My doctor prescribed Afrin and Flonase to treat post-nasal drip. He said that I could use the Afrin for 5 days in a row, but the bottle says I can only use it for three days. Does anyone know if it could be harmful for me to use it as he prescribed it, or should I stop at three days? I only use it once in the evenings (usually 24 hours between sprays). Thanks!
2006-08-26 18:12:50 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
If you are only using it once a day, I wouldn't be too worried.
usually it is the people that use it constantly for the those three days that end up with a rebound swelling in their mucosal membranes. USE AS DIRECTED
2006-08-26 18:17:08 · answer #1 · answered by PreviouslyChap 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Side Effects Of Afrin
2016-12-16 06:52:36 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Afrin Side Effects
2016-10-08 11:36:21 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Afrin etc. (Oxymetazoline) is an over-the-counter decongestant which is used for the temporary relief of nasal congestion or stuffiness caused by hay fever or other allergies, colds, or sinus trouble. Oxymetazoline is available as nose drops and sprays, and works by constricting (shrinking) blood vessels (veins and arteries) in the nasal tissues. Constriction of the blood vessels in the nose and sinuses leads to drainage of these areas and a decrease in congestion.
Oxymetazoline nasal drops/sprays last 12 hours. A typical dose is 2-3 drops/sprays per nostril every 10-12 hours. It is recommended that Oxymetazoline not be used for longer than 3 to 5 days. Longer use could cause damage to the nasal tissue and lead to chronic congestion. When this medicine is used for short periods of time at low doses, side effects usually are rare.
But prolonged usage would cause Minor dizziness & vertigo occur if I move my head too fast. Not sleeping well. So do not take more than the precribed period, by doctor.
2006-09-01 21:38:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you continue to use Afrin on a daily basis you will stuff up your nose beyond belief and have a real sinus nasal infection it constricts the blood vessels, so this is a bad idea from personal experience you won't be able to breathe at all and will be in the ER for antibiotics and Nasonex... It will be a living nightmare for 2 weeks until your antibiotics kick in.... SO NO DO NOT USE AFRIN FOR MORE THAN A FEW DAYS OMG ITS SOMETHING AWFUL!
I didn't read the warnings and ignored them and thought it was a safe daily replacement for Flonase, Nasonex or whatever prescription spray you had been using... after all its an over the counter medication you would think was safe to use... There should be a BLACK BOX WARNING ON AFRIN to tell you in no circumstances should you use it for more than 3 days... :(
2013-09-23 23:25:03 · answer #5 · answered by Nasdaq Czar 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have taken Afrin for more than three days before and been perfectly fine. I work with children so I get some nasty illnesses every so often, and since I teach music I need to be able to breathe out of my nose to work. If I get a really bad cold it can last for weeks. I've used Afrin for a week and been perfectly fine. I also only used it every 12 hours for the first few days and then the last few days only at night so I could sleep. It's different for everyone but that's how it was for me.
2014-12-29 15:43:49 · answer #6 · answered by AAA. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RE:
Side effects of using Afrin for more than 3 days?
My doctor prescribed Afrin and Flonase to treat post-nasal drip. He said that I could use the Afrin for 5 days in a row, but the bottle says I can only use it for three days. Does anyone know if it could be harmful for me to use it as he prescribed it, or should I stop at three days? I only use...
2015-08-02 03:32:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rebound congestion can develop from using nasal decongestant sprays frequently for 3 or more days. As decongestant sprays wear off, sinus membranes swell, causing congestion, and a person may respond by using a higher dose of decongestant. If the cycle continues, a person builds up a tolerance by using larger and larger doses until congestion occurs whenever the person does not take the medication.
Rebound congestion can lead to addiction to decongestant nasal sprays.
2006-08-26 18:16:33 · answer #8 · answered by Cheryl S 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's OK, because you will be taking Flonase too. When used alone the Afrin could give you a rebound effect after 3-5 days. That means that your symptoms could get worse, the nose could become more stuffy and the membranes more swollen.
2006-08-26 18:18:37 · answer #9 · answered by serendipity 2 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
When I use these types of nose sprays I only spray one nostril at at time, leaving the other congested. The next interval spray the other.....that way it isn't over used. I find more than two days it irritates the membranes and they swell up. It definately provides relief. It is better than suffering.
2006-08-26 18:22:09 · answer #10 · answered by kmarie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋