Nasal spray 'addiction': Are you hooked?

You're not actually "addicted" to the ingredients in decongestant nasal sprays as much as you are to what the ingredients do — which is clear your nasal passages. Even so, this is not a true addiction.

Nasal congestion occurs when blood vessels in the lining of your nose (nasal membranes) expand (dilate), such as due to a cold or allergies. Decongestant nasal sprays reduce congestion by narrowing (constricting) these blood vessels.

After a few days of using a decongestant nasal spray, your nasal membranes may become tolerant — or less responsive — to the effects of the medication. As a result, you may need to use more and more of the medication to control congestion or your congestion may worsen if you stop using the medication (rebound congestion). Some people mistake this as nasal spray "addiction." But it really isn't. Addiction is a compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance known to be physically, psychologically or socially harmful.

If you develop a tolerance to decongestant nasal sprays, it isn't permanent. Stop using the nasal spray for several weeks to reverse your tolerance. In the meantime, talk to your doctor about other methods for reducing nasal congestion, such as oral decongestants, saline nasal sprays or steroid nasal sprays. These medications do not cause rebound congestion.

Doctors recommend that you use a decongestant nasal spray for no more than three to four days in a row to prevent rebound congestion.