Decongestant nasal sprays are widely used for tackling congestion, but a pharmacist has warned there are important considerations to bear in mind if you’re using them for more than a weekKatie-Ann Gupwell Content Editor and Laura Lyne Reporter
02:00, 17 Jan 2026
Nasal spray users have been issued a warning (stock image)(Image: ozgurcankaya via Getty Images)
Nasal sprays are commonly used throughout the country, but if you depend on them, there’s some vital information you need to know.
While these sprays are favoured for relieving congestion, there are significant factors to consider before incorporating them into your daily regimen. At this time of year, with colder temperatures and numerous bugs doing the rounds, many individuals turn to nasal sprays in a bid to boost their wellbeing.
Nevertheless, according to professional advice, users must proceed with care, and there are particular reasons why vigilance is necessary when using this treatment. A pharmacist, who goes by Pharmacist Anum on TikTok, has recently issued a caution in a straightforward video, explaining what people should know about nasal sprays.
She highlighted that there are certain circumstances when these sprays ought to be avoided. In the video, Pharmacist Anum said: “A major issue I see as a pharmacist is the amount of people addicted to decongestant nasal sprays, but overuse can actually cause a lot of harm. The decongestant nasal sprays I’m referring to are things that contain xylometazoline or oxymetazoline.
“Some brands are things like Otrivin, Sudafed, Vicks. They all do nasal sprays that contain these, so have a look at the ingredient list at the back of your nasal spray.”, reports the Irish Mirror.
“But, overuse of these can cause something called rebound congestion. Now, what this means is when you stop using the nasal sprays, your blocked nose comes back even worse and then you have to resort back to using it.
“You just get stuck in this vicious cycle. Now, as well as the rebound congestion, overuse can actually damage the lining of your sinuses, causing some real long-term issues.
“So you’re actually only meant to be using these nasal sprays for a maximum of five to seven days. If you’ve been using them for longer than seven days, please don’t panic, but do speak with your pharmacist or GP, who can help support wean you off of the decongestant nasal sprays by using things like saline nasal rinses or steam inhalations. These can really help.”
She stressed that if these alternatives fail to bring relief, seeking medical advice remains essential. This is because a doctor can properly investigate what’s causing the problem and offer additional support.
What should you know about the sprays?
- What many aren’t aware of is that excessive use of decongestant nasal sprays can lead to a pattern of deteriorating congestion called rhinitis medicamentosa (rebound congestion). This happens when the spray stops working effectively and your blocked nose actually gets worse.
- Once the effects fade, you can develop a dependency on the spray. Extended use beyond three to seven days also carries the risk of harming the nasal tissues.
- This can lead to what’s called rebound congestion. The spray functions by narrowing blood vessels in your nose, but overuse diminishes their ability to respond.
- This results in heightened swelling when the medication wears off. Additionally, there’s a danger of becoming too reliant on nasal sprays.
- If you discover you need them simply to breathe properly, you might end up using them excessively.
- In some cases, these sprays can cause the nasal structures to become thicker (a condition referred to as turbinate hypertrophy) and impair the function of the microscopic hairs inside your nose (cilia). There are numerous significant reasons why overuse should be prevented.
- The NHS website cautions: “Decongestant nasal sprays and drops should not be used for more than a week at a time because using them for too long can make your stuffiness worse. Speak to a GP if your symptoms do not improve after this time.”
- Additional information about correct usage and who should use them can be accessed on the NHS website. Always ensure you read the instructions thoroughly before taking any medication.
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