Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Afrin is sold over-the-counter as a nasal spray and works as a decongestant. Its generic name is oxymetazoline nasal. Applied as a spray into the nostrils, it may provide temporary relief from nasal congestion commonly associated with allergies or colds.
What are the uses of Afrin? Explore how it works, some of the common side effects, and why it shouldn't be used on a long-term basis to treat stuffiness and difficulty breathing through the nose due to the risk of "addiction" and rebound congestion with overuse. Afrin is a medication that is used as a decongestant to reduce nasal and sinus stuffiness.
This congestion may be present as part of the common cold or in the setting of allergies. It may lead to difficulty breathing through the nose in sleep and contribute to snoring or sleep apnea. Afrin provides temporary relief of these symptoms.
It is a solution that's applied as a squirt into the nostril. Many saline nasal sprays contain preservatives. These preservatives may cause irritation if your nose is inflamed or damaged.
However, if your nose is irritated by dry winter air, saline sprays can add healing moisture. Some nasal sprays contain corticosteroids that help reduce swelling in the nasal passages. Steroid sprays work best for chronic congestion caused by allergies or irritants. Some steroid sprays require a prescription from your doctor, while others are available at your local drugstore.
Common brand names include Nasacort and Flonase. Some nasal sprays contain antihistamines, which work to reduce congestion caused by an allergic immune response. Sprays containing azelastine Astelin and Astepro have proven to be very safe. Studies show that azelastine nasal spray is more effective than oral antihistamines like Benadryl and some corticosteroid nasal sprays.
Most DNSs contain oxymetazoline Afrin and generic brands. They work by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages. DNSs are best for colds, flus, or other short-term problems.
This makes them feel blocked. The swelling leads to increased mucus production, which causes a runny nose. When DNSs shrink blood vessels, they reduce the inflammation and the associated mucus production. Some side effects can be serious. Rebound congestion refers to the unfortunate phenomenon in which using DNSs for too long causes — rather than prevents — congestion. Some research shows that the longer you use a DNS, the more you build up a tolerance. Drug tolerance means that you require increasingly larger and more frequent doses to achieve the desired effects.
Decongestants shrink the blood vessels in your nasal passages. When the drug wears off, they swell up again. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references DeShazo RD, et al. Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. Accessed Nov. Understanding the different types of nasal sprays.
The American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. Drug, brains, and behavior: The science of addiction. Segboer C, et al. Intranasal corticosteroids for non-allergic rhinitis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. See also Allergies Allergies and asthma Allergy education Allergy medications: Know your options Allergy skin tests Allergy-proof your home Anaphylaxis Aspirin allergy Atopic dermatitis eczema Atopic dermatitis: 6 ways to manage itchy skin Atopic dermatitis: Proper bathing can reduce itching Atopic dermatitis: Understand your triggers Avoid rebound nasal congestion Bradycardia Breast-feeding and medications Supraventricular Tachycardia Can baby eczema be prevented?
Can I exercise if I have atopic dermatitis? After a few days of use, the nasal spray will relieve your congestion for shorter and shorter periods of time, causing a rebound effect.
The problem can go on for years. The best way to break the cycle of Afrin addiction, Dr. Besser advises, is to stop taking the medication cold turkey. In severe cases, an oral steroid can be prescribed, which may help. Gels adds that saline spray might help to reduce the inflammation. If you feel only Afrin spray will work, Dr. Prescription Singulair can also improve nasal congestion. Rebound congestion is a surprisingly common problem that can cause you years of agonized breathing.
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