When to Use Afrin for Nasal Congestion

Afrin is a decongestant sold over-the-counter (OTC) in the form of a nasal spray. Its generic name is oxymetazoline nasal. Afrin is sprayed in the nostrils to give temporary relief from nasal congestion caused by allergies or colds.

This explains how Afrin works, some of the common side effects of Afrin, and why using too much Afrin or using it for a long time can lead to rebound congestion.

What Is Afrin Used For?

Afrin is a decongestant medication used to reduce nasal and sinus stuffiness. It's commonly used to treat congestion from the common cold or allergies.

Being congested can also cause difficulty breathing through your nose while you're sleeping and may contribute to snoring or sleep apnea. Afrin can help with these symptoms.

How Afrin Works

Afrin comes in a squirt bottle that you can spray into your nostrils. It stimulates receptors in the smooth muscle of the blood vessels in the nose and makes them narrow (constrict). When the blood vessels constrict, it reduces nasal congestion.

Who Should Not Use Afrin

Some people should not use Afrin, including

• Children younger than 6 years old
• People who are pregnant
• People who have taken an antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MOAI) within the last 14 days

If you have these health conditions, talk to your provider before you use Afrin:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Thyroid disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Trouble urinating or an enlarged prostate
• Glaucoma

You may need to avoid using Afrin if you take certain medications. Talk to your provider about Afrin if you are taking:

• Antidepressants, such as desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and protriptyline (Vivactil)
• Linezolid (Zyvox)
• MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Emsam, Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• Maprotiline
• Reserpine
• Stimulants, including ephedra and yohimbe, caffeine, and diet pills
• Other cough, cold, or allergy medications

Afrin Side Effects

Afrin can cause side effects. Most of them are not serious and will go away as soon as you stop using the medication.

You may feel mild stinging in your nose when you first use Afrin, but this should go away after using it a few times. Other common side effects include:

• Nose dryness and irritation
• Sneezing
  
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Restlessness
• Trouble falling or staying asleep

It's less common, but there are also some potentially serious side effects of Afrin that require medical attention, including:

• Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
• Chest pain (angina)
• Lightheadedness
• Hallucinations or unusual behavior
• Seizure
• Blurred vision
• Weakness
• Trouble urinating
  

Afrin is meant to provide short-term relief. You cannot get addicted to Afrin the way you can get addicted to other drugs. However, if you use Afrin too often, you use too much, or you use it for longer than a few days, it can cause your congestion to get worse (rebound congestion).

If Afrin Does Not Work

Afrin is safe and effective when it's used properly. If your symptoms are not improving after you've used Afrin according to the directions, you'll need to talk to your provider about other treatments.

For example, if you have chronic nasal congestion, prescription therapy with the use of a nasal corticosteroid can be helpful.

Summary

Afrin is a common decongestant medication used to treat cold and allergy symptoms. It is sold over-the-counter (OTC). While Afrin can be a safe and effective treatment for nasal congestion when it is used according to the directions, overusing Afrin can lead to rebound congestion.

If you have been using Afrin for three days and it hasn't helped your symptoms, stop using it and let your provider know. You might need a different treatment, like nasal steroids, for your congestion.