be miserable for a few days while the body recovers,” she says. “One can use a nasal steroid (such as Flonase) to help limit the symptoms while the body recovers.
How long does it take to recover from nasal spray addiction?
Recovery typically takes less than one week and withdrawal symptoms can be easily managed. Research suggests that the best way to stop overusing DNSs is to switch to a steroid nasal spray. About six months after stopping a DNS, most people no longer have a tolerance to it. Studies show that relapse is very rare.
Can you have withdrawals from nose spray?
Your congestion is getting worse, even though you’ve increased the nasal spray dose and how often you use it. You have symptoms of withdrawal. When you stop the spray you get headaches, sleep trouble, restlessness, and anxiety.
Why are nasal sprays addictive?
The Rebound Effect Your nose might not react to the medicine the same way it did when you first started to take it, and you might have to use more to ease your congestion. If you stop using the nasal spray, your congestion could get worse. That’s why some people think you can become addicted to nasal sprays.
What nasal spray is addictive?
THERE IS ONE TYPE OF NASAL SPRAY THAT IS “ADDICTIVE” These are nasal decongestant sprays such as OXYMETAZOLINE (AFRIN®, SINEX, SUDAFED NASAL SPRAY) or NEOSYNEPHRINE! This medication is marketed as a nasal decongestant spray and is found under many different names.
Why do you get addicted to nasal spray?
What is the best non addictive nasal spray?
Nasal steroids sprays (Flonase®, Nasocort®, Nasonex®, etc. ) are safe to use on a daily basis and are now largely over-the-counter. These sprays are non-addictive and typically do not cause any long term changes to the nasal passages.
Does rebound congestion go away?
Once you have rebound congestion, the most important thing to know is that it won’t go away as long as you keep using the spray. And once you stop using the spray, the resulting congestion can take a week or longer to go away. Lastly, depending on how long you’ve been using the spray, quitting cold turkey can be tough.
What is rebound effect of nasal sprays?
Rebound congestion is a worsening of your nasal congestion due to nasal decongestant sprays such as Afrin (oxymetazoline). Rebound congestion is also known as rhinitis medicamentosa, chemical rhinitis, nasal spray addiction.
What kind of nasal spray is addictive?
Are nasal sprays habit forming?
“Over-the-counter nasal sprays, however, don’t cause the same physiological cravings.” While the rebound effect of some nasal sprays isn’t a true addiction, they can lead to negative consequences such as rhinitis medicamentosa (rebound congestion), chronic sinusitis and other long-term problems.
