Something that merits a post is definitely a comparison/discussion of Afrin and Fluticasone. I have some thoughts on this topic that might help somebody…that is if anybody is ever able to find this website.
So, I’ve been using Fluticasone…let’s just call it Flonase for ease…I’ve been using Flonase for…over a year now…and, I know that it doesn’t help me much…sometimes it makes things worse it seems…but, I’m an idiot that’s desperate…so, I always end up giving it another try. I said I was an idiot. I suppose another word for that is optimist.
OUCH!
So, my main contribution to this discussion is that I’m a guy with chronic nasal congestion…the doctors ruled out allergies…I got prescribed Flonase…and, as mentioned, it really didn’t help… BUT…
I tried Afrin, and it works for me.
So, that’s the first thing I have to contribute: Afrin can work for an individual who had bad results with Flonase.
My fear with using Afrin is what they call rebound congestion if you use it more than 3 days in a row.
THIS is the part that most interests me from that link:
One study looked at the concurrent use of oxymetazoline and fluticasone to determine if they could augment the response of each on congestion. It compared three treatment groups: placebo, oxymetazoline alone, and fluticasone with oxymetazoline.
In this study, oxymetazoline was used for longer than the recommended duration of three days. Nasal air volume was significantly higher in the group using both oxymetazoline and fluticasone. It was also noted that rebound congestion was not present, suggesting that effect with oxymetazoline alone should be studied further. Your healthcare provider can help determine which product(s) are best for you.
So, this is damn interesting to me.
For one thing: I haven’t yet experienced rebound congestion because I’ve used Afrin so sparingly. However, I’ve concluded that the Afrin works SO DAMN WELL that I want to use it a lot more.
Thus, I am concerned…I would like to try to avoid the rebound congestion. That sounds like a nightmare.
So…I do have a prescription for the fluticasone. Hell, I’ve got like six bottles of the stuff in my closet because I stopped using it but kept on picking-up the prescriptions because…I don’t know…anyway.
So, starting on maybe December 11, 2021, I started using both the Afrin and Flonase together because of the block quote above about that study….I’d love it to avoid this rebound congestion and just be able to breathe through my nose on a regular basis.
That’s it.
Hi!!! Happy New Year 2023! I am an Avid Afrin user. My ENT’s manures practitioner that stood in for her told me to stop afrin … she said it was so bad for you. REALLY?? What is bad for me is NOT BREATHING! I Do not have any allergies so Flonase would be useless to me. I have severe sinus issues and excess mucus. So Afrin works best. I use it 2 times a day (or more if I can’t breathe). I searched the difference between the two and found that Flonase was typically for allergies. That would be treating symptoms I don’t have just so I don’t use Afrin? I have been on Afrin for a year. 2021 I had 4 sinus infections. And had sinus surgery 6-7 years ago and again early last year. I just have an excess mucus problem. My ENT prescribed Dupixent … and that is actually for asthma patients. She is thinking it helps with the mucus in my lungs. Which it does to some degree help. But I can only take that injection 1 x in 2 weeks. So … it has always taken more than your average dose to help in my body or sinuses. I’m keeping my Afrin. So, thanks for the post. Afrin is NOT bad for you!
Leah
Hi Leah, thanks for telling your story here. Your situation sounds pretty complicated. I’m not a medical person, but I found it interesting. Your circumstances also sound complicated (given that you had multiple surgeries, etc.)
I’m glad to hear that the Afrin helps you. It helps me quite a bit also. I don’t think I could live comfortably without it. I’ve been using the Afrin with the Flonase for just over a year now. So far so good.
It sounds like you’re not experiencing what they refer to as “rebound congestion” from the Afrin. Nor am I. I agree with you that the Afrin is good stuff. It helps me A LOT!
Best of luck to you!