How Long Does Rebound Congestion Last? (& 5 More Questions About It, Answered)

Do you have nasal congestion that won't go away? It might be time to consider how you're treating it.

 The Uselessness of Phenylephrine

But here in the US, if you go to the drugstore and purchase an over-the-counter nasal decongestant (as a single agent or a combination of drugs that includes a decongestant), you will in every single case be buying phenylephrine. Which does not work. It is found (according to the paper linked above) in 261 different OTC products, and it is a useless bait-and-switch on the consumer in every one of them.

Can You Become Dependent on Nasal Spray?

While the rebound effect of some nasal sprays isn’t a true addiction, they can lead to negative consequences such as rhinitis medicamentosa (rebound congestion), chronic sinusitis and other long-term problems.

Forget nose spray, good sex clears a stuffy nose just as effectively — and is a lot more fun

... a study by German and British researchers published earlier this year — which just won the Ig Nobel prize for medicine — suggests orgasmic sex can clear nasal congestion as well as a nasal decongestant.

If you have a nasal spray addiction, it’s time to put down the Afrin

Rebound congestion is a very real side effect of using nasal spray too frequently. Here’s what you need to know.

Is it safe to use a nasal spray decongestant during pregnancy?

Oxymetazoline, one of the most common active ingredients used in nasal spray decongestants (including Afrin), is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. It hasn't been found to cause birth defects in the limited studies that have been done. But two ingredients sometimes found in nasal sprays – pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine – aren't recommended during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.

Myth Busters: Nasal Sprays Are Addictive

When beginning to take nasal sprays, many patients wonder if they should be concerned about getting addicted to the nasal spray. What they are likely referring to is a rebound effect that may occur from using over the counter nasal decongestant sprays. After using a nasal decongestant spray for several days, you may become less responsive to the decongestant effect, and as a result, you may need more and more of the medication to control nasal congestion.

Nasal Sprays Can Bring on Vicious Cycle

A couple of squirts can shrink swollen tissues in seconds to minutes, letting in an exhilarating rush of fresh air. With some sprays, a single dose works for as long as 12 hours. But relief provided by nasal spray decongestants like Afrin and Neo-Synephrine comes at a price.

Rhinitis Medicamentosa (Nasal Decongestant Spray Addiction)

Nasal decongestant sprays such as Afrin... can potentially cause a medical condition called rhinitis medicamentosa...

The Downside of Decongestants

Decongestants will help to reduce swelling in your nasal passages, making it easier to breathe; but if you are suffering from allergies or sinusitis, decongestants are not the solution to your problems. So before you run to your medicine cabinet, let’s take a look at some of the downsides of decongestants...

When Nasal Decongestant Sprays Make You Sicker

Overuse of these OTC sprays can actually cause congestion. Here's how to avoid it.