Why should oxymetazoline not be used to treat stuffy nose for a long time?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Pharmacist Huynh Xuan Loc - Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital
To treat nasal congestion, many patients often use drugs containing Oxymetazoline. However, using oxymetazoline-containing medicine for long-term nasal congestion is not recommended because the drug can cause an unhealthy dependence.

1. What is Oxymethazoline-containing medicine?

The use of medicines containing Oxymethazoline is to constrict the blood vessels in the lining of the nose, reducing blood flow, thereby helping to relieve congestion and congestion. Oxymetazoline is commonly indicated for the temporary relief of symptoms of nasal congestion caused by allergies, upper respiratory tract infections, colds, sinusitis, and rhinitis.
The drug has a rapid local effect in about 5 - 10 minutes and lasts about 6 to 12 hours after taking the drug.

2. Why not use medicine containing Oxymethazoline to treat stuffy nose for a long time?

Oxymethazoline only provides temporary relief of symptoms. If used regularly and continuously for a long time (over 3 days), the drug can cause some serious effects such as:
Drug dependence: also known as "drug tolerance". This is a reverse condition because after stopping the drug, the symptoms of nasal congestion and congestion reappear and are aggravated by the dilation of blood vessels in the nose. Accordingly, the patient must take more medication to relieve this stuffy nose. In the long term, the increasing demand for drugs creates a vicious circle that makes patients have to continue to use and depend on drugs, indispensable for drugs. In addition, the drug also has side effects that cause irritation of the nasal mucosa and some systemic side effects, due to the drug's absorption into the blood, such as nausea, headache, dizziness, anxiety, nervousness, increased blood pressure. or even cause arrhythmia.

3. Using medicine containing Oxymethazoline how to treat stuffy nose is correct?

With the above notes, the use of drugs containing Oxymethazoline to treat stuffy nose for a long time is not recommended. To ensure the safe and effective use of the drug, the patient should note the following instructions:
Read the instructions carefully before using; Do not arbitrarily exceed the allowed drug dose and exceed the treatment time; The drug is not used for children under 6 years old; Do not use the drug for people who are sensitive to the ingredients of the drug, people with cardiovascular diseases, hyperthyroidism, narrow-angle glaucoma or prostate enlargement; Use the recommended dose for up to 3 days. The prolongation of treatment must be consulted and decided by the doctor....

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References:
Kristin Hayes, RN, What Is Rebound Congestion?, 2019, UptoDate, Oxymetazoline (nasal): Drug information,