Using low dose Afrin for chronic nasal stuffiness. What side effects?

Published July 16, 2010

Question by JDH: Using low dose Afrin for chronic nasal stuffiness. What side effects?
I’ve have chronic nasal rhinitis (stuffiness)for years. Especially noticeable at night when lying down to sleep. For several months I have been taking 1 squirt of Afrin in one nostril each night ( alternating nostrils each night) just enough to help me breathe ok for sleep. Trying to avoid addiction. One spray in one (alternating ) nostril per night is much less than the recommended dosages (though they say discontinue after several days). It works great to help me sleep. Is there a problem with this as a ongoing solution? I’ve tried Nasalcrom didn’t work. Tried nasal irragation, didn’t work. I’d like to avoid steroid drugs.
Thanks for your suggestions.

Best answer:

Answer by Dave
Theres nothing wrong with cortisteroid drugs such as the prescription nasal sprays, they work well and just to let you know, the human body produces cortisteroids, so they arent that bad.

Afrin isnt made to be used for a long period of time. Just stop using it and see what happens, your stuffyness is going to become way worse. I think you should go with a prescription nasal spray.

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