#oxymetazoline

I can’t believe I’ve been addicted to this shit (nose sprays) for so long. The signs were there: The need of using it every day, that feeling of anxiety if I don’t have any left, the embarrassment when going to buy it (because, deep down, I KNOW it’s not normal to use it this often).

I was going to start tomorrow, give myself this night, cause right now I’m already having problems to breathe. But the longer I wait to quit, the longer I will have this problem. 

deathly ill (cold w/ high fever)

January 25, 2011

When I'm struggling to sleep tonight thanks to some pretty bad nasal congestion, it's going to be tough not to use the nasal decongestant spray in my medicine cabinet. For three nights, it has cleared me right up, letting me sleep like a baby in between the chills and night sweats. But, I wouldn't be practicing what I preach if I gave in again tonight...

Oxymetazoline, probably better known by the brand name Afrin, is a nasal spray used to treat congestion. In many ways, it is almost a perfect drug. It is highly effective, and literally works almost instantly. It works locally at the site needed, with very little systemic absorption. When used short term, it has minimal side effects. Not many drugs can lay claim to such desirable properties.

Of course, no drug is perfect. There is one major flaw with oxymetazoline: rebound congestion. Basically, when used for more than a few days, you become physically dependent on its decongestant effects. When the drug has worn off, your nose will clog right back up even if the original cause of the congestion is gone. I've known of many people who have struggled with this dependency for very long periods of time.

A good rule to follow is to avoid using the drug for longer than 72 hours. This will prevent the development of dependency. If you are suffering from conditions that result in longer term nasal congestion, oxymetazoline is not appropriate. You should talk to your physician about a long term treatment, such as a nasal steroid spray. This would also be an option to aid in weaning off of oxymetazoline if you have become dependent on its effects.