Afrin Nose Spray & Smell Loss

[AfrinSmell Loss78]

I've got a bit of a cold and it's allergy/pollen season here in Atlanta so that's not helping either, but I have used Afrin very sparingly over the past couple of days to help with symptoms. I have not used Zicam spray, I've read those can cause damage to olfactory nerves. I did notice yesterday that my sense of smell was gone although I could still breathe through my nose (still a bit congested, but able to breathe). My question is, has Afrin ever been known to cause loss of smell? Is this a temporary thing just due to sinus inflammation or has the Afrin permanently damaged something? I'm a 28 year old male and I've never experienced such a drastic loss of smell. Any help?

[Momma2en]

I just went through this issue. Used Afrin for 5 days, every 12 hours. When I stopped, I lost my sense of smell and taste completely for three days. I was terrified. But, i used the saline gel with aloe and everything came back today. Totally back to normal! So, there is hope! But,I'll never use Afrin again and i do plan to file a complaint with the FDA. There should at least be a warning on that box!

[Subuz]

How long it took to recover after you stopped using Afrin? My wife is under similar condition. She used for 3 days and stopped about 48 hrs ago. She is saying she could smell few things only like 40% rest 60% she is getting some other bad smell along with it. Is this sign of recovery?

[PLipkin01]

In May 2015 I used one application (spray) of Severe Congestion Afrin (mentholated) to clear my nose so I could clear my stuffy nose and sleep with a cold. I experienced a strong stinging/burning sensation that lasted for a couple of minutes. My nose cleared and I could breathe while sleeping; BUT the next day and for the following year to date I have completely lost my sense of smell and associated taste. I visited an ENT doctor about one month after this loss occurred and went through evaluation and treatments of Prednisone, Flonase and Ceftin with no improvement. The ENT scoped my sinus passage and I even had an MRI but none of this attention got me anywhere. I am sure that the cause was the Afrin because it was a sudden result of the one-time spray. My ENT says that he has not had a patient with this experience linked to Afrin and is just mystified.  I've filed a complaint with the FDA and note that many other individuals have too. I'd like to see responses from physicians and/or anyone who actually has confirmation from physicians that are in agreement that Afrin can and has caused anosmia that was temporary or permanent as mine seems to be.

[nicolew13]

Hey everyone, I too had this issue! I had a really bad cold due to finals week and my immune system being down because of all of the stress!! So I just took Afrin and ibuprofen and hoped for the best because I've used both before with no problem. On the 5th day of use (about once a day) I realized at lunch with friends that I couldn't taste A THING, or smell ANYTHING. I was terrified and panicked. Immediately went to my doctor and he said he had heard of this before and had some options for me. He wrote me a script for Prednisone to decrease all the swelling from my acute rhinitis, and recommended Sudafed as well. He also said the most effective way of "washing out" the Afrin use is to use Saline Washes (which I have read many of you have!). I took both medicines and used the rinse twice before I went to sleep. On about hour 36 from the time I realized I had no taste/smell, it was restored! It was faint at first, but progressively my taste and smell has gotten back to normal. So, be patient, I know how panicking it can be, but your body will rid itself of that Afrin (threw it right in the trash) and return to normal in time. Definitely recommend the saline solutions and if your doctor recommends, a oral steroid for inflammation which was probably the primary cause anyway! Good luck all!

[DoctorWhoWasHere]

I used Afrin ONCE! yesterday and my sense of smell and taste were GONE!  I stopped using immediately.  I can taste today. Smell is slowly coming back. This product should be BANNED!!!  I am very upset!

[Subuz]

How do you feel now? I have the same issue right now and scared. pls help.

[allwalker]

I have been addicted to Afrin for 20 years.  I have no sense of smell and car barely taste.  I wonder if my senses can be restored.  Has it affected your senses also?  

[stilljojo]

I was addicted for 7 years....it was a rough 24 hours but I broke the addiction by using saline spray.... but I also lost almost all my sense of smell and taste.  Years later.. I still have little or no sense of smell or taste.  At the moment I am trying aroma therapy sniffing certain essential oils... but I see no results yet..

[2015losssencesmell]

As well as the rest of you I lost my sence of smell and taste after using three times OMG how aweful this has been since FEB 2015 I've seen 2  E.N.T.Doctors and they can't help nothing they can do so I talked with lawyer nothing he can do So who can do something what kind of life is this now coulden't even smell the flowers this year so aggervated.With all these people you think someone could make this right this product should come with warning label WILL LOSE SMELL AND TASTE FOREVER guess what I would not buy that but I did no warning now this effects my life forever thank you AFRIN....Shame on you

[Subuz]

How do you feel now? I have the same issue right now and scared. pls help.