It is important to note that nasal decongestant sprays like Afrin® are not to be used for longer than three days, as the label directs.
Nasal steroids sprays (Flonase®, Nasocort®, Nasonex®, etc. ) are safe to use on a daily basis and are now largely over-the-counter. These sprays are non-addictive and typically do not cause any long term changes to the nasal passages.
Decongestant nasal sprays and drops should not be used for more than a week at a time because using them for too long can make your stuffiness worse. Speak to a GP if your symptoms do not improve after this time.
If a nasal decongestant spray is a fixture in your medication lineup, it's important to know that using these sprays for more than three consecutive days can actually worsen your congestion. "This side effect of nasal decongestant sprays is called rebound congestion," says Dr.
In the drug realm, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and loratadine (Claritin) can help with a stuffy nose are safe for the heart.
Antihistamines containing loratadine, cetirizine or fexofenadine. “These are safe for most older adults who have regular or seasonal allergies that cause sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and/or nasal congestion,” Linnebur says.
Alternatives to nasal sprays
A saline nasal spray is drug-free and is generally safe. Another option is to use a neti pot. These are an effective way to flush mucus and allergens out of the nose.
You can take pseudoephedrine for a few days, usually up to 5 to 7 days, for the short-term relief of a stuffy or blocked nose. Only take it for longer than 7 days if a doctor has said it's OK.
Is it OK to take Sudafed every day? Yes, it is OK to take Sudafed daily, but only over a short period of time. Unless your healthcare provider says otherwise, don't take Sudafed for more than 7 days. This is because you're more likely to experience side effects if you take it for longer.
Rebound congestion develops when you use nasal sprays containing phenylephrine and oxymetazoline for too long. Rebound congestion is tough to treat and can take up to 1 year to go away. You can avoid rebound congestion by stopping decongestant nasal sprays after 3 to 5 days.
Treating a sinus infection means unblocking and draining the sinuses. Corticosteroid nasal sprays such as Flonase and Nasacort are the best source for treatment because they help reduce swelling in the nasal passages.
Dattani says sprays can provide relief up to six times faster than tablets. Nasal sprays are able to work within about five minutes, whereas oral decongestants take around half an hour to have an effect.
Nasal congestion can worsen when you lie down. Lying down increases the blood flow to your head. The excess blood flow can cause the blood vessels in your nasal passage to swell. When the blood vessels in your nose become inflamed, your nose feels stuffy.
Antihistamine nasal sprays are not addictive, and can be used up to 12 weeks. Those who need to use them for longer should ask their doctor. Decongestant sprays are available over the counter and are designed to temporarily shrink the blood vessels in the nose.
Topical decongestants (such as xylometazoline or oxymetazoline) have a more rapid onset of action and stronger effect than oral decongestants. They are less likely to cause side effects although there have been rare reports of seizures in children.
ZYRTEC-D® contains both an antihistamine and a decongestant for allergies. It powerfully clears your blocked nose and relieves other allergy symptoms. You can find decongestant products like ZYRTEC-D® at your local drug store behind the pharmacy counter. No prescription is necessary.
Over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant sprays, such as oxymetazoline (Afrin, Dristan) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, 4-Way Fast Acting Nasal Spray), can help ease symptoms quickly. However, it's important to only use these medications for a maximum of three days.