Sleep Disorders Treatment Afrin Nasal Spray Works as Short-Term Decongestant Overuse May Lead to Rebound Congestion By Brandon Peters, MD facebook twitter Brandon Peters, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist. Learn about our editorial process Brandon Peters, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD on November 20, 2019 Sanja Jelic, MD, is board-certified in sleep medicine, critical care medicine, pulmonary disease, and internal medicine. Learn about our Medical Review Board Sanja Jelic, MD Updated on December 02, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Uses Contraindications Side Effects Potential Complications Afrin is sold over-the-counter as a nasal spray and works as a decongestant. Its generic name is oxymetazoline nasal. Applied as a spray into the nostrils, it may provide temporary relief from nasal congestion commonly associated with allergies or colds. What are the uses of Afrin? Explore how it works, some of the common side effects, and why it shouldn't be used on a long-term basis to treat stuffiness and difficulty breathing through the nose due to the risk of "addiction" and rebound congestion with overuse. Karl Tapales / Moment / Getty Images Uses Afrin is a medication that is used as a decongestant to reduce nasal and sinus stuffiness. This congestion may be present as part of the common cold or in the setting of allergies. It may lead to difficulty breathing through the nose in sleep and contribute to snoring or sleep apnea. Afrin provides temporary relief of these symptoms. How It Works It is a solution that's applied as a squirt into the nostril. Once applied, Afrin stimulates receptors in the smooth muscle of the blood vessels of the nose, leading to constriction of these blood vessels that, in turn, reduces nasal congestion. Afrin is not addictive in the same way that other drugs may be. Afrin may lead to rebound congestion, however, if it's overused. In this condition, as the medication wears off, nasal congestion increases. This limits its usefulness to the short-term relief of nasal congestion; it should not be used chronically. What Is Rebound Congestion? Who Should Not Use Afrin Afrin should not be used by children younger than 6 years, or by people who are pregnant. If you've used a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor within 14 days, do not use Afrin. In addition, caution should be exercised if you have the following conditions: Hypertension (high blood pressure)Heart diseaseHyperthyroidismDiabetes mellitusProstate enlargementGlaucoma In addition, Afrin has the potential to interact with other medications, so you should review all drugs that you are taking with your doctor if you're using, or plan to use, Afrin. How Saline Sprays Relieve Nasal Congestion Side Effects As with any drug, there is the potential for harmful side effects with the use of Afrin. Although you wouldn't be expected to experience most side effects—and likely wouldn't experience any of them—some of the more common ones that can occur with the use of Afrin include: Nose irritation or drynessSneezingRebound congestion (the medication causing congestion with long-term use)DizzinessBlood pressure elevationTachycardia (fast heart rate)Heart palpitationsRestlessnessInsomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) Potential Serious Reactions There is also the risk of developing serious reactions with the use of Afrin. Though these would be expected to occur less frequently, some of the potential serious side effects of Afrin use include: Heart arrhythmiasChest pain (angina) Precautions As above, there are some people who should use Afrin with caution or not at all. Afrin should not be used for the long-term relief of nasal congestion, as the overuse of Afrin beyond a few days may lead to rebound congestion. If you suffer from chronic nasal congestion, you may wish to pursue alternative prescription therapy with the use of a nasal corticosteroid. If you have any difficulties with the use of Afrin, you should be in close contact with your doctor. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tossing and turning night over night can have a big impact on your quality of life. Our free guide can help you get the rest you need. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Vaidyanathan S, Williamson P, Clearie K, Khan F, Lipworth B. Fluticasone reverses oxymetazoline-induced tachyphylaxis of response and rebound congestion. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2010;182(1):19-24. doi:10.1164/rccm.200911-1701OC MedlinePlus. Oxymetazoline nasal spray. Updated September 15, 2016. Additional Reading "Afrin." Epocrates Rx Pro. Version 5.1.2, 2013. Epocrates, Inc. San Mateo, California.