Why are nasal sprays (such as Afrin) bad for pregnant women?

Question

It's on my list of "DO NOT TAKE AT ALL while pregnant or breastfeeding" medicines, so I am curious what the effects are. Do they pose a risk to the fetus?

Answer 1

Most medicated nasal sprays contain antihistamines, which cause vasoconstriction, and the effect could be generalized, not just in the nose. Constriction of the blood vessels leading to the placenta will result in decreased blood flow, which could cause a decrease in oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
We do not know how much antihistamine would be required to cause a harmful effect, so it is safest to not use them at all -- whether in nasal spray or in oral form.
Nasal sprays or drops that are saline only are fine to use. These just thin out your mucous a little; there's no medication in them.

Answer 2

I had a bad case of pregnancy-induced rhinitis (congestion caused by pregnancy) during both of my pregnancies. It started in the third trimester of my first pregnancy, and the second time I was pregnant I swear it started the day of conception.

Nasal sprays like Afrin are only good for 3-7 days, and here's why: if you use them for more than the specified time, you will develop a "rebound" reaction. You'll notice that the relief wears off sooner and sooner, and you have to use more and more sprays to make it work. I started out using one mist per nostril every 12 hours, and got relief within 30 seconds. By the time I sought help from a specialist, I was using 7-8 sprays every 6 hours or so, and it only worked half the time. I was desperate, because I couldn't even sleep anymore. The congestion got so bad that I couldn't even blow my nose, and Afrin didn't even work anymore. That's the nasty reality of the "rebound" effect.

Also, Afrin is a Pregnancy Category Risk C, which means that adverse effects have been found in the fetuses of animals, but there hasn't been much testing on humans. So nobody is really sure if it is safe or not, and that's why the doctors tell you to stay away from it.

By the way, Afrin does NOT contain epinephrine as someone else stated. The active ingredient in Afrin is oxymetazoline hydrochloride.

My advice to you, if you have that annoying congestion that pregnancy brings on in many pregnant women, is to see an ENT (Ear-Nose-Throat specialist) who can prescribe something for you that will work for the duration of your pregnancy. I was given Nasonex or Flonase for the first pregnancy and Rhinocort for the second. These are safer during pregnancy and breastfeeding and can be used for extended periods of time, while other medications are unsafe or uneffective. Here are some links for you....

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

If you have normal blood pressure you might have pregnancy-induced rhinitis. (Pregnant sniffles) It happens at some point in 90% of all pregnancies. Try this DRUG FREE solution.

Try a saline nasal RINSE (not a spray) A full warm water saline rinse goes in one nostril and out the other. It draws out all the gunk and shrinks the tissue (like swimming in the ocean). I've been doing it at work too.

The buffered salt doesn't 'sting' as much as plain salt water. You can use a new method like Nasopure, or the vintage, Netipot. The special bottle and salt is about $20.

You can do this a often as you like with no bad side effects.

You don’t need a prescription for this therapy. So if you live in a state like mine, they’ve pretty much “outlawed” sudafed medicine. Drug-free is really the way to go on a frequent-use basis. (I put in a link for “what” and “how” – there’s also some good info on wiki)

Answer 4

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Normally, each time (or each second or third time) you swallow, your ears make a little click or popping sound. This occurs because a small bubble of air has entered your middle ear, up from the back of your nose. It passes through the Eustachian tube, a membrane-lined tube about the size of a pencil lead that connects the back of the nose with the middle ear. The air in the middle ear is constantly being absorbed by its membranous lining and resupplied through the Eustachian tube. In this manner, air pressure on both sides of the eardrum stays about equal. If and when the air pressure is not equal, the ear feels blocked. How To Unblock Your Ears Swallowing activates the muscle that opens the Eustachian tube. You swallow more often when you chew gum or let mints melt in your mouth. If yawning and swallowing are not effective, unblock your ears as follows: Step 1: Pinch your nostrils shut. Step 2: Take a mouthful of air. Step 3: Using your cheek and throat muscles, force the air into the back of your nose as if you were trying to blow your thumb and fingers off your nostrils. When you hear a loud pop in your ears, you have succeeded. You may have to repeat this several times. What About Decongestants And Nose Sprays? Decongestant tablets and sprays can be purchased without a prescription.this will shrink the membranes and help the ears pop more easily. However, they should be avoided by people with heart disease, high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, thyroid disease, or excessive nervousness. Such people should consult their physicians before using these medicines. Pregnant women should likewise consult their physicians first. Some causes of ear popping are tinnitus, common colds, nasal allergies such as hay fever,etc; , middle ear infections, Meniere's disease or fluid in the ear from swimming or showering, ; sinus infections; TMJ; or poss sensoneural hearing loss. So why does my ear sometimes make funny crackling & popping noises? Earwax or even a piece of hair could be lying on top of the eardrum and when the eardrum vibrates, it may cause funny noises (just like a piece of string on a lightly beating drum). Obviously, treatment is by removal. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction can also cause crackling/popping noises. Given the eustachian tube is lined with mucosa which is moist, sometimes the surface may become sticky from inflammation such that any movement whether it be an opening motion or sliding would cause crackling/popping noises. Again, treatment in this case is with steroids nasal sprays for a period of about 6 weeks. So, what would cause the eustachian tube to not open up properly? Well, something could be physically blocking the opening of the eustachian tube in the nose, most notably large adenoids. In rare cases, it could be a tumor. More commonly, the eustachian tube does not open properly due to inflammatory conditions, especially allergies, resulting in the tube becoming inflamed and swollen. That's why when people get a cold or allergies are bad, their ears also becomes affected. This condition is known as Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. Treatment is based on the underlying condition. If due to large adenoids, adenoidectomy is the treatment. If due to Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, than treatment is with steroid nasal sprays for about 6 weeks +/- Afrin for 3 days. Occasionally, systemic steroids are prescribed. If these sprays don't work, than placement of a tube across the eardrum would immediately resolve the symptoms

Answer 5

Trust me, I know what you're going through.

I have had 3 sinus infections in the past 2 months and am currently 33 weeks pregnant. The doctor originally prescribed Afrin. Now I am addicted. The last time I went he said to "stop taking it" I told him I couldn't and he said I "had to".

Anyway, after three days I gave up. I have other sinus infection and NOT using Afrin just keeps the gunk inside my head. I couldn't even blow my nose because my it was glued shut.

I've been using the salt water rinse and it kind of helps, as long as I use small bits of Afrin to get a passageway.

Anyway, I'm worried because my nose is bleeding now and I am using the Afrin 3-4 times a day.

This ****HAS*** to be common since so many pregnant women have stuffy noses and so many use Afrin!

I can't find any studies either, and it's upsetting me.

Answer 6

I am not sure what symptoms you are having in which you want a nasal spray...but if it is allergy related I am pregnant and on Flonase. It is by prescription only but it is a class "b" medication which is generally regarded as safe during pregnancy.

Answer 7

Afrin While Pregnant

Answer 8

Well everything you take into your body affects the baby as well. And many medicines say "don't take if you are breastfeeding or pregnant.." It's very important to pay attention to this and find alternatives that are safe. The doctor will help you do that.

Some conditions that children are born with are being linked to things in the mother's system....so don't take any chances...or medicine.

Answer 9

Afrin Pregnancy

Answer 10

Afrin original is one of the only ones on my list to take. I was told not to use the store brand kind though. Though I get choked up on them.. lol. I just can't use nose sprays. I wonder why it is on your do not use list. I can use sudafed and tylenol sinus. Just hate to take any meds while I am pregnant.