Otrivin for Nasal Congestion User Reviews

Rating: 4.9

Otrivin has an average rating of 4.9 out of 10 from a total of 56 reviews for the treatment of nasal congestion. 39% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 57% reported a negative experience.

10		27%
9		9%
8		4%
7		4%
6		0%
5		0%
4		0%
3		7%
2		13%
1		38%

Reviews for Otrivin

Pat...
Taken for 5 to 10 years
August 17, 2018

"Be wary of this drug, highly addictive. Maximum use is 3 days. Could not go without it, always a bottle carried around with me. Spent a fortune over the years! Couldn’t go without it for a clear nose. It is called rebound congestion. So, went to the doctor and was told to go off it cold turkey or would end up with a cocaine nose. Went cold turkey and had headaches, sinus, dizziness, and nausea. I had to sleep in an upright position to breathe. Been off it for 3 years. Took 2 weeks of withdrawal symptoms. Don’t touch it."

1 / 10

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51 Report

Til...
Taken for less than 1 month
December 26, 2012

"A lifesaver at night when unable to mouth breathe. Only problem was I became addicted to using it! My nose became congested every night and would only become unblocked when I used Otrivin. I had to wean myself off it."

10 / 10

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60 Report

dow...
Taken for less than 1 month
January 22, 2025

"I'm not religious, but this nasal spray might be created by God. I couldn't sleep the whole night due to a clogged nose from a cold/allergy, so I went to the pharmacy and bought one. One spray in each nostril-my goodness, I can finally breathe. Just don't use it for the long term, it might be dangerous, but it's essential to have one box of this at home just in case you can't breathe. I've tried all other natural remedies, natural nasal sprays, etc.-none of them work. Sometimes you need an actual medication."

10 / 10

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3 Report

DJ ...
May 16, 2023

"Do not use!! Be very careful. I used this every time I got a cold, and it did work, however, I lost my sense of smell permanently. I cannot smell bacon, coffee, the ocean, or anything. I really miss my sense of smell and hope that there is no gas leak in the house, as I wouldn't be able to smell it. Shouldn't be allowed to be sold without a prescription and doctor's supervision at all."

1 / 10

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11 Report

Vip...
January 23, 2018

"Never use this medicine. It left my nose hurting and burning. Definitely clears the congestion. But gives you side effects like headache, toothache, nose hurting badly. Worst nasal spray I've ever seen."

1 / 10

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31 Report

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Anonymous
Taken for 2 to 5 years
October 3, 2017

"Warning, please don't use Otrivin. As your well-wisher, I would like to draw your attention to the side effects of Otrivin. It's been 10 years now that I've been using nose drops as I had a deviated septum and oversized turbinates. In 2015, I had an operation for septoplasty and turbinoplasty. Along with this, I have allergic rhinitis, so I started using Otrivin as a nasal decongestant, but somehow I got addicted to this Otrivin, it gives you a nice, clear, open nose. But, you know, you get rebound congestion after a while. Once you use Otrivin, it will keep your nose open for 9 hours, but once the effect is gone, you face the same problem, but this time your nose blows up inside to twice the size it was. Stop it before it gets too late, don't suffer like me..."

2 / 10

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28 Report

Shi...
Taken for less than 1 month
April 5, 2020

"Used Otrivin for a few days, congestion went, but ended up with a sore, burning throat/back of tongue. Had to buy a throat spray to ease the soreness. After 2 days of not using Otrivin, I’m so much better. Just be careful."

3 / 10

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14 Report

Anonymous
November 3, 2011

"It was prescribed by my doctor several years ago. Now it's OTC. It works perfectly and in a timely manner. It's soothing and not harsh like most nasal sprays. No horrible aftertaste either. Used it for years with none of the side effects mentioned."

10 / 10

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35 Report

Cam...
May 1, 2015

"I call it miraculous. I couldn't breathe at night when I had a cold. My mother-in-law gave me Otrivin, and it unblocked my nose in a few seconds. I now use it whenever I have nose congestion, and it performs each and every time. I honestly am so glad there is finally an effective drug for nose congestion."

10 / 10

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20 Report

Anonymous
Taken for less than 1 month
December 28, 2021

"I would rather get an epidural than use this. The burning in the back of my throat was so painful, I would barely swallow. It even was painful in my ears. Perhaps I sprayed too much or tilted my head back more than I should have, but it BURNS. Congestion gone though. Now my nose is just super runny, and I think the back of my throat melted off."

2 / 10

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6 Report

Bea...
Taken for less than 1 month
October 26, 2020

"Had pretty bad congestion at night, so I had sprayed the product in just the way they said: spray and breathe it in. Did it twice, and my congestion became even worse. After like 5 - 10 mins, it cleared with a runny nose and a continuous pain. It's been 15 mins since, and it still hurts."

3 / 10

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8 Report

Dia...
Taken for less than 1 month
October 17, 2021

"I have used it over two days with a total of 4 doses. It worked, and it did its job perfectly, but then when I wanted to sleep, I had insane palpitations causing insomnia, and I didn't end up getting any sleep. Apparently, it is one of the side effects. When using it, I also noticed dried blood, but when I stopped, the blood is like mucus and won't stop."

2 / 10

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5 Report

lau...
Taken for less than 1 month
April 25, 2023

"I woke up with a terrible cold and sinus congestion. I've used Otrivin in the past with no issues, but after using it once today, my nostrils are now so irritated and uncomfortable, it feels like they're on fire. My gums are also feeling sore, and I'm starting to get a headache. This is terrible."

1 / 10

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3 Report

Ksm...
Taken for less than 1 month
March 27, 2020

"My nose feels like it’s collapsed and breathing is difficult, so thought I would try Otrivin. Very fast relief of congestion, but some discomfort. When blowing my nose the next day (1 day of use), there was blood on the tissue. On the second day of using it, my nose bled fully, without blowing my nose. Have stopped using since, and my nose is no longer bleeding and feels blocked again. For reference: My bottle contained xylometazoline and hydrochloride."

3 / 10

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11 Report

Kir...
Taken for less than 1 month
December 30, 2020

"Used Otrivin for a few days as I suffer from congestion constantly. While it does unblock your nose, it doesn't last very long, and the rebound congestion is awful. My nose is now bloody and sore, large chunks of bloodied mucus pile up, and I have headaches. My nose is worse than it was before! Going to go back to Sudafed, it seems gentler and hasn't caused a bloody nose ever!"

3 / 10

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6 Report

Mr ...
Taken for less than 1 month
January 24, 2022

"Used Otrivin at 3 pm as my nose has been blocked up for 2 days. Within 5 to 10 minutes, my nose was clear, but my sinuses were destroyed. It's like when you get right to the edge of a sneeze and then you don't. You know that burning feeling, yeah, that. In my nose, throat, sinuses, and ears. It is now 10:30 pm, and I'm still in pain and running a fever of 38.5. There are other options out there... STAY AWAY."

1 / 10

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4 Report

Den...
Taken for less than 1 month
July 18, 2019

"Bought 2 bottles of this for both myself and my 14-year-old as our hay fever was very bad. Within a few days, both myself and my daughter suffered with very sore nasal passages that bled, and for my daughter, it became infected. Couldn't use anymore."

1 / 10

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8 Report

Ang...
Taken for 5 to 10 years
October 27, 2015

"Fantastic product. Prefer the squeezy bottle as you use how much you need. Great for colds and hay fever. The measured dose spray, however, I don't like as it's too big for me. Gives me nervousness, heart beats fast."

10 / 10

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9 Report

Bob...
Taken for less than 1 month
February 17, 2021

"This product was suggested by the pharmacy. Whilst it did clear the blockage, the pain was considerable. I stopped taking it after 2 days (using it as directed), but after 2-3 weeks I am still seeing blood when blowing my nose (especially after coughing). I would suggest being VERY careful about using Otrivin and avoid where possible."

1 / 10

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4 Report

wis...
Taken for 1 to 2 years
October 8, 2020

"Used Otrivin daily for several years back in my early 20s. I'm now 55. At about 22, my doctor told me I had the worst case of nasal membrane decay he had ever seen and said to stop using immediately, which I did. I later had rhinoplasty, which helped my breathing immensely. I'm still kind of waiting for a nasal cancer diagnosis at some stage in my life. Can't be good using that stuff nonstop, can it?"

8 / 10

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5 Report

Nat...
Taken for 10 years or more
February 10, 2019

"Respected Government of India (Ministry of Medical). This product manufacturer is making profit day by day, increasing Otrivin price continuously. In the year of 2013, this product price was around Rs. 30 to 40. Now this product price is Rs. 73. Product quality is also decreasing, it is just like normal water. On behalf of Indian Otrivin users, the medical council must take immediate action to stop the production."

2 / 10

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11 Report

Mar...
February 7, 2020

"The best nasal spray for clearing noses, nothing works as well as Otrivin, and I can't begin to tell you how much it has helped me out in life. Highly recommended, it always works fast and is always effective."

10 / 10

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6 Report

Kin...
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
September 12, 2018

"I hate stuff other ones like this because they never worked for me, but Otrivin? I use it 2 times a day every day because my allergies are just that bad, and it is the best thing that has ever been created... like ever. 10 out of 10, would use again, get this... get this."

10 / 10

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7 Report

CT8...
August 4, 2017

"Good for the congestion, clears you up, however, used for only 1.5 days and the inside of my nose is raw and bleeding. The spray also has hurt/stung the back of my throat. Have used nasal sprays in the past, no other has ever had these effects."

2 / 10

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5 Report

Ash...
Taken for less than 1 month
May 31, 2022

"Had every negative side effect possible. Cleared my nose, but I went through the wringer with this one. Groggy, felt weighed down, dizziness, feeling like I'd pass out, couldn't move any quicker than in slow motion. Messed me up! Only used for 3 days, and two days after stopping, I'm still suffering the effects."

1 / 10

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3 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.