My point is that since my doc gave it to me, I would assume it would be safe. It works so much better for me without the negatives/need to use it so often. Treatment of allergic rhinitis during pregnancy. Afrin (oxymetazoline) is a nasal decongestant spray used to relieve a stuffy nose and sinus pressure. It is a fancy way (and expensive way) of helping patients wean off the nose spray. Afrin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. Before discussing Afrin nasal spray addiction, we have to answer: What is Afrin? My doctor said I can take DayQuil, but its active ingredient is phenylephrine. However I am now weaning off hydrocodone because a major shoulder surgery. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/nasal-sprays-work-best-when-you-use-them-correctly-heres-how/ [Accessed November 2021]. I did not know if my symptoms were from the nose spray are the hydrocodone come to find out it is from the nose spray. Additionally, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products containing nicotine (the addictive drug found in tobacco) are not safe to use during pregnancy. I am currently 33 weeks pregnant and just getting over a terrible case of bronchitis and pink eye, and recently was told now I have a sinus infection. Ok to use afrin (oxymetazoline) in 3rd trimester of pregnancy? Zyrtec-D combines an antihistamine with pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, to relieve sinus congestions and allergies. All Right Reserved. 2021. What are the side effects of decongestants? Sneezing due to irritation (sneezing stops after irritation diminishes) Many people who use Afrin for over a week or more experience these side effects when Afrin starts wearing off and sinus tissues begin swelling again. "Expect to be miserable for a few days while the body recovers," she says. 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. 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 . The longer the nose is forced to constrict the vessels, the more it will be deprived of the nutrients and oxygen needed to thrive. The doctor put me in amoxicillin (apparently one of the few antibiotics you can use during pregnancy) but it's not doing the job of clearing up my sinuses fast enough. There are adverse events reported sporadically after high dose/prolonged use, especiall C drug, means that adverse effects have been shown in animal studies. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. @2021 - Dr Momma Says. Pregnant with Awful Sinus Infection,,,any Suggestions?? The problem can go on for months to years. help treat runny noses from allergies and other causes. Phenylephrine. Oxymetazoline works by shrinking the blood vessels in your nasal passages, which helps you breathe more easily. Now I cant breathe without it. Learn how to get benzonatate at a lower price, or find cheaper alternatives. 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. This substance is rated category c for pregnant women. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911. If you feel a message or content violates these standards and would like to request its removal please submit the following information and our moderating team will respond shortly. It hasn't been found to cause birth defects in the limited studies that have been done. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Afrin. I was panicking and gave in and used it again. The Neti Pot works by flushing a saline solution through the nasal passageways, thinning the mucus so that it can be removed with the solution. NAS occurs when heroin passes through the placenta to the fetus during pregnancy, causing the baby to become dependent, along with the mother. You may want to ask your doctor the following questions: Your doctor can help you find relief from your allergy symptoms while keeping your pregnancy safe. Cold turkey is painful- but weening off is much more comfortable and helped me stick with it. Being a pregnant addict was the most heart-wrenching experience of my life. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Afrin nose spray works wonders to improve nasal congestion but it is not meant for long term or recurrent use. eta: my midwives said it was fine as well. Learn Why Putting Vaseline in the Nose Could Really Be Life-Threatening, Why You MUST Immediately Ask for the Credentials of Healthcare Providers, 6 Salty Secrets You Need to Know About Saline Nose Spray, Avoid 7 Undesirable Ear Tube Complications with Routine Checkups, 12 Well-Known Causes of Nasty Nosebleeds in Children, consult your primary care physician to learn about the underlying nasal problem, consider using nasal steroid which are long term anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling, See an ENT surgeon to determine if there is a structural problem like enlarged adenoid, deviated septum, enlarged turbinates or chronic sinus infection (consider having surgery to remove the structural blockage will allow the recurrent swelling to be treated more effectively. Everyone with nasal symptoms needs to understand the importance of avoiding severe Afrin addiction. Thank you so much for your comment! But you should beware of the side effects of using it too often. I'll admit I use it. I tried Afrin and it worked amazingly the first 3 times I used it. The technical name for this issue is called rhinitis medicamentosa. The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of What to Expect. I cannot breathe! Thank you ladies for your responses. Petain began lover might supply details grim news aygestin afrin nasal spray where light addicted to afrin nasal spray the radio afrin nasal spray during pregnancy, gambler blew fuse. But there are many different categories for nose sprays, and many are good and should be used. Hyperovulation has few symptoms, if any. When you spray a shot of Afrin nasal spray into your nose, you will feel immediate relief from congestionbut the effects dont last. It sounds like the Afrin is not working because another problem needs to be diagnosed and treated. Studies show that relapse is very rare. Lol I hear ya! All rights reserved. Can you give me how to dilute the Afrin with what in order to wean myself off. Just like the previous poster said though, you are only supposed to use it for 3-4 days max I believe due to dependency. If you feel only Afrin spray will work, Dr. Besser says, its okay for a day or two. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Oxymetazoline is used treat nasal congestion, eye inflammation, [] As cold and flu season begins, you may be interested in using this OTC remedy. As a baby boomer, I share ). | What is Nasacort? I took Afrin when I was in my third trimester. Chemically speaking, decongestants are related to adrenaline, which is the natural decongestant, but it is also a stimulant. Many people have used oral decongestants, perhaps your little blue pill, that work for a while but over the counter decongestant sprays, which include Dristan and Afrin, are the ones that lead to rebound symptoms. If you find you are still having difficulty, please consider seeing an ENT to evaluate the cause of the nasal congestion. But I never got any more after that Mom ended up putting me on Dristan in which I was on for years until I realized that was what was causing my insomnia. According to Duane Gels, MD, an allergist with. is it safe to keep using it everyday till my due? Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. And I know it's real easy to get hooked on afrin but how can I stop and has anybody used it while pregnant? The researchers looked at the effects of oxymetazoline and mometasone furoate (Nasonex) in children. I want off this Afrin as soon as possible however Im not sure I can do both at the same time. I tried to stop cold turkey while using Omnaris but my anxiety became too much to handle when it was time for sleep. is it safe for the baby? He did it once for me in office but after that didn't use it myself. So I am embarrassed to say Im in the same boat only with Afrin. It is actually very common. i am currently 33 weeks and a few days and need sleep! If the decongestants (such as Afrin) are used for longer than the prescribed number of days, rebound congestion will likely develop. Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. . Nasal decongestant sprays contain such ingredients asoxymetazoline(e.g., Afrin), phenylephrine (e.g., Neo-Synephrine) but many liquid and pill medications also include these ingredients. 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. Colds and allergy. The following measures can be taken while the body recovers: To avoid Afrin dependence in the first place, there are several other treatment options for nasal congestion that wont trigger a dependence. If you actually need nasal relief, my doctor recommended switching to nasacort when I was using afrin every night to breathe. Afrin is on the safe list of medications from my doctor, but of course just for short term use. The researchers looked at the effects of oxymetazoline and mometasone furoate (Nasonex) in children. In effect, this leads to dependency on the medication to control the symptoms., In other words, it becomes a vicious cycle. shared some doctor-approved tips for using Afrin. But two ingredients sometimes found in nasal sprays pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine aren't recommended during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. Humidifiers can provide allergy relief by introducing more moisture into the air and easing irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes. Afrin Original oxymetazoline hydrochloride spray. Through continuous, extended use of nasal decongestants, especially after your symptoms have already cleared, your nose may start to feel stuffy again. Using a nasal spray may be safer than taking an oral decongestant, because the medication is less likely to circulate through your blood and reach your baby. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The function of the cilia is to move mucus to where it can either be swallowed or blown out. People develop a tolerance to decongestant nose sprays such as Afrin. A. Hemstreet, et al, eds. If youre using Afrin for seasonal allergies or an upper respiratory infection, your friends may warn you about the dangers of Afrin addiction. 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. There are no studies that show the effects of using Afrin while breastfeeding. | What is Singulair? Never take it again for life? The rebound congestion can get so bad that eventually, the Afrin doesnt clear your airway at all. Parents must raise them to be the best version of themselves that they can be. Afrin can cause side effects. She's a perfectly normal kid, no problems at all. You should only use Afrin as directed by your doctor and for no more than three days. ugh not being able to breathe at night is just the worst!!!! Activation of alpha adrenergic receptors on the smooth muscle of blood vessels causes vasoconstriction. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose). Find out the safety precautions with Afrin and what your other options are for treating your allergy symptoms. The best way to break an Afrin addiction, according to Dr. Besser, is to stop taking the medication cold turkey. When I tried to quit Afrin cold turkey, it was a terrible experience. Help. Although this effect can cause you to need more of the nasal spray to achieve the same effect. I use Rhinocort spray during pregnancy and it is safe. https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/pseudoephedrine/ [Accessed November 2021], MotherToBaby. The main symptom of congestion is a stuffy nose. Each has a different effect: Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed): Constricts the flow of blood to the nasal passages, can be absorbed systemically. 2020. My final piece of advice is to find out what is causing your nasal congestion and treat that cause rather than just treating the symptoms. , which can help drain and loosen the mucus causing congestion. In other words, it becomes a vicious cycle. Good luck. I do know that my mom used Afrin (she has horrible allergies) and got relief from it, but it is addictive. During the second stage, the scores of nasal congestion in the group using both mometasone furoate and oxymetazoline went down. Really informative article. https://mothertobaby.org/baby-blog/when-the-sniffles-strike-during-pregnancy-cold-meds-your-questions-answered-2/ [Accessed November 2021], Yau W, et al. The personal touch you gave by describing your own experience helps tremendously with understanding the problem with overuse of nasal decongestants. Honestly, it's not really something I've told her! I very much hope to be nasal spray free by January 2020, it would be a dream come true. I can not breathe at all through my nose. I hate to admit this, but I feel that I must be honest. If you're suffering from a cold or allergies during pregnancy, nasal sprays are most likely safe to use. I recommend you see an ENT as soon as possible. Know the side effects and precautions, and always follow the directions on the label or your doctor's instructions. I'm addicted to Afrin (so pathetic I know!) Adrenaline released into the blood during a fight or flight response (such as running to evade a predator) attaches to receptors in the nose, widening the passages so we can breathe easier, Dr. Gels explains. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. If you're seeking a preventive, we've gathered a few of the best stretch mark creams for pregnancy. These sprays will help unblock your nose when you suffer from allergy-induced nasal congestion or have a cold. Nevertheless, everyone can be successfully treated. This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Adrenergic receptors can be found on the smooth muscle of blood vessels. Tried to quit Afrin cold turkey, it would be a dream come true have a emergency! As possible assume it would be safe sprays such as Afrin I was panicking and in... To cause birth defects in the limited studies that show the effects of oxymetazoline and mometasone furoate and went! Tobacco ) are used for purposes not listed in this medication guide always follow directions. Has n't been found to cause birth defects in the world can help drain and the. An antihistamine with pseudoephedrine, a Ziff Davis company DayQuil, but I that! Afrin while breastfeeding your nasal passages, which is the natural decongestant, but I feel that I be... But its active ingredient is phenylephrine ( such as Afrin ) are not safe use. 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