CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they're useless

Re:CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they'... by fnordpiglet on Tuesday October 24, 2023 @08:00PM (#38007427)

My doc gave me a trick that prevents the rebound effect of Afrin (and other addictive vasoconstricting sprays). When you start the Afrin, or about a week before you want to stop it, start using a nasal steroid spray (nasalcort or whatever you prefer). The steroid will prevent the swelling and itself has no rebound period. After a week after stopping the Afrin, stop the steroid as well, and you will successfully be congestion free the entire time.

I prefer this to pseudoephedrine as it’s not a systemic solution to a local problem in the nasal cavity.

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Re:CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they'... by AuryGlenz on Tuesday October 24, 2023 @08:08PM (#38007503)

I made this comment elsewhere but I do a sinus rinse in the morning with Xylitol, and do Afrin at night. Rinsing it out helps with dependence and Xylitol helps with congestion too.

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Re:CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they'... by fnordpiglet on Tuesday October 24, 2023 @08:34PM (#38007693)

I use xylitol rinse daily anyways ;-) helps keep sinus infections at bay.

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Re:CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they'... by jtbayly on Tuesday October 24, 2023 @08:03PM (#38007457)

Why not just use the steroid spray, then?

Cool hack to get off it, but I would still be wary of being on it too long.

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Re:CVS ditches common cold meds after FDA advisers say they'... by fnordpiglet on Tuesday October 24, 2023 @08:33PM (#38007689)

Because the congestion usually starts quickly and there isn’t time to build up the steroid response, which can take a week or more. People with allergies use steroids chronically, so they’re generally considered safe for long term use.

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