Vicks First Defence

Like many of the other reviews, I experienced a shooting pain at the back of my head and down into my neck as soon as I sprayed it into my nose. And then I got a severe headache behind my eye and the pain in the back of my head spread up to the top. Awful.

I made an account literally just to write this. Wait, discontinued? I was able to buy this at chemist warehouse. Oh god, ow. Ow ow ow do not use this. My nose is burning and running more, my eyes are watering, my head has sharp shooting aches. What the f is this stuff. Bought it because I was too sick to think straight (RSV, urgh). I mean I got… Read more

the wrong thing anyway I meant to get a decongestant but sicky brain. DON'T BUY THIS IF YOU EVER SEE IT FOR SALE. I'd rather just continue not having meds at all like I was than this! I'm in so much more pain. I'm going to echo a lot of the reviews here saying "I should have done a quick search before using this because this seems to be a common issue" I'm so sorry if you're here reading because you got duped by it too and had to search 'vicks first defense pain', this sucks. Drink lots of water. In my case otc painkillers aren't helping with the headache and the nasal burning :((

I used it once without issue, the second time it caused the most intense migraine. As soon as I sprayed it in my left nostril I had instant agony all through my head. Stabbing pains through the top of my skull, behind my eye and the base of my skull. I took migraine medicine which helped a little bit but I would never use this product again. I… Read more

wish I read the reviews before using as it seems many others have had the same issue. Even if it works, I’d rather have a cold than that headache again.

Have used for 11 years and recommend – Vicks First Defence is still available in Australia as of End of Nov 2024. Available supermarkets and pharmacies. I have used this product since 2013 and have often recommended it. Myself and family members have only had positive results ie stops cold developing or considerably shortens its length. Can’t emphasise enough not to sniff after have used the spray(states this in instructions) as this can cause pain, depending on the individual.

Secret weapon for fighting colds – This stuff was reccomended to me by my doctor, because I used to get sick so often, and it has been life changing. For example, In the past five or so weeks, I have been in close proximity to VERY sick people with different viruses (e.g. sharing drink bottles, living together etc). A few times I felt myself starting to get sick, but used First… Read more

Defence about three times a day in conjunction with Betadine antiseptic throat gargle and all my symptoms went away very quickly. I have been using this stuff for a few years now and I can honestly say I no longer get long drawn out colds like I used to, if I even get sick at all... it's been years since I have needed more than one sick day in a row from work.

Great product. Used for many years with great success – The reviews on here that have given it one star because of pain, burning or discomfort etc. did not read the instructions! Show details

Shooting pain in head- agony – Have used this previously with no issues however I just used a new bottle this evening and the spray sent a shooting pain into the back of my head. It's excruciating. I have pain behind my eye and in my nose now so I've tried a nasal rinse which has helped a small amount but it is absolutely agony. Show details

First defense nasal spray is toxic and dangerous – Dangerous and toxic. I’m shocked that first defense nasal spray is still on the shop shelves.. i have used it for years and been fine, but last week a second after using it I had brain pain and freeze like never before all up my nose and head.. turns out lots of us have too… so why is it still selling.. My head is still very sore a week later and swollen on top.. I will need a doc visit tomorrow.

TOXIC DANGEROUS PRODUCT DO NOT USE – THIS PRODUCT IS TOXIC AND DANGEROUS DO NOT USE!!! IT IS LIKE PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH YOUR HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE. I’ve debated for the last 8 months whether to write a review or not, hoping that I would have answers to share, but unfortunately I have no answers yet, so here’s my story in case this product is still on shelves or makes a… Read more

comeback at some point. My nightmare began in April 2024 when I used this product. I was not sick, but had been around friends whose family were potentially sick (turns out they weren’t, so my experience isn’t because of a virus or bacteria). I had used this spray previously without any issues. This time, however, I felt instant shooting pain through my right nostril to the top of my head, like the worst kind of brain freeze you can imagine. It was like being stabbed deeply in the head. Within a couple of hours, the left side of my head went numb and the left side of the rest of my body including face was tingly. I thought I was having a stroke so looked to see whether the spray could cause one, when I came across the reviews on here. Wow. I should have looked at the reviews from the beginning. From then on, I’ve been living the kind of nightmare you can’t imagine. Constant burning nerve pain through the entirety of my scalp (occipital nerves), sides of face (trigeminal nerves- with occasional little zaps of electricity through these nerves), neck, arms and chest (thoracic nerves). Imagine having petrol poured on the entire upper half of your body and then being set alight. Constantly. It doesn’t stop. On top of that there’s a constant twisting feeling in that initial spot on the top of my scalp on the right side. That is my life now. I am a mama, and let me tell you that in those early months, I had to remind myself every single day that taking my life wasn’t an option. As humans we are not designed to be in constant nerve pain. I’ve seen so many drs, specialists, as well as nearly every kind of therapy including natural that you can think of. It has cost the earth and no one, not even the specialists and one who has a phd in neuropathic pain, has ever heard of a condition like this (that wasn’t caused by a tumour, cancer, autoimmune disease or a physical accident/damage) or knows how to help, other than heavy medications which (as a mum who needs to be functional) isn’t really an option, or nerve blocks into my Sphenopalatine nerves (sinus) which carry the risk of causing blindness. They have no idea what is happening to me. One guess that a lot of them have in common is that this spray has the ability to damage the nerves or perhaps cause a reaction in the body, to then which the body doesn’t know how to close the pain gates (similar to complex regional pain syndrome). We’ve contacted Vicks and all they had to say was that they’re not medical professionals. I just hope this product never sees the light of day again and no one has to suffer like I have. It has been 8 months for me now so I’m having to seriously consider medication or nerve blocks, and all from this toxin of a product that should’ve been taken off the market years ago.

Severe head pain I thought I was having a stoke – Severe dibilitating head pain, eye pressure, burning in nasal cavity which lasted for hours. Scared me to the point I thought of going to Emergency department. Sorry throat and burning lasted for two days. Please use with caution. Show details

WORST PRODUCT!! – I can't believe this product actually landed on shelves! I bought it on special and now I know why, burning from my nose, eyes chest hours later after use! Don't waste your money!! Show details

Works kinda well – I used this the morning after I felt some kind of sinus infection beginning to develop. Apart from the almost unbearable burning sensation from initially using it, as long as you can push through the 10 or so minutes, it works pretty well. Show details

Reviews on other sites are questionable and so are ingredients – Made a hasty purchase as I was just starting to feel unwell and saw the positive reviews on coles website. Too bad I didn't research those reviews as the same ones were repeated over and over on many different sites. I used the spray then started to get a nasty headache almost instantly so decided to research the ingredients. It contains an… Read more

artificial sweetener...seems odd for a nasal spray. Why did they not use something like xylitol which is both sweet and actually has microbial properties??? Disodium Succinate is another weird ingredient. It's a flavour enhancer similar in properties to MSG so I have no idea what function it has in a nasal spray. It was difficult to understand what the actual "active" ingredients were. I noticed 2 reviewers 'Raja' and "Carey' posted the same multiple positive reviews all over different sites so thankfully I came across some honest reviews here. I've written multiple reviews on product review over the years so I don't have any vested interest. Do your own research on this product and question anything where the same review is repeatedly posted everywhere. Complete waste of money, in fact I ended up have one of the worst cases of sinus pain after initial use of spray and it lasted a few days. Even nasal saline works much better and doesn't leave me with a headache.

Horrendous for about 20mins but really does work – Take at the first sign of a cold (tingle at the back of your throat) sometimes you get away with nothing more than an unpleasant taste in your throat but sometimes you get the worst cold/flu symptoms for about 15-20 mins or so. Truly horrendous. That said for me it’s worth it. It totally works and if you can push through that potential cold almost… Read more

never progresses further. I’ll take 15mins of pain to avoid 5 days of sickness. I recommend to everyone but with the caveat that it’s not pleasant to use.

Do not use it !! – First time i used it in the hope of it makes my cold abit milder or go away by some miracle !! I used betadine throat gargle and it really worked on sore throats so i thought maybe this can be the same principle . BUT NO !! It works the opposite ... i got so much worse ... i actually got a more severe cold with huge burning pain in my head, around… Read more

my jaw, cheeks and upper theeth... I m surprised to see how many other people still experience the same thing !! This should be not on the market

Don’t use this product – Felt like I may be exposed to a cold virus so bought this product as a precautionary measure. It really made my sinuses and throat sore. My teeth are aching like crazy, inside nose is burning. Immediately I got cold symptoms which progressed quickly with each use of this product. I swear this has made me sicker not helped avoid it. It’s going in the bin and I recommend you don’t use it. Show details

It works! – Hv been using this for over 15 years and it actually works so long as you begin at the first sign of illness. I hv just spent 7 days with my mother who has covid, I used First Defence as soon as I knew she had covid and I hv stayed well! Show details

It actually works! – I was skeptical about this product but bought it for an overseas trip. A few days ago I came down with a ‘tickly’ throat, fatigue and generally feeling unwell. I started to use this spray multiple times a day, for two days. Usually when I have cold symptoms within 24 hours I would have a blocked/runny nose. This did not develop! I do have VERY… Read more

slight congestion now but I wouldn’t even classify it as a cold. This spray has 100% worked and I will be recommending to friends!

Searing head pain – Used first time this morning, one small spray in right nostril , then in left one OMG, had burning sensation in left nostril and left brain pain right to top of head for almost an hour, is this normal??? If so should come with a WARNING......be careful, I'm too scared to use a 2nd time. Waste of $17 AUD. Show details

Instant painful headache – Honestly thought I was crazy before I read other reviews saying they had head pain from this spray! I’ve used the spray twice when I’ve just had a little tickle in my throat but it instantly gave me a sharp, shooting pain headache Show details

So much pain – Horrendous pain after use. Nerve pain right around one side of my head and into my neck. Brunt of pain in my sinus and running up to my eye which feels badly burnt and is very bloodshot. I used it 2 hours ago and am only now able to stop crying, I’ve used a sinus rinse three times to try to wash out the remnants but am still in a considerable… Read more

amount of pain. The never pain runs into my jaw and teeth, up the side of my nose, into my eye, round the back of my head and into the nape of my neck. It’s like my sinuses have been chemically burned. I’m actually terrified it won’t subside fully as it’s been hours and I’ve washed out my sinuses already.

This actually works!! – Was a bit skeptical before purchasing as I thought it was a bit of a gimmick, so far been exposed to 2 colds with the very early symptoms of a sore throat and this has been AMAZING! My symptoms usually worsen every night but whilst using this spray the symptoms get better everytime I wake up! Today I don’t even have a sore throat anymore. This product is just great Show details

It works for me and my body but every body and everybody is different – I have used First Defence consistently for about 7 years and it works very well. I can remember only one or 2 times when it did not stop my cold or influenza in their tracks.

Prevents full blown infections – Hv used this nasal spray for years. At the first sign of an infection or if I hv been with anyone with an infection I begin using the spray. I use it 2 or 3 days. Show details

Worse headache ever! – I took this nasal spray and instantly felt severe headache and sinus pain. Burning sensation and well as sharp headache. The pain is so intense and lasting hours. Couldn’t go to work. Show details

BRAIN PAIN beware – I have used this product on occasion over the last 6 months if I have a slight sniffly nose and it has worked great most of the time. However on the most recent use I felt searing pain which filtered through my sinuses all the way through my brain which felt like an electrifying brain freeze. The brunt of the Pain lasted a good 15-20 minutes,… Read more

however there is still a burning pressure through my head. This cannot be good I’ve never felt something like this before.

Please beware, it may not happen every use however from past reviews on Amazon and this review site this concerning side effect can and does happen.

Vicks First Defence does not work – I do not think that This product really works I have been using for days and now I have developed a cough At first i thought it was working , I have still A tickly sensation up my nose like i wanna sneeze all the time Show details

Can a nose spray stop a cold in its tracks? – In todays society, a simple cough can cause unwanted attention with the pandemic raging on. It can also affect your self awareness and in most instances - work. My job has a very strict policy on illnesses. Any COVID symptoms I get, I immediately will have to get tested and therefore, losing precious work hours and income. At best, I know it’s… Read more

only a cold because it usually passes down from our 14 month, then my wife and then lucky old me. I still get tested for assurance, mind you.

But what I need is a quick fix to relieve these cold symptoms and get me back on my feet as soon as possible. Especially when I’m still on probation.

I’ve seen these Vicks First Defence nose sprays on television and knew I had to try it out. They’re not expensive. It cost me $7.50 at my local Drakes Supermarket.

Calling it a nose spray is a bit generous. When you first hear it’s a nose spray, you think of the fine mist that comes out when you depress the bottle. Well not in this case. Make sure you read the pamphlet inside the box before you prime the bottle - cover it with a tissue!

Now, normally I would follow instructions word by word but this time I omitted the tissue and instead of a mist, you get a quick, singular stream that hit my ceiling. I was not impressed. It’s because to make this spray effective, it has to get to the back of your nose which the bacteria is located.

Two or three squirts in each nostril is what is required. Yes, you still get that famous Vicks eucalyptus aroma but it’s only faint. You may also discover some nasal discharge but this is perfectly normal. You may use the spray up to 4 times daily.

They recommend you to use the spray immediately 36 hours (or less) after you feel a tickle in your throat. My throat was already sore as is but still attempted to give it a try anyway.

Day One: As I tested the spray, I noticed discharge. It must be working. You may blow your nose or let it run down your throat, but that’s a little disgusting if you think about it. There was a little burning sensation but it’s not something that distracts you.

Day Two: The soreness of my throat was almost non existent. Although, a little cough has been developing. I feel that the spray helped with my sore throat because I usually wake up during the night and it feels like I just swallowed a bowl of razor blade. This was not the case this time.

The box states you should continue using the spray for another two days for the best results. I am already seeing some good returns so I say the spray really did help.

As always, different results happen for different people but this review is just to let others know it does work. You just have to be one of the lucky ones.

Phantom Smells – Since having used first defence onver the last month i have started noticing that i can smell smoke or an dirty oven burning smell when there is no some or oven on - I obvoiusly cannot say it is from first defence - however, on research other zinc based sprays in the usa have caused this and total loos of smell sense. Am hoping it is a short term issue.  Show details

Extreme pain in the head/brain – I have used this a couple of times with varying results. Twice now it has given me severe head/ brain pain to the point I need to sit down due to dizziness. I can only describe it as a really bad brain freeze or when you are in the shower and you accidentally inhale a large amount of water up your nose and you get that pain in your nose and… Read more

throat. I tried blowing my nose to see if it helped but to no avail. The discomfort lasted for well over an hour to the point of whether I could even go in to work feeling this bad. I am sure the product is effective at helping to reduce nasal bugs but the issue id do you really want to go through this pain again! I have read quite a few other reviews also stating users have experienced same thing as well. I would also like to add on further use of this product that it is a good product but needs some getting used to as to using it at the right amount as well as how strongly you also inhale it .

cold defence – Mundicare cold defence can be brought in Australia at any Amcal Pharmacy's A great product , have used it for years but had to buy online. Nearest pharmacy is Haynes Amcal in Armadale WA and they stock it.