Oxymetazoline nasal and Increased Heart Rate: What Users Say

• Ner...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2022

Oxymetazoline nasal for Nasal Congestion "PROS: It cleared up my nasal congestion after 5 days of not being able to breathe normally, and that was HEAVEN. CONS: It made my entire body tremor, my hands and feet sweat, and my heart rate sit at 130+. When awoken from my sleep with these symptoms, it felt very counterproductive, seeing as I couldn’t fall back asleep feeling that nervous and shaky. I guess, luckily, I could breathe though. I do not have high blood pressure or any other diagnosed heart condition. Maybe I’ve just got a sensitive autonomic system that did not like that 'adrenaline dump' right before bed. Afrin works as a vasoconstrictor, and that can come with these above-listed side effects. Lesson learned."

• Sho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2015

Oxymetazoline nasal for Nasal Congestion "Worked very well, however, heed the warnings on the label. This product, and I assume all with oxymetazoline, caused me shortness of breath, anxiety attacks, rapid heartbeat, and irregular rhythm. After 2 days, my congestion worsened, but was still relieved via Afrin, however, my concern for the side effects and label warning led me to search for other products that would be able to be used more regularly and without causing said side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 9, 2024

Oxymetazoline nasal for Nasal Congestion "I have used Afrin nasal spray for many years but only at short intervals. I only use this when nasal saline doesn't work for me. Afrin shrinks the membranes, and I can breathe again. I have had a rapid heartbeat and skipped beats on occasion. Also, it exacerbates my hypertension at times. It worked well for me."

• Tod...
• September 6, 2017

For Nasal Congestion "Used this due to facial flushing and anxiety to clear up my stuffy nose. 2 sprays in each nostril once a day for 2 days ended me up in the ER. High blood pressure and rapid heart rate... very rapid. Normally my BP is 118/78, last night 155/93. ER doc was like no more Afrin, gave me a sedative and kept an eye on me for 4 hours. Wore off slowly. Stuff works great, but there are the side effects!"

• Joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 8, 2019

For Nasal Congestion "I have been using generic Afrin, oxymetazoline from the Dollar Tree store for a number of years. I have been trying to switch to fluticasone propionate unsuccessfully. Tonight, using both of these together caused my heart to start racing and pounding. So, I will need to switch to something else. And it looks like it can cause prostate enlargement in men, resulting in unnecessary biopsies. I did notice a change in packaging recently. I have to squeeze the cap where it is marked and then turn counterclockwise. Then the pump handle has to be turned counterclockwise to spray."

• Joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 8, 2019

For Nasal Congestion "I have been using generic Afrin, oxymetazoline from the Dollar Tree store for a number of years. I have been trying to switch to fluticasone propionate unsuccessfully. Tonight, using both of these together caused my heart to start racing and pounding. So, I will need to switch to something else. And it looks like it can cause prostate enlargement in men, resulting in unnecessary biopsies. I did notice a change in packaging recently. I have to squeeze the cap where it is marked and then turn counterclockwise. Then the pump handle has to be turned counterclockwise to spray."

• Ann...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 17, 2020

For Nasal Congestion "I had the same problem with the pump-style top (almost impossible to use!), but CVS carries a generic that's an old-fashioned simple squeeze bottle, and it works fine. I use it for nighttime allergy-induced stopped-up nose, and it works great; one squirt and a sniff, and within a couple of minutes I can breathe. No trouble sleeping, no elevated heart rate or blood pressure spikes (and I do have elevated BP, for which I take meds). Would definitely recommend, just be sure NOT to get the pump version!"

• Use...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2020

Oxymetazoline nasal for Nasal Congestion "Worsened nose congestion and made my heart rate go through the roof! Do not recommend."