Addiction to Nasal Decongestants Based on α- Adrenoceptor Agonists Case Series and Literature Review

Otorhinolaryngologists describe nasal obstruction as a common symptom, moreover a prolonged use of nasal decongestants based on α-adrenoceptor agonists lead to a vicious circle of addiction. This addiction is favoured by easy access to this variety of over-the-counter medications, which are often considered risk-free. The patient may experience a spectrum of mental disorders when deprived of the agent of his addiction, which can range from moderate discomfort to panic attacks or even hallucinations. In this article, we present ananalysis of a series of cases of patients who chronically abuse nasal decongestants, and a review of the literature.