Background: Nasal decongestants (NDs) are medications used to relieve flu symptoms and a congested nose. These medications are considered “over-the-counter,” and inappropriate usage is fairly common among patients as well as physicians. However, discontinuation of the medications with appropriate treatment usually resolves this condition. This study aims to assess the pattern of utilization and perception of excessive use of topical NDs among users.
Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaires assessed the demographic characteristics of the population, previous use of NDs, the health condition of the participants, and their perception of using NDs and their paradoxical effects.
Results: Out of 365 participants, with age groups ranging from 18 to 70 years old, the study showed that 144 participants (39.5%) used NDs to relieve symptoms. Exactly 123 (85.4%) of them used nasal spray. ND was prescribed by physicians among 85 (59%) users, by pharmacists among 43 (29.9%), while 33 (22.9%) had an unprescribed decongestant. Regarding the perception of ND, 49 (39.5%) knew why symptoms returned after stopping ND. In addition, 107 (29.3%) knew the effect of prolonged use of ND, while 52 (14.2%) were uncertain. The most reported side effects were using for more than 5 days associated with side effects and the prolapse of symptoms (84.3%), while 19 (11.9%) think that more drug use is associated with more improved symptoms, and 1.9% advised using according to physician prescription.
Conclusion: NDs are widely used. These over-the-counter medications can easily be misused. A common side effect is rhinitis medicamentosa. As a result, we strongly advocate for more health campaigns that address community awareness of the paradoxical effects of NDs.
Key words: Nasal decongestant, rebound rhinitis, paradoxical effect, utilization pattern
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