Afrin Reviews

Melissa, your experience with afrin is exactly what I went through last night....sleeplesness, anexity bordeing on an anexity attack. I've only taken it twice a day for 3 days....exactly what the directions said. My doctor told me to use it for a sinus infection. I will NEVER take it again! I had no idea it would make me feel this way??? How long did the side effects last after you stopped taking it?

I became ill with a severe cold and started using Afrin 12 hour releif seven days ago. I have been suffering from severe insomnia since!! In additon; I feeling I can't get a full breath. Heart racing as well. As I was laying here fatigued beyond measure and deeply concerned as to why I feel so aweful and why my heart is bothering me so, it hit me. IT'S THE AFRIN!!! This is exactly why my illness is not any better. The lack of sleep is not allowing my body to heal it's self.  I am highly upset and will NEVER use Afrin again.
 I am thankful to the Lord for helping me find this site. Thank you for your posts. Grateful for truth.

Interesting, I started using Afrin (the generic Walgreen's brand actually Anefrin)last Saturday 2-12-2010 used only once daily around 12:30pm sat and sunday afternoon. Then again sunday evening around 8:30pm, then again Monday evening around 9:30pm and again Tuesday around 9:30pm and finally Wednesday evening around 10:45pm. Since I began using it last Saturday, I have experienced MAJOR trouble sleeping. I had no idea that the use of this product could lead to insomnia, anxiety, etc... Last night was the worst I got no sleep at all, I've lost my appetite and weight.I tossed and prayed all night. (Blessing in disguise!) I just want sleep and peace of mind again...STAT! Thank you Lord for helping all who are suffering with these symptoms. Good to know I ain't crazy or alone! 

I was given two nasal sprays to clear my congestion by my doctor.  One is a steroid the other a decongestant (afrin); I've been using each for about 5 days, but last night experienced severe insomnia and increased heart rate.  I assumed it was a side effect from the medicine, though I am prone to panic attacks too, so it was hard to figure out what I was experiencing.  I decided at the end of the night that it was indeed the medicine (for there was no one thing triggering anxiety, and hence a panic attack).  I called my phramacist and he said the increased heart rate is unlikely, and in fact he had never heard of it.  So it's confusing.  After the call I concluded (very unscientifically) that what I was experiencing was a panic attack.  Then I found this string of posts. 

Will you tell me, just so I have some peace of mind, what specifically your ER doctor told you about the effects of Afrin?  I'm going to discontinue use until I feel safe using it.  Thanks for your response.

Afrin was the only nasal decongestant that worked for me and I've been using it since a long time. Usually fall and winter (as you can see that's much more than 3 days). I can easily say that I've been addicted to it. I stopped using it a while ago when I noticed that I was getting very nervous, my heart was racing, but of course that did not stop me from puting Afrin totally away until I fainted in my boyfriends apartment at night and had a seizure. Even after that I did not put all the symptoms together. (I don't take any other medication besides my vitamins). I did my research about afrin and I found out that the side effects I had are rare but may occur so be very careful with using Afrin.

This product work great for me when in need. I rarley get sick, but it helps me sleep and function, however, I used a dosage before bed and could not sleep at all. I was tired and sick, but could not sleep at all. Maybe I bought the wrong formula than normal, but no sleeping sucked 

IT IS DEVASTATING FOR RESTLESS LEGS!!!
IF YOU HAVE IT, AVOID IT1

I used Afrin Severe Congestion once in each nostril, and a couple hours later Iwoke up with a fluttering feeling in my chest.  I checked my pulse and it was irregular.  This had never happen to me before; so I went to the Emergency Room to rule out a heart attack.  My cardiac markers were normal, so the ER Doc sent me home with a warning not to use Afrin anymore.  Which is really a shame.  I have had good success with it over the years when bad congestion kept me from falling asleep.  I'm 50 now, so I guess a lot of things are going to be changing.

It worked great. I got a cold that was preventing me from performing my duties as a clinician. However, while I was on it, I experienced complete anosmia. With out use, I was very congested and miserable, but I could pick up faint smells. I hadn't experienced it (to my knowledge) until the most recent time I used it. I don't want that side effect to become permanent, so CONCLUSION: I will not use Afrin again. 

Anosmia

I posted the previous post about the "body burning" episodes. I forgot to mention that I have been having severe...insomnia, migraines, depression, fatigue, extremem irratibility, panic attacks....you name it! This stuff is poison when not used properly! I also showed up last week with a thyroid nodule!

I was stupid...used it for about 6 mos. went thru about 6 consecutive bottles. I have been having extreme anxiety. BAD...I have these attacks where my arms, face, chest feel like they're burning. Sort of like putting "tingle" lotion on for a tanning bed. Feels like I am not getting enough oxygen. It would come and go and was VERY scary. Just figured out that its the nasal spray thats causing all of this! Long term use of steroids is NOT good people!

it sucked

I was prescribed Afrin for sporadic coughing spells with no other symptoms.  I took it as prescribed, and in addition to a burning in my nose and throat each time I took it, it made me restless and irritable.  The coughing was not as pronounced, but added symptoms included sleeplessness and congestion in my throat and nasal passage.  The cure was worse than the original problem.  Upon doctor's advise, I stopped using the Afrin after three days, as indicated.  Here it is on Day 5, and I am suffering with congestion and cold-like symptoms, which were not there before.

I used Afrin ONCE for a extremely congested nasal tract during a bout with acute sinusitis and upper respiratory infection. After the infection began to clear up, I lost my sense of smell for days in addition to plugged-up ears. My sinus' are still congested after 7 days of having the infection and using the Afrin. Could my loss of smell and taste be from the Afrin or just a coincidence from the upper respiratory infection and swelling of my sinus tract?