Nasal sprays, especially those containing decongestants, are a popular choice for the treatment of nasal congestion, also known as blocked nose or stuffy nose. People often reach out to these products for relief as they provide fast relief and are readily available over the counter in local pharmacies and online.
Some believe that using nasal sprays can cause addiction, requiring you to use more of them eventually. But is nasal spray addiction even possible? Or is it something else? Time to find out!
Is it Possible to Develop Nasal Spray Addiction?
Before we discuss nasal spray addiction, let’s understand the difference between addiction and dependence. Addiction is when a person craves something so much that they can do anything for it. A person is said to be addicted when, despite knowing that a particular thing is harmful to their health, they still want to use or consume it.
Dependence, on the other hand, is the body’s physical reliance on a substance. Using certain nasal sprays for more than the recommended duration results in the person developing a dependence, wherein their body develops a tolerance toward the drug, requiring them to use it more frequently to treat their symptoms.
So basically, people often become dependent on nasal sprays and are not addicted to the medication. Dependence results in a rebound effect due to overuse of the medication, causing what is termed as rebound congestion.
Decongestant Nasal Sprays and Rebound Congestion
As mentioned before, only certain sprays can cause a rebound effect, and those are decongestant nasal sprays. Nasal sprays containing decongestants like phenylephrine and oxymetazoline are likely to cause rebound congestion when used for longer than three days at a stretch.
Overuse can make nasal congestion worse, making breathing difficult. What follows is the person using the nasal spray more frequently to ease the symptoms. This cycle continues until the person stops using the nasal spray. However, abruptly stopping the medication can make symptoms worse.
How to Know If You Are Overusing Decongestant Nasal Sprays
Three pointers that indicate you have been overusing decongestant nasal sprays are:
- It’s been more than 3 days since you started using the nasal spray.
- You are taking the nasal spray more frequently than the suggested dose.
- You feel more congested than what you experienced earlier whenever you stop taking the nasal spray.
If any of these pointers hold true for you, you are likely overusing your decongestant nasal spray. So, what to do next? Check out the section below.
Treating Rebound Congestion and Stopping Overuse
People who use decongestant nasal sprays for longer than directed (weeks, months, or even years) may have trouble stopping nasal spray overuse due to rebound congestion. The best way to treat it and break the cycle is to consult a doctor.
Your doctor will likely ask you to wean off the decongestant nasal spray gradually and prescribe a steroid nasal spray to relieve congestion. Most people recover within a week, and their body’s tolerance to the medication gets back to normal after about six months of stopping nasal spray usage.
How to Prevent Decongestant Nasal Spray Overuse
Here are a few tips to safely use and prevent the overuse of decongestant sprays like oxymetazoline hydrochloride nasal spray:
1. Learn how to use a nasal spray correctly and do not use it for longer than 3 days at a stretch.
2. Keep the frequency limited to one spray in each nostril in a span of 12 hours.
3. Do not spray more than two times in one day (24 hours).
4. Use a neti pot to flush out mucus and relieve congestion.
5. Set a reminder or mark the start date on your calendar so you know when it’s time to stop taking the nasal spray.
6. If you accidentally overuse the spray and notice heightened congestion, speak to your doctor.
Nasal Sprays That Do Not Cause Rebound Congestion
Saline Nasal Sprays
Saline sprays contain a solution of salt mixed with sterilised water. These sprays do not have any medication and can be used safely by most people as and when required. Saline nasal sprays loosen mucus and allow easy drainage. They are quite useful in treating congestion caused by a range of different causes and do not lead to rebound congestion.
Steroid Nasal Sprays
Steroid nasal sprays are another option to curb congestion and relieve allergy symptoms without causing a rebound effect. These sprays contain a corticosteroid as the main ingredient. Steroid sprays can be used long-term under a doctor’s guidance.
However, they take a few days to relieve the symptoms, so it is best to start them a few days before the allergy season begins. Some common side effects of steroid nasal sprays are:
- Burning sensation in the nose
- Nosebleeds
- Sneezing
- Headache
- Irritation in the throat
Antihistamine Nasal Sprays
Nasal sprays containing an antihistamine such as azelastine are also non-habit-forming and do not cause rebound congestion. They may, however, make you sleepy, as drowsiness is one of their side effects.
Like other nasal sprays, these sprays deliver medication right inside the nose and relieve symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and an itchy and runny nose. They work by blocking the effects of histamine, which is released due to an immune response against the allergens.
Takeaway
Nasal sprays do not cause addiction. So, there is no need to learn about overcoming nasal spray addiction. However, overuse of certain sprays, like decongestant nasal sprays, can lead to physical dependence on the medication, causing severe or rebound congestion. This happens whenever one tries to stop using the nasal spray, nudging them to use the spray more frequently to ease their exaggerated symptoms.
Though the cycle of overuse and dependence goes hand in hand, it is possible to break the cycle by tapering the use of decongestant nasal sprays and replacing them with a steroid nasal spray to control the withdrawal symptoms. This must be done under medical supervision.
So, if you think you are dealing with rebound congestion due to overuse of decongestant nasal sprays, seek your doctor’s help soon.
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Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/nasal-spray-addiction#correct-usage
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/addicted-nasal-spray#1-3
