Nasal decongestant sprays and drops containing xylometazoline hydrochloride / oxymetazoline hydrochloride: increased risk of rebound congestion, rhinitis medicamentosa, and tachyphylaxis with overuse

• Nasal decongestant sprays/drops containing xylometazoline or oxymetazoline carry a risk of rebound congestion and rhinitis medicamentosa with overuse, requiring cautious patient counselling on duration of use.
• Tachyphylaxis (reduced efficacy with continued use) is associated with these sympathomimetic agents, limiting their clinical utility for prolonged nasal congestion management.
• Current evidence supports limiting use of these topical decongestants to short-term courses (typically ≤7 days) to minimise adverse effects and dependency-related complications.

There have been reports of worsening nasal congestion (rebound congestion) when the effects of nasal decongestant sprays or drops containing xylometazoline hydrochloride and oxymetazoline hydrochloride, wear off.

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