When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. 2021. Find out the safety precautions with Afrin and what your other options are for treating your allergy symptoms. According to. Afrin (oxymetazoline) in pregnancy: At this stage in pregnancy, if it is not affecting the baby's heart beat, your doctor may advice you if you can continue to use it. The category that can lead to worsening problems is called a decongestant, and this includes Afrin. Sneezing due to irritation (sneezing stops after irritation diminishes) Many people who use Afrin for over a week or more experience these side effects when Afrin starts wearing off and sinus tissues begin swelling again. Shes now became pregnant and I know the congestion will become worse, what can we do now ?? We have seen a wider range of problems which helps to tailor a plan specifically for you. . One squirt in each nostril. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911. containing fluticasone and azelastine, are available by prescription. ) Each has a different effect: Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed): Constricts the flow of blood to the nasal passages, can be absorbed systemically. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. By taking Zyrtec-D and diluting my Afrin nasal spray solution with saline, I was able to taper off Afrin. There may be structural damage, such as saddle nose deformity and septal perforation. First-line medications used to treat nasal allergies in pregnant women include: Your doctor will likely suggest you try one of these drugs before using Afrin. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. However, like many drugs, Afrin comes with unique considerations during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The good news? Afrin may also cause serious side effects. The constant reduction in blood flow can manifest itself through physical damage to the nasal passage. Oh goodness, this is not a good thing. If you feel only Afrin spray will work, Dr. Besser says, its okay for a day or two. Although this effect can cause you to need more of the nasal spray to achieve the same effect, its not a true addiction, because it doesnt create a physiological dependence on the spray. After your symptom flareup has resolved, you should be able to return to the antihistamine without the decongestant. In other words, it becomes a vicious cycle. We respect everyones right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expects Terms of Use. I also do the saline nasal rinses, and they help a ton too! Pseudoephedrine Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings. #36. I hope others who are wishing to overcome Afrin addiction read this and consider your actionable, practical advice. Oxymetazoline is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Gradually decrease the Afrin from the number of sprays you use daily down to one - and then none. You are only supposed to use it three days max or you get a rebound congestion (your nose gets "addicted). Treatment of allergic rhinitis during pregnancy. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. but my dr also knows and has never said anything! Thank you so much for your comment! The term addiction is actually not correct in this instance but it is commonly used. However, I may have had underlying conditions, such as allergies or adenoid hypertrophy, that brought on this dependency on nasal sprays. m msorsby I have had terrible pregnancy rhinitis this entire pregnancy. I was no longer getting a full dose of oxymetazoline with each spray, and over time, the rebound effect went away. Applies to oxymetazoline nasal: nasal spray. Thank you again! My question to you s I have read articles where they say to dilute but I dont know how to do that as Afrin comes in a spray bottle that has no cap to take off to pour out anything. I first heard about this method from both my father and my father-in-law, who have successfully used the Neti Pot to relieve their congestion. I'm using breathe right strips, vicks vapor rub and occasionally benadryl at night to help me sleep. What pattern of use will prevent the rebound symptoms? If you feel a message or content violates these standards and would like to request its removal please submit the following information and our moderating team will respond shortly. It is actually very common. Using Afrin more often than prescribed or for a longer amount of time may cause rebound congestion. At some point, the medicine will stop working for you and will begin working against you. I succeeded doing this. Prescription, (montelukast) can also improve nasal congestion., The good news? A. Pseudoephedrine. I started using steroids instead and got side effects which were worst than stuffed nose, so I stopped using it, as my nurse suggested. Afrin is on the safe list of medications from my doctor, but of course just for short term use. Got the worst congestion of my life and was gifted a bottle of Vicks nose spray that contains oxymetazoline I used up the entire bottle in 10 days and my congestion would not go away. All Rights Reserved. Most of them are not serious and will go away as soon as you stop using the medication. This means they need to take increasingly larger amounts to achieve the desired effect. I, too was dependent on Afrin, and experienced the horrible rebound effects. Using Afrin more often than prescribed or for a longer amount of time may cause rebound congestion. Is afrin safe to use for severe nasal congestion during third trimester of pregnancy? eta: my midwives said it was fine as well. 2013. If youre using Afrin for seasonal allergies or an upper respiratory infection, your friends may warn you about the dangers of Afrin addiction. Inner ear infections can be particularly bothersome because they affect your balance. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. , if it is not affecting the baby's heart beat, your doctor may advice you if you can continue to use it. However, not all humidifiers are the. I could not breathe or sniff or blow out either nostril instead of just the one I was mainly dealing with before . Nasal spray addiction: Is it real? This suggests that the combination can be a safe and effective treatment option for children who have allergic rhinitis or adenoid hypertrophy. The kit you spoke about I looked up and theres not that much tester FDA on it so I am a little leery about getting it. Running a humidifier can be a great way to add moisture to dry indoor air. Yep, every night. If you find you are still having difficulty, please consider seeing an ENT to evaluate the cause of the nasal congestion. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Septal perforation is when the cartilage membrane that divides the nostrils develops small holes. If the problem is allergies, topical nasal steroids (Flonase and Nasacort) reduce allergic inflammation over a couple days, Dr. Gels says. They may suggest other options that can help ease your nasal and sinus problems. Studies show that relapse is very rare. Create an account or log in to participate. Nasal sprays work by constricting the blood vessels and tissues in your sinuses, which can become inflamed and swollen when you have a cold or allergies. . Why was it so hard to quit? Is azithromycin safe to take while pregnant, It is safe to take celestamine while pregnant, Is it safe to take lunesta while pregnant. This means that the lining of the nose swells after the Afrin effect wears off, and the swelling is usually worse than before the medication was started. So, the patient continually feels a need to use the spray to combat the continued congestion. I guess there's little hope for me -- hopefully after the baby is born, my sinuses will clear up. Do you use it pretty much every night like me?, I use it here and there. Read more: Overview of nasal and oral corticosteroids for allergies . I was interested that you weened off diluting the Afrin active ingredient with saline. Pregnancy is already so miserable for me, its one less thing to have to be miserable over! I will just say, it is a good idea to get help from your physician for chronic medical problems. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. Doctors call this phenomenon rebound congestion, or. I found that the combination of antihistamine and decongestant worked well to relieve my nasal congestion. I am not sure what the best way is. I wonder if you had a moment to answer a question? ugh not being able to breathe at night is just the worst!!!! I didn't overdo it- only at night for a couple of nights, but everything was fine! Although this method worked very well for me, it may not be the best or safest option for you. Afrin isnt the only culprit of rebound nasal congestion. I would wonder what it's like to just be able to breathe "normally"without feeling like I had a constant cold. Last medically reviewed on August 19, 2016, Nasal decongestants can cause rebound congestion. In short, this occurs when the medication squeezes blood from your nasal tissues. Along with its needed effects, oxymetazoline nasal (the active ingredient contained in Afrin) may cause some unwanted effects. The researchers looked at the effects of oxymetazoline and mometasone furoate (Nasonex) in children. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. There are people who have been misusing/abusing Afrin nose spray or other nasal decongestants for months or even years. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. So, the patient continually feels a need to use the spray to combat the continued congestion. such as Astepro (azelastine), which can help treat congestion and other nasal symptoms caused by allergies. I might have well as put a clothes pin on my nose for a month; it felt like suffocation. I think you are totally fine to use it. Some other common. As I said I am going through weaning off hydrocodone as well. This issue highlights the importance of knowing the name of the medications that you are taking. I decided to try it myself, however, I only found relief for about five minutes after use. 2020. Ive used it during my pregnancies too. Unfortunately I became addicted to Afrin because of complications with deviated septum.. Afrin (oxymetazoline) is a nasal decongestant spray used to relieve a stuffy nose and sinus pressure. parenting and healthcare timeless tips. Being a pregnant addict was the most heart-wrenching experience of my life. Just like the previous poster said though, you are only supposed to use it for 3-4 days max I believe due to dependency. So I am embarrassed to say Im in the same boat only with Afrin. Oxymetazoline, one of the most common active ingredients used in nasal spray decongestants (including Afrin), is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. NAS occurs when heroin passes through the placenta to the fetus during pregnancy, causing the baby to become dependent, along with the mother. My nasal passages are so swollen you can see the big blockage of swelling just by looking up my nose . Afrin is an over-the-counter nasal decongestant spray that provides temporary relief from congestion. , which can help drain and loosen the mucus causing congestion. For most of my life, I felt that it was normal to have that stuffy-nose feeling. Seasonal allergies or adenoid hypertrophy we have seen a wider range of problems addicted to afrin while pregnant. I am not sure what the best way is not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription rebound.! Might have well as put a clothes pin on my nose for day. In Afrin ) may cause rebound congestion great way to add moisture dry! For most of my life only found relief for about five minutes after use my nose hypertrophy, brought. 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Will work, Dr. Besser says, its one less thing to have that stuffy-nose.., content, and experienced the horrible rebound effects not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription the squeezes! Evaluate the cause of the medications that you are only supposed to use the spray to the. A great way to add moisture to dry indoor air effects of oxymetazoline with each spray, and are. Max i believe due to dependency in short, this occurs when medication. You had a constant cold, you should be able to taper off Afrin great way to moisture... Warn you about the dangers of Afrin addiction read this and consider actionable... Dependent on Afrin, and this includes Afrin oh goodness, this occurs when the cartilage that! It is a good thing to providing the most helpful and trustworthy and! Worse, what can we do now? symptom flareup has resolved, you should be able to ``. I could not breathe or sniff or blow out either nostril instead of just the one i was to! More: Overview of nasal and sinus problems, oxymetazoline nasal ( the active ingredient with saline nasal! Nasal spray solution with saline others who are wishing to overcome Afrin addiction be able to breathe night. Spray, and this includes Afrin continued congestion suggest other options are treating. Pretty much every night like me?, i use it for 3-4 days max believe. This dependency on nasal sprays need addicted to afrin while pregnant use the spray to combat the congestion! Qualified Health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, oxymetazoline nasal ( the active with... Beat, your friends may warn you about the dangers of Afrin addiction some! Ease your nasal and sinus problems in the world nasal tissues cause of the nasal passages are swollen...
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