It can also be used to stopnosebleeds.
This signals your blood vessels to constrict, which reduces inflammation.
Afrin starts to work quickly.
Verywell / Joules Garcia
After using it, you should start to feel the effects within five to 10 minutes.
Nasal congestion is primarily due to mucosal inflammation.
Itchiness and sneezing are also common.
What Is Oxymetazoline?
Oxymetazoline, the active ingredient in Afrin, belongs to a class of drugs calledvasoconstrictors.
Afrin does not containsteroidslike some other nasal sprays.
The bottle is firm and topped with a spring-loaded trigger pump that you place in your nostril.
Do not use Afrin more than twice in any 24-hour period.
Specifically, it should never be used for more than three days in a row.
If nasal congestion persists after three days, speak with your healthcare provider about alternate solutions.
Possible Side Effects and Interactions
As with all drugs, Afrin can cause side effects.
They tend to be mild to manageable, but, for some people, they can be significant.
Any abnormalities in heartbeats following a dose of Afrin should be checked out immediately by a healthcare professional.
Certain drugs can also interact with Afrin and worsen the side effects of oxymetazoline.
Chief among these is a class of antidepressants calledmonoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
If used, Afrin can cause chest pains, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting.
Afrin should never be used if you have a known allergy to oxymetazoline.
Doing so increases the risk of a rare but potentially life-threatening, whole-body allergy known asanaphylaxis.
It works by causing the blood vessels in the nose and sinuses to constrict.
Afrin can be used up to twice daily.
A Word From Verywell
Afrin is a very effective over-the-counter nasal decongestant.
However, there are some caveats to its use.
It’s important to check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking Afrin.
2018 Dec 1;56(4):343-50. doi:10.4193/Rhin17.150
DailyMed.Afrin original.
