Afrin Side Effects

Some of the common side effects of Afrin nasal spray include temporary burning or stinging, nasal dryness, or worsening of congestion with prolonged use. In most cases, these side effects are mild and easily treated. However, you should seek medical attention immediately if you develop serious side effects, such as difficulty breathing, heart palpitations, or an unexplained rash.

Afrin Nasal Spray

An Introduction to Afrin Side Effects

Just like any medicine, Afrin^® (oxymetazoline nasal spray) can cause side effects. However, not everyone who uses the medication will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.

(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Afrin. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Afrin side effects with you.)

Possible Side Effects of Afrin

Some of the bothersome (but not usually dangerous) side effects of oxymetazoline (the active ingredient in Afrin) include:

Temporary burning
Temporary stinging
Nasal dryness
Sneezing
Worsening of congestion with prolonged use (see Afrin Addiction).

Serious Afrin Side Effects

Some side effects with Afrin, while occurring infrequently, are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. These include but are not limited to:

High blood pressure (hypertension)
Heart palpitations
Difficulty passing urine
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:

An unexplained rash or hives
Itching
Unexplained swelling, especially of the mouth, lips, or throat
Wheezing or difficulty breathing.

(Afrin Side Effects Continued: Page 2)