Rhinitis Medicamentosa

History of using OTC sympathomimetic nasal sprays / drops for >3-4 days
  • Afrin®, Neo-Synephrine®, etc. (products with oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, naphazoline, or xylometazoline)
  • Due to rebound nasal congestion
  • May persist daily for years
  • NOT from using saline nose drops
TREATMENT:   Rx Nasal steroid sprays AND discontinue culprit OTC product:
   — May need to taper as follows:
  • Continue OTC product in one nostril only (other side of nose will feel terrible, but eventually recover)
  • Then discontinue completely (remaining side of nose will tough it out until recovery)

See posting Nasal Congestion.

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