Nasal Decongestants - Uses and Guidelines

Nasal decongestants are medications that help relieve nasal congestion by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages. They are commonly used for cold and allergy relief.
Category
Drug
Where to get
Available over-the-counter in pharmacies and drugstores.
Applicable for
Nasal Congestion | Cold Relief | Allergy Relief
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Nasal Decongestants FAQ


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What is a nasal decongestant?

Pharmacies and retail stores sell nasal decongestants as standalone medicines or in a combination form that contains a pain reliever and/or an antihistamine. Examples of nasal decongestants include: Pseudoephedrine: Sudafed 12/24 Hour®, Children’s Sudafed Nasal Decongestant®. Oxymetazoline: Afrin® Nasal Spray, Zicam® Nasal Spray.

How do nasal decongestants work?

Nasal decongestants are a type of medicine that helps provide relief for stuffy, congested noses (nasal congestion). They work by narrowing and reducing the swelling in the blood vessels and tissues in your nose. Nasal decongestants come as pills, liquids, drops and nasal sprays. Nasal spray is one type of nasal decongestant.

What are the different types of nasal decongestants?

Over-the-counter (OTC) nasal decongestants include: Pills (tablets or capsules). Liquids or syrups. Nasal decongestant sprays. Nasal drops. Pharmacies and retail stores sell nasal decongestants as standalone medicines or in a combination form that contains a pain reliever and/or an antihistamine.

What are the side effects of nasal decongestants?

Side effects may include: Headaches. Nausea. Nervousness. Restlessness. Dizziness. Sleep issues. Heart palpitations. High blood pressure (hypertension). Who shouldn’t take nasal decongestants?

Nasal Decongestants References

If you want to know more about Nasal Decongestants, consider exploring links below:

What Is Nasal Decongestants

  1. https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-decongestants-770588
  2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/24923-nasal-decongestant
  3. https://www.healthline.com/health/best-otc-sinus-decongestants
  4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/decongestants
  5. https://www.webmd.com/allergies/decongestants
  6. https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/decongestants.html
  7. https://patient.info/treatment-medication/decongestants
  8. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/decongestants/
  9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decongestant

Nasal Decongestants Information

  1. https://www.nps.org.au/medicine-finder/sudafed-sinus-and-nasal-decongestant-tablets
  2. https://www.nh.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Decongestants-and-your-Nose.pdf
  3. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines/brand/amt,1192031000168106/sinus-nasal-decongestant-apohealth

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