Russian doctor Igor Manevich, an ear, nose and throat specialist, warned that the misuse of vasoconstrictor nasal drops during the treatment of a cold could have serious health consequences.
The doctor said: “When nasal drops are used to treat nasal congestion during a cold, part of the active ingredient in these drops leaks into the bloodstream, especially with repeated use, exceeding the recommended dose, or if there is damage to the nasal mucosa. In such cases, the topical medication acts as a stimulant for the sympathetic nervous system, narrowing blood vessels not only in the nose but throughout the body, which affects blood pressure and heart rate.”
He added: “With proper short-term use in healthy individuals, the effect of these drops on the heart is minimal, but misuse of these drugs, combining them with other decongestant drugs, or using them in patients with cardiovascular diseases, may cause high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and irregular heartbeat, and in rare cases may lead to serious complications.”
The doctor pointed out that the most vulnerable groups include: people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and severe arteriosclerosis, as well as the elderly and children, and advised them to consult a doctor before using any type of nasal decongestant.
