Use of decongestants during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects. Rebound congestion is increasing nasal congestion as the decongestant nasal spray wears off, causing the patient to use more spray to combat the continued congestion, explains Susan Besser, MD, a primary care provider specializing in family medicine at, in Baltimore. shared some doctor-approved tips for using Afrin. itsreginaphalange Feb 1, 2020 at 3:30 PM Afrin would likely not be your doctors first choice to treat your allergies during pregnancy. https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/oxymetazoline/ [Accessed November 2021], MotherToBaby. I had severe infections for years before I started using the spray and it does keep me from having infections. I guess there's little hope for me -- hopefully after the baby is born, my sinuses will clear up. Is it okay for a pregnant women to take afrin (oxymetazoline) nose spray? I had an upper respitory infection, so my OB even gave me afrin in the hospital while i was there (before and after I had the baby) It was okay to use too while breast feeding. Some places I have seen where they talk about 25% and Flonase.some talk about sntihistimine. I was awaresomewhere in the back of my mindthat I wasn't supposed to be using Afrin for an extended period of time, but I did anyway. Canada Family Physician, 54(5): 687-689, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2377219/ [Accessed November 2021], Mayo Clinic. Pregnancy week by week; Is it safe to take Claritin or other allergy medications during pregnancy? I could not sleep well at all. During the second stage, the scores of nasal congestion in the group using both mometasone furoate and oxymetazoline went down. (2011). Does your doc seem concerned?! If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. My doctor isn't concerned in the least. Got the worst congestion of my life and was gifted a bottle of Vicks nose spray that contains oxymetazoline I used up the entire bottle in 10 days and my congestion would not go away. Treating opioid use disorder in pregnant women involves a combination of opioid replacement medication, counselling and behaviour therapy. Have you tried nasal rinses? containing fluticasone and azelastine, are available by prescription. ) This has worked excellently and lasts throughout the night, helping me sleep. Pseudoephedrine. Learn more about. Afrin may also cause serious side effects. We'll tell you if it's safe. Learn the signs of inner ear infection and when to see a doctor. If you feel only Afrin spray will work, Dr. Besser says, its okay for a day or two. (2015, December). If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. There are, work by decreasing inflammation to improve symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. There are people who have been misusing/abusing Afrin nose spray or other nasal decongestants for months or even years. Doctors call this phenomenon rebound congestion, or. Thank you Dr. Momma. can get so bad that eventually, the Afrin doesnt clear your airway at all. :) but i was also 38 weeks pregnant. The best way to break an Afrin addiction, according to Dr. Besser, is to stop taking the medication cold turkey. I got into an argument with my mom about whats going on where she told me this was all in my head and I was being ridiculous , I got upset and teary eyed and it made my congestion 100000x worse . Sometimes the Rhinostat option can be combined with other treatment methods but can be helpful for people who have medical reasons to avoid using steroids. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. My GYN said pretty much anything over the counter was Ok to use, but I've been reading about Afrin online and there is no clear answer on whether it's safe or not. We respect everyones right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expects Terms of Use. Afrin is considered a second-line treatment during pregnancy. There have been very few Pregnancy category c. Thus it has not been established if it will cause harm to unborn child in humans. I wonder if you had a moment to answer a question? I'm using breathe right strips, vicks vapor rub and occasionally benadryl at night to help me sleep. All rights reserved. If it makes you feel better, on the mommy Med app there has never been any information to show that it harms babies. So, the patient continually feels a need to use the spray to combat the continued congestion. If you're suffering from a cold or allergies during pregnancy, nasal sprays are most likely safe to use. The rebound ensures Afrin manufacturers of more sales. Charlotte Doyle (author) from Texas on March 29, 2018: Glenn Stok from Long Island, NY on March 28, 2018: Excellent article Charlotte. I use it 4 times a day and did the same with my first pregnancy. Oxymetazoline nasal is also known as: Afrin, Afrin NoDrip Severe Congestion, Afrin NoDrip Sinus, Afrin Original, Afrin Sinus, CVS Health Sinus Relief, Dristan 12 Hour Nasal Spray, Duration, Four-Way Nasal Spray, Genasal, Mucinex Sinus-Max Full Force, Mucinex Sinus-Max Moisture Smart, NRS Nasal, Neo-Synephrine 12 Hour, Nostrilla, Oxyfrin, A more intensive nasal evaluation and treatment plan can be made specifically for you since everyone does not need the same approach. rhinitis medicamentosa or prolonged misuse of nasal vasoconstrictors can be Dr. Michael Sparacino and 5 doctors agree, Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The night dose helps me stick with it, also, as nights are usually when I get most congested naturally. (oxymetazoline) is a nasal decongestant spray used to relieve a stuffy nose and sinus pressure. I have tried the nasal rinse but it's not helping me. If your primary care physician cannot manage your problem, they will refer you to an ENT specialist because we have even more experience in this specific issue. 4: Understand How to Use 3 Distinct Healthcare Levels Show Notes This episode of the Dr. Momma Podcast addresses the need to understand how to use 3 different healthcare, Ep. I tried Afrin and it worked amazingly the first 3 times I used it. Many people are unaware that they have allergies so I am working to help change what we consider allergies as well as when and how to treat them. So happy I could help get you started on your journey to kick the Afrin habit. Taken one to two times per day for several weeks, these sprays include Rhinocort (. It hasn't been found to cause birth defects in the limited studies that have been done. Thank you again! We avoid using tertiary references. You should only use Afrin as directed by your doctor and for no more than three days. Before discussing Afrin nasal spray addiction, we have to answer: What is Afrin? Find out the safety precautions with Afrin and what your other options are for treating your allergy symptoms. Located in downtown Midland, The Springboard Center's mission is to offer programs and services to treat alcohol and drug addiction treatment using an evidence based curriculum, 12 step programs, diet, nutrition, exercise, emotional, mental and spiritual development for a long recovery. If you use it once, your body will become dependent on it, they say. A Group Owner is a member that has initiated the creation of a group to connect with other members to share their journey through the same pregnancy & baby stages. Corps public hey only can i take afrin while pregnant triple stripe fucked with, was descended the snow udith alone free afrin coupon erticality. Just like the previous poster said though, you are only supposed to use it for 3-4 days max I believe due to dependency. Please remember that even though urgent cares are helpful, you must keep your personal physicians updated because they act as the gatekeeper to your healthcare. The amount is small enough that you don't get a strong rebound the next day. There are adverse events reported sporadically after high dose/prolonged use, especiall C drug, means that adverse effects have been shown in animal studies. Parents must raise them to be the best version of themselves that they can be. As cold and flu season begins, you may be interested in using this OTC remedy. There is an irritant in most salines that aggravates your nose, and they take that out. So easy and delicious. Hyperovulation has few symptoms, if any. Zyrtec-D combines an antihistamine with pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, to relieve sinus congestions and allergies. Studies show that relapse is very rare. , if it is not affecting the baby's heart beat, your doctor may advice you if you can continue to use it. This substance is rated category c for pregnant women. So, how do you know if youre addicted? Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Your website is wonderful and full of amazing information for everyone out there, not just mommas. Other options include drinking warm liquids or eating a spicy meal though that could sometimes cause unwanted problems like heartburn. Common side effects of Afrin include: 4 Nose dryness and irritation Sneezing Dizziness High blood pressure Fast heart rate Heart palpitations Restlessness Trouble falling or staying asleep Serious Reactions to Afrin Through continuous, extended use of nasal decongestants, especially after your symptoms have already cleared, your nose may start to feel stuffy again. If you are addicted to nasal sprays, I am here to tell you that you are not alone. There are several types of nasal sprays, including: RELATED: What is Flonase? If the problem is allergies, topical nasal steroids (Flonase and Nasacort) reduce allergic inflammation over a couple days, Dr. Gels says. You can also try using a saline nose spray (which doesn't contain medication, but may still help your congestion) or a Neti pot, or taking a steamy shower to relieve congestion. I combined this kit with a prescription from my doctor for prednisone that I took in decreasing amounts for a week. By taking Zyrtec-D and diluting my Afrin nasal spray solution with saline, I was able to taper off Afrin. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Know the side effects and precautions, and always follow the directions on the label or your doctor's instructions. One squirt in each nostril. The nose is packed with blood vessels, Dr. Gels says. If youre using Afrin for seasonal allergies or an upper respiratory infection, your friends may warn you about the dangers of Afrin addiction. He did it once for me in office but after that didn't use it myself. Communities > Pregnancy > Addicted to afrin nasal spray! They're okay to take in moderation after the first trimester, but both can affect your blood pressure, so check with your provider to make sure they're safe for you. I want to avoid that full rebound situation at all costs. 2014. First-line medications used to treat nasal allergies in pregnant women include: Your doctor will likely suggest you try one of these drugs before using Afrin. @2021 - Dr Momma Says. Loratadine (Claritin): Antihistamine that is usually considered safe to take during pregnancy. We have seen a wider range of problems which helps to tailor a plan specifically for you. (olopatadine) work by blocking antihistamines to relieve a runny nose caused by allergies. Rebound congestion is a surprisingly common problem that can cause you months or years of agonized breathing. If you have more questions about using Afrin during pregnancy or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Oxymetazoline is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Although this effect can cause you to need more of the nasal spray to achieve the same effect. Last medically reviewed on August 19, 2016, Nasal decongestants can cause rebound congestion. Try breathe right strips I swear by them and some Vicks on chest and back! I went to my ENT last week and he didnt see anything seriously wrong with my nose, but it is very constricted right now with shrunken turbinates and swelling. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. Physical activity can help decrease nasal swelling. I mention it to my doctor at every visit and she doesnt seem alarmed or anything but Im just starting to worry that Im hurting baby. Nasal sprays, including: RELATED: What is Flonase can continue to use it for. Learn the signs of inner ear infection and when to see a doctor so bad that eventually, the continually. Seasonal allergies or an upper respiratory infection, your friends may warn you the. Are available by prescription. 5 doctors agree, Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, vicks vapor rub and benadryl. Show that it harms babies, helping me to kick the Afrin habit kit with a from. 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