Sinus Problems? Afrin Nasal Spray

[Holly]

Wow. Ok I was desperate for some relief so I tried Afrin Nasal Spray. Main Ingredient is Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride. Now, the package says I can only squirt a couple times every 12 hours, and have to stop after 3 days. Ok so I try it.....it hurts, then feels really weird, kind of like a steroid shot or something. So I'm curious as to what I just squirted in my body......did a little research and found the following listed in the MSDS for Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride:

Listed Under Hazards Identification:

Potential Acute Health Effects:
Extremely hazardous in case of ingestion. Very hazardous in case of inhalation. Hazardous in case of skin
contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant). Severe over-exposure can result in death.

Under Toxicological Information:

Routes of Entry: Inhalation. Ingestion.
Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 0.68mg/kg [Rat].
Chronic Effects on Humans: May cause damage to the following organs: central nervous system (CNS).
Other Toxic Effects on Humans:
Extremely hazardous in case of ingestion.
Very hazardous in case of inhalation.
Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant).

I guess I should be fine with this, since Afrin is only 0.05% of this chemical.
Either way, I was surprised to see this. Will I stop using it? Hell no...it's given me the only relief I've seen in 2 weeks. Will I stop in 3 days? Hell yes.

[srwatters]

It's basically Hydrochloric acid. You know the stuff they use in swimming pools.

It is VERY addictive and if used consistantly will perforate your septum just like the Peruvian Marching Powder. Your sinuses will become accustomed to it and the congestion will return. Been there done that, not a pretty picture.

[Digital Prophet]

Originally Posted by srwatters

Your sinuses will become accustomed to it and the congestion will return. Been there done that, not a pretty picture.

I say the hell with it, puff away. Personally I don't do sprays b/c I can't stand that drippy nostril feeling. Icky.

- Digital Prophet -

[LoungeLizard]

Get a prescription for RhinoCort or one of the similar sprays. Works considerably better and less side effects (though they do have some steroid content)!

[blonboy]

Vicks Sinex 12 hour.

@ Scott - amazing........i know someone that very thing happened to. Especially the addiction part. I think it burned the lining out of their nose.

[JamesB]

oh man stay away from Afrin, my sister became an Afrin junkie and it messed her up. Took here a long time to kick the afrin habit.

I NEVER take any medications unless I really really really need to. or unless the Dr. makes me do it.

you will build up a tollerance to meds and it will take bigger doses to get the same affect as the small recommended dose

James

[Odinhaus]

Even before you read what it contained, I think you are one very, very brave person.. I would have to be stone cold dead before anyone sprayed anything up my nose

[brad]

I will second the addiction story.. only mine was personal. I became addicted to it in Spring of 2004 and didn't manage to kick it until late summer... and I'm fairly convinced that addiction was at the root of the bronchitis and walking pnuemonia that I developed right after that.

Do NOT use it for more than three days, as recommended on the label.. if you do, you could end up in the same boat. You won't be able to breathe through your nose without it.

(I still use it, but for no more than once a day and no more than 2 days in any given week.)

[ShutteredEye]

Believe it or not a significant number of people have found relief for seasonal allergies and allergy induced rhinitis with regular chiropractic care.

Just something to think about while you're stuffing addictive toxic chemicals up your nose.;)

[Holly]

Ok, I'm tossing it :) The relief from symptoms after the first dose must have been an anomoly....I was very busy afterwards and perhaps was just not paying attention to the symptoms that were probably there, had I stopped to look. (I'm sure this is about 75% in my head anyway, as are most minor illnesses - take you mind off it - poof! it goes away) Second dose has not given me any relief whatsoever. So, in liu of recent addictive findings, not to mention the toxicitiy of the drug....she's going in the trash as we speak. Thanks everyone for your input. And mountainlander, I did hear that. But having had back surgery, I have made a promise to my Neurosurgeon not to go to a Chiropractor without his consent.

[Elsaspet]

"Peruvian Marching Powder" LOL Scott!

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by Elsaspet

"Peruvian Marching Powder" LOL Scott!

I lived through the 80's. Just barely, but I survived

[Clint_Smith]

I had a bad case of the head crud a few years back..the doc gave me a steroid nasal spray that worked wonders called Benocase. But my balls shriveled and got acne but I could bench press 300lbs.

But the last time I had a case of the head crud he gave me a steroid shot in the butt and it took effect in about 20 minutes and didnt have the side effects of the nasal spray that I was on for a month.

as much as I hate shots, I would see about the injection.


Peruvian Marching Powder.....reminds me of the magic dust from the cheech and chong christmas song....

Cheech - "little bit for santa clause...little bit more for santa clause"
Chong - "And this got the Reindeers off man?"
Cheech - "GOT THEM OFF?! Man, they flew all the way around the world!"