Can Afrin be abused?

This rebound effect has led to the erroneous belief that you can become addicted to Afrin. Afrin-caused rebound congestion is not a form of addiction. Instead, suffering recurring nasal congestion due to overuse of Afrin is a physiological reaction involving tolerance of nasal passage tissues to oxymetazoline.

What happens if you abuse Afrin?

“If you use it once, your body will become dependent on it,” they say. While it’s not considered an “addiction” in the usual sense, your body can become dependent on the drug. Doctors call this phenomenon “rebound congestion,” or rhinitis medicamentosa, and it is a very real problem.

Can nasal spray be abused?

March 25, 2021 – Abuse or misuse of the over-the-counter nasal decongestant propylhexedrine (Benzedrex) can cause serious harm, disability, or death, the FDA said in a new safety warning.

Is Afrin a drug?

This medication is used for temporary relief of congestion in the nose caused by various conditions including the common cold, sinusitis, hay fever, and allergies. It works by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose area, reducing swelling and congestion.

What nose 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.

How long does it take to get addicted to Afrin?

The Rebound Effect An over-the-counter (OTC) nasal spray won’t cause cravings that are common with addiction. But if you use one for more than 3 days in a row, you might get something called a rebound effect.

What is in Afrin that is addictive?

While Afrin is the most popular brand of decongestant spray, there are several others (including generic versions) which contain the same active ingredient, which is Oxymetazoline HcL 0.05%. This is why some people refer to this as an Oxymetazoline addiction.

What drug class is Afrin?

Oxymetazoline is in a class of medications called nasal decongestants. It works by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages.

Does Afrin make you drowsy?

SHOULD AFRIN NIGHT ONLY BE TAKEN AT NIGHT? No, it can be used during the day or at night. It does not provide any ingredients to make you drowsy but provides 12 hours of congestion relief with a soothing chamomile scent.

Is Afrin habit forming?

Decongestant nasal sprays such as Afrin (oxymetazoline) can be habit-forming. Most doctors suggest limiting their use to no more than two days.

What drug is in Afrin?

What is Afrin? Afrin is an over-the-counter nasal spray decongestant. It contains oxymetazoline, which is an alpha-adrenergic agonist that causes local vasoconstriction. Afrin is fast-acting, but should not be used for more than three consecutive days.

How much Afrin is too much?

Spray 2 or 3 times in each nostril, but not more often than every 10 to 12 hours. Do not exceed 2 doses in any 24-hour period.

Can oxymetazoline get you high?

An oxymetazoline high isn’t necessarily a strong high, but it does exist and can have severe consequences. If a person uses nasal sprays excessively, it can cause psychosis.

Does Afrin give you anxiety?

Some other common side effects that nasal decongestants can cause include insomnia, nervousness, anxiety and tremor. Side effects are usually more common as the dose is increased.

Can Afrin cause anxiety?

Is Afrin nose spray addictive?

Over-the-counter nasal sprays don’t cause the physiological cravings that mark an addiction. To prevent rebound congestion, use over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays for no more than three days in a row, with as few doses as possible each day.

What is the addictive ingredient in Afrin?

Will Afrin keep you awake?

Can Afrin (oxymetazoline) keep you awake at night? It might, but it’s not common. If used too close to bedtime, Afrin (oxymetazoline) can cause some people to have trouble sleeping. The best way to prevent this is to use your doses in the morning and early afternoon.

What happens if you use too much nasal spray?

Nasal spray addiction is not a true “addiction,” but it can lead to tissue damage inside the nose. This can result in swelling and long-term stuffiness that leads to further use and overuse of the spray. In some cases, a person may need to undergo additional treatment, and possibly surgery, to correct any damage.