Can you become addicted to nasal spray?

Question

Is it true that your nose will become dependent on the chemicals in the nasal spray. You nose will require the spray everyday to stay clear and not stuffed up.

Answer 1

Yes, you are better off getting a prescription from your doctor or do what I do, if you have sinus problems, allergy problems (I have had them forever) the best thing I have found is this:

GROSSAN HYDRO PULSE/HYDROPULSE NASAL/SINUS IRRIGATION

This sounds gross, (maybe that is why it is named Grossan) but it has cleared up any sinus infections I get. Email me if you have any questions. You can do a search on EBay to see what it is.

Answer 2

Yes it is true. The more you use it the more your sinus membranes become swollen or inflamed. So you need more to breath. I takes several days or more to undo the damage caused by nasal spray. This is called the rebound phenomena. I used so much for so long that I had to get prescription Medrol which is a steroid to get over the rebound problem. This is why the instructions warn you not to use for over three days. Try a over the counter decongestant or better yet see your doctor. It's hard to stop using nasal spray cause for several days you'll feel like someone poured cement in your sinuses as no air will pass but you will eventually breath again.

Answer 3

its true. Your body doesn't have to work as hard to keep things cleared up when it's getting the help from the spray. It's better to use a saline (salt water) spray or hydrogen peroxide spray.
Peroxide up your nose is not so comfortable but it works amazingly well. Put it up your nose and let it bubble (it will tickle your nose so be prepaired) and then when you've taken all you can take, blow your nose. Much more effective than even some Rx nasal sprays.
Good luck and stop spraying with the Rx

Answer 4

Yes, and it's called the rebound effect. My dad was addicted. They may have better ones now. But you did get dependent on them years ago. Don't know about now. Stay away from nasal spray.

Answer 5

It is a rebound effect. You shouldn't use it for more than 3 or 4 days, read the directions. Rebound effect= you stop using it and you're stuffiness comes back, but don't fret it will go away in a couple of days. There is an alternative that you have to get from your doctor but it's a steroidal base (like flonase).

Answer 6

actully it is kinda true...its happened to me more than once. whenever i get sick and stopped up i go straight for the nasal spray...but i didnt know when to stop. i would use it if i felt a stopped up nose coming on and it got to the point that if i didnt use it (even if i wasnt sick or anything) my nose would get stopped up. i was like this for over a year and i knew i needed to stop though so i quit cold turkey and my nose went back to normal. this only happens if you use it more than recommended and for a long time though...when used in moderation and in the amounts it says to, everything will be fine.

Answer 7

Yes. Not to mention prolonged use of nasal sprays will destroy the lining of your nose.

Answer 8

My physician told me exactly that on my last visit. However, saline nasal sprays are unmedicated and therefore non-addictive; all they do is moisten the contents and membranes of your nasal passages, which should make it easier to clear them. I keep a bottle of saline nasal spray by my desk! (Was that TMI? ;-) )

Answer 9

Yes, it is very true. My husband got addicted. The doctor had to "wean" him off of it with a natural salt water spray.

Answer 10

Yes you can. It happened to me. The only way to get rid of the addiction is to stop using it. You'll be stuffy for a couple of days, until your nose membranes shrink. Good Luck to those addicted.

Answer 11

Not is you medically need it i.e. if you have allergic rhinitis or sinusitis.Which me4ans runny nose or sneezing or blocked nose or post nasal drip especially if associated with reddening of eyes and asthma.