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As per the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI), the sales of over-the-counter nasal sprays have exhibited a consistent upward trend in recent years. Between 2018 and 2022, there has been a staggering 36 percent surge in sales. In 2022 alone, the total number of packs sold for mucosa-decongestant nasal spray reached a notable 8.8 million.
That's a great way to increase sales - get people addicted. have you ever known anyone who got addicted to nasal spray?
That's a great way to increase sales - get people addicted. have you ever known anyone who got addicted to nasal spray?
Well, I wouldn't say that I got addicted, but I definitely overused it several years ago when I had a cold. My nose was just so stuffed up that I kept using the nasal spray multiple times a day and you're not supposed to do that. My body got used to the spray and I had to keep using it using it for a few weeks or my nose would stay stuffed up. I sucked up one night and didn't use the nasal spray... it was tough to sleep that night, but everything turned back to normal the next day..
They are addictive and it's happened to me a couple times in my life. About a 10 years ago I found out they were making my blood pressure high so broke the habit for good. I use Simply Saline if I feel the need and just live with a partially stuffy nose.
I don't know that you'd call it addictive, but there are some that work very well the first few times you use them, but after that you build up a tolerance to them and they become less effective. After that you have to use them more and more frequently to get the desired effects. Afrin nasal spray is one of those that comes to mind.
Is "Norwegian nasal spray" code for something? What are they putting in that spray to have caused such an uptick? LOL
I've never used nasal spray in my life, and I've had plenty of colds with a stuffy nose. It passes in a few days. The thought of sniffing liquid into my nose has always freaked me out.
I don't know that you'd call it addictive, but there are some that work very well the first few times you use them, but after that you build up a tolerance to them and they become less effective. After that you have to use them more and more frequently to get the desired effects. Afrin nasal spray is one of those that comes to mind.
Technically and pharmaceutically, not addictive. But your mucosa rebound after a short period of time. Result is the same, you need to keep using it.
I've gotten many patients off Afrin and other nasal sprays for years. Buy a large bottle of nasal saline solution and a half ounce or one ounce bottle of your spray. Start with a 50/50 mix for a week. Then mix both bottles completely and use for a week. You are off the original spray.
I can't find the old article, but Norway has a real congestion issue due to the very cold very dry winters and overuse of theses sprays is very common.
Nasal spray addiction is not a true “addiction,” (cravings or physical withdrawal), but it can lead to tissue damage inside the nose. This can result in swelling and long-term stuffiness that leads to further use and overuse of the spray.
For example, here in the US, many people are addicted to Afrin. Afrin is also sold over the counter and therefore is hard to estimate how many people are using it non-stop.
Frequent use of oxymetazoline can cause rhinitis and the symptoms are worse when the medication is stopped. So they continuously use Afrin to avoid these worsening symptoms, and this is often described as “Afrin addiction”.
Millions suffer from addiction to OTC nasal sprays in the US.
I used to used it a lot. I would have one spray on my night stand and one in my pocket book. I would use it 3 -4 times a day. Now I use it maybe a couple of times in the winter if I have a cold. Since using a humidifier for the last 3 months I have never felt better. Have not actually used nasal spray in 1 year. If I have to use it it's at night when my nose is very stuffed or I can't sleep.
I became "addicted" to it too. However, it isn't an addiction, it's a habituation, in response to the rebound effect when the nasal tissues become swollen again.
The feeling of your nasal passages are closing, is frightening and very uncomfortable. That's what happens when you have used it for a week or more for a cold or allergy.
I believe those things are good and the people in India seem to use them quite a bit. Basically, it is a slightly saline solution which you use to rinse out the nasal passages.
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