Medical Health Encyclopedia

Long Acting Nasal-Delivery Decongestants. They are effective in a few minutes and remain so for 6 to 12 hours. The primary ingredient in long-acting decongestant is the following:

• Oxymetazoline: Brands include Vicks Sinex (12-hour brands), Afrin (12-hour brands), Dristan 12-Hour, Good Sense, Nostrilla, Neo-Synephrine 12-Hour.
• Xylometazoline: Inspire, Otrivin, Natru-vent.

Short-Acting Nasal-Delivery Decongestants. The effects usually last about four hours. The primary ingredients in short-acing decongestants are the following:

• Phenylephrine: Neo-Synephrine (mild, regular, high-potency), 4-Way, Dristan Mist Spray, Vicks Sinex.
• Naphazoline (Naphcon Forte, Privine).

Dependency and Rebound. The major hazard with nasal-delivery decongestants, particularly long-acting forms is a cycle of dependency and rebound effects. The 12-hour brands pose a particular risk for this effect. This effect works in the following way:

• With prolonged use (more than three to five days), nasal decongestants lose effectiveness and even cause swelling in the nasal passages.
• The patient then increases the frequency of their dose. The congestion worsens and the patient responds with even more frequent doses, in some cases to as often as every hour.
• Individuals then become dependent on them.

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Tips for Use. The following precautions are important for people taking nasal decongestants:

• When using a nasal spray, spray each nostril once. Wait a minute to allow absorption into the mucosal tissues, and then spray again.
• Keep the nasal passages moist. All forms of nasal decongestants can cause irritation and stinging. They also may dry out the affected areas and damage tissues.
• Do not share droppers and inhalators with other people.
• Use decongestants only for conditions requiring short-term use, such as before air travel or for a single-allergy attack. Do not take them more than three days in a row. With prolonged use, nasal decongestants become ineffective and result in the so-called rebound effect and dependence.
• Discard sprayers, inhalators, or other decongestant delivery devices when the medication is no longer needed. Over time, these devices can become reservoirs for bacteria.
• Discard the medicine if it becomes cloudy or unclear.

Oral Decongestants