The Dangers of Long-Term Nasal Decongestant Spray Use

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Topical decongestants are typically used to relieve nasal congestion due to allergic rhinitis, acute or chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps, or upper respiratory tract infections. However, long-term use of these nasal decongestants can cause rebound swelling of the nasal mucosa. This is called Rhinitis medicamentosa. And is classified as a subset of drug-induced rhinitis. The earliest nasal decongestants mainly derived from ephedrine showed rhinitis medicamentosa developing as early as 3 days after use and up to 4 to 6 weeks after use. All pharmacists therefore advise patients not to use decongestant sprays for more than 2 weeks.

Read the paper 'The Indispensable Nasal Decongestant: Patients’ Views and Perspectives on Nasal Decongestant Overuse' published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology:
https://www.jaci-inpractice.or....g/article/S2213-2198

To better understand the dangers involving the overuse of nasal sprays, join Sophie Scheire, Pharmacist and PhD fellow at Ghent University in Belgium, and Prof. Philippe Gevaert, Professor of Rhinology & Allergy at Ghent University in Belgium and EUFOREA Rhinitis Panel Member.

Sophie Scheire Interview:
1:41 What did your study show?
2:33 Why do #patients keep using nasal decongestant sprays?
3:26 What are the dangers of nasal spray overuse?
4:31 What can be done to raise awareness on this?
6:03 What is the OTC status in other countries?
7:00 How should the collaboration between primary care, pharmacists, GPs and specialists be?

Prof. Philippe Gevaert Interview
8:13 What are the dangers of #nasalspray overuse?
9:23 How do you manage an addiction to a nasal decongestant spray?
10:42 What advice would you give to a patient on a nasal decongestant spray for more than 2 weeks?

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