Doctor warns of terrifying addiction risk of popular over-the-counter cold and flu medications
A doctor has issued a stark warning to frequent users of decongestant sprays because they can cause you to become addicted.
The over-the-counter staples, known by brand names such as Sudafed and Vicks, contain powerful drugs that users can become addicted to if used for weeks, NHS doctor Dr Sooj has warned.
In a clip shared with his 194,000 TikTok followers, the ER doctor said that within a few days of use, the time between doses needed to achieve the easy-breathing effect “decreases and decreases and decreases.”
“Some people have to use them every hour,” he said, adding that he is aware of those who “literally can’t breathe without them.”
“Going cold turkey” would “probably be terrible.” It will be very difficult and terrible. It can lead to months or even a year of nothing but misery.”
Decongestant sprays like Sudafed contain medications such as oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, phenylephrine, and pseudoephedrine that help reduce nasal congestion by reducing the swelling of the blood vessels.
This helps to open the airways in your nostrils, making it easier for you to breathe.
“The problem is that once the spray wears off, the blood flow rushes back into your nose and the blockage just comes back much harder and faster,” said Dr. Sooj.
He added that “with repeated use” you will find that you need to use the drug to breathe normally, even if mucus congestion has reduced.
Dr. Sooj revealed one method of getting rid of the drug, which is to “plug one nostril at a time.”
“And once one nostril has recovered, plug into the other.”
Alternatively, you could “come off it gradually,” he said, and he advised patients perhaps try alternative medications to “try to help it along,” such as nasal steroids.
These medications “may actually help reduce inflammation in your nose,” he said.
Sudafed sprays for stuffy noses cost around £5 at Boots. But experts have warned of the dangers.
‘And then there are other things we can prescribe as well. But if you’re concerned, see a doctor.’
When it comes to over-the-counter cold and flu medicines, Brits have fewer options than they used to.
Last year, health chiefs rushed to pull 20 different cold and flu medicines from shelves over fears they could cause fatal allergic reactions.
The medicines regulator ruled that products containing pholcodine – which was found in some Day and Night Nurse products – increased the risk of life-threatening anaphylaxis in patients given general anaesthesia.
Experts instead recommend steam inhalation — hover over a bowl of hot water and cover your head with a towel — to help cold and flu symptoms, as well as lozenges, honey and a linctus cough syrup.
