Afrin for Nasal Congestion User Reviews (Page 3)

• JRB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2021

"To be honest, I would rather have just had a stuffy nose. Used Afrin for a cold because my nose was extremely congested, and I wanted it clear so I could sleep. To the medicine’s credit… it did clear my nose. But the side effects aren’t a worthwhile trade-off. I had a headache for the entire day afterward, and my nose burned like fire. At first, it was just an annoying burning, then it turned into a sharp nerve pain in my left nostril after about 18 hours. I also sneezed so many times I lost count. Feeling a bit better now by the second day. Many people have complained about the cap on the bottle being hard to open, and I had a bit of trouble with it as well, however, it’s a minor complaint compared to the actual effectiveness of the medicine. Keep in mind, this was just my personal experience, and everyone’s different, of course. But beware of the side effects and decide if it’s worth it for you."

• Tig...
• January 19, 2017

"This company should be sued, they sell nasal spray that you can't even open to use! Waste of money. My husband is ridiculous enough to buy this nasal spray again when we knew we always have a hard time opening the damn thing. And the nasal spray itself isn't as effective, it doesn't spray, it squirts lots of liquid when you give it a quick squeeze. Terrible."

• Mik...
• April 1, 2018

"Neither my wife nor I could open it. If you have kids you are afraid might find and open it, when you can't, take it back for a refund. Otherwise, grab the top of the red cap with a substantial pair of pliers and yank it off. Underneath it is a simple screw-off cap with no gimmicks. The stuff works if you can get at it (but follow precautions), hence my rating reflects efficacy vs. inconvenience."

• Pja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2018

"I forgot about my last experience with the darn cap when I bought this today because it had been quite a while ago. Just took about 20 minutes, practically tearing my fingers up, trying to get the cap off. Finally picked up heavy-duty pet nail clippers and cut through the side of the red cap to get to the spray. Ridiculous! I will forever remember not to buy this product again. The product works IF you can get to it."

• I...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2018

"It is one of the worst products I have come across. It not only frustrated me but also put me in mild depression. I questioned myself a lot of times in the process to open the cap as it took me and my co-traveler 45 min to give up and dig a hole into the cap using a nail cutter. That wasn't easy either, we both got minor injuries but never gave up. I watched a number of YouTube videos and read blogs, but nothing seemed to work. Someone needs to take responsibility and fix the design of the cap. Please don't make people more frustrated in times of dire need."

• Jca...
• January 4, 2017

"Shameful! You sell medication that can't be used because Bayer chose to save money using a defective bottle that won't open. Clearly, no quality control or concern for consumers-even if they are strong, healthy drilling rig operators."

• Jea...
• January 21, 2016

"My new doctor recommended I use Afrin for my sinus congestion. The first time, my nose and my throat burned and stung. Now my throat is sore, and I lost my voice. It made my illness worse. I was better off using saline."

• Uvi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2022

"The new design is a nightmare. Not only is the cap a struggle (a REAL struggle) to remove, the actual pump doesn't work half the time. You can hear that there's still solution in the bottle, but it won't spray. Sometimes I can twirl the dispenser around to get it to work, but I've had to throw bottles away as they are simply defective. I'll be looking for other solutions until the company comes up with something better. Say-how about the last design????"

• Gil...
• November 7, 2015

"I have used Afrin for years. Until yesterday, I would have given a much higher review. In the months since I last needed it, I found that I had to have it removed from a security box at the register, and, in addition to the safety seal, one is now required to battle a new safety design to remove the top. I have arthritis and a torn ligament in my hand. I concede victory to the bottle and will switch to a different brand. Parents, if you have young children, please put all medications - including Afrin - out of reach. If you have teenagers, please tell them not to make meth..."

• Blo...
• March 26, 2022

"I use Afrin from time to time. Doctors recommend not using Afrin longer than three days, as it’ll cause severe long-term issues and make stuffiness worse. After using it for three days, I consistently had a bloody nose. Getting the cap off was a struggle also."

• boy...
• August 9, 2022

"OK, so as you can see, this review was added in August of 2022. I noticed the top review was written in 2019, and the same issues apply. It really shows what the manufacturer 'manufactured, distributed, or labeled by Bayer HealthCare LLC' cares about their customers. 'It’s kind of hard to use it when a company continues to make the same dumb bottle cap that nobody can open. I spent 30 minutes trying to get the cap open, and it wouldn’t work, and at that point, my hand was pure red. So I decided to use the backside of a hammer to pry it until it finally came off. It’s ridiculous that Afrin hasn’t changed this, and I personally want to say a heartfelt stuff you to the genius that invented this bottle cap.' Shame on Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Target, Rite Aid, ShopRite, and of course, Walmart, just to expose a few... who are clearly aware of this package and yet continue to carry it."

• Stu...
• January 17, 2016

"I have been a satisfied Afrin loyalist for years, but as of today will no longer be able to say the same because the bottles are now outfitted with what appear to be new child protection safety caps, and they are impossible to open. Impossible. After removing the disposable outer plastic seal (not new), I and another perfectly able adult tried and tried to turn and remove the nozzle cap, without success. Meaning, this new design isn't just a minor hindrance or annoyance; we were never able to open and use the product. It will have to be returned for a refund. Disappointing!"

• Cap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 16, 2016

"I had the worst time trying to get the cap off. It's child-proof and adult-proof. I had to end up cutting the cap off. This is my first time using. It seems to be working, and I just used it less than 5 minutes ago. Well, one side of my nostrils is open."

• Anonymous
• February 26, 2017

"Awful experience!! Couldn't get the cap off, so I spent 30 minutes trying to get it off. After 30 minutes and a bloody cut-up thumb, I finally just grabbed my old bottle of Nostril-la (which I would have much rather bought but couldn't find any at the store). For anyone reading this, Nostril-la is a 10/10 for me!! Punctured a hole in the Afrin bottle and squeezed the stuff into the Nostril-la bottle... so Nostril-la, you the real MVP!!"

• Unh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2021

"I would not wish Afrin upon my worst enemy. My nasal cavity burns horribly, and my throat is sore and stingy. I’ve tried saline spray, gargling water, blowing my nose, and taking Advil with no avail. I was at one point on the verge of tears."

• KT7...
• February 27, 2016

"I had the same issue as KimmerD30. I love Afrin, but after about a month from the purchase date, it takes on a mildewy smell, even though the expiration date is at least a year away. It makes me nervous about continuing to use it once this happens. I keep the bottle on my nightstand, so temperature is not an issue. Does anybody know what causes this, and is it still safe to use once this happens?"

• Jud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2021

"I was able to open the bottle a few times, then I could not get it open again. Now, in trying to get the bottle open with a knife, and with a box cutter, and with pliers, I have damaged the top so badly it will never work again. What a terribly designed bottle. I have to give it a low rating because of ease of use. By the way, Afrin works very well if you can get it out of the bottle."

• MPH...
• July 9, 2019

"I cannot wait for the day I can open this stupid cap for the Afrin I’ve been trying for the past day, watch many YouTube videos, and 8 family members have tried to get into the bottle. Never buying this product again after this ongoing experience. I have lost this battle, but I’ll win this war."

• CiC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2019

"I am unable to open the lid, so I can’t really evaluate whether the product works. My daughter and I both tried to open it until our hands were too sore to continue. Please fix the lid problem. I will be returning the product."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 29, 2016

"I bought a squeeze bottle 2 days ago and used it twice before the bottle opened at the seam and leaked all the solution everywhere. This is no longer a quality product, and I will be using alternatives."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2016

"Works, but I guess I used it too often, and it made my nose bleed badly. The child-proof cap is terribly designed and obviously not tested beforehand. I had to use pliers to open the bottle, and that still took time. I'm looking for another brand because of this."

• Alb...
• December 15, 2017

"Here's how Bayer can solve the cap 'problem': say 'squeeze' instead of 'push.' Saying 'push' is confusing when the spray mechanism allows for vertical movement of the cap, because I'm sure that, like me, you all tried pushing it down and then twisting. No. Don't. Just squeeze the red bit and then twist. It comes off immediately. While this is slightly confusing, I figured it out in about, I dunno, 15 seconds? Step 1 when something isn't working: try something else. With that out of the way, here's why this product really sucks: even a single use as directed will have you suffering INTENSE rebound congestion after 10-12 hours, and you will be forced to either spray another dose or suffer several hours of torment. Absolute garbage product."

• Wal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2024

"This stuff works like a charm! I got Covid and it brought in sinus pressure and congestion. My sister is a pharmacist and told me to grab some Afrin. Little did I know, Afrin would be a game changer. It completely opened up my stuffy nose and for 8-10 hours per dose. It allows you to breathe and it helped with pressure in my ears. I highly recommend!"

• Nos...
• May 16, 2022

"I ordered two nasal sprays from Walmart. They substituted one of my originals with an Afrin, so I thought I would try it. Within 30 seconds of using it, my nose started to bleed, very concerning. About an hour later, I used my Equate nasal mist, which is what I normally use, and with absolutely no issues, so I'm returning the Afrin to Walmart."

• HER...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2019

"Purchased on the blind, only to read that I should not take it for more than three days. OK, fine, but what do you do with the remaining spray? At any rate, it worked like a placebo, no relief whatsoever. Want to pay for nothing? Rush out and stock up."