Most decongestants can be bought over the counter from pharmacies without a prescription. Who can take decongestants The patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine will say who should not use it and who should get advice before using it. How to use decongestants It's also important to be careful when taking other medicines if you're using an "all-in-1" decongestant remedy. Most individuals tolerate Galpharm Nasal Spray well and experience no side effects. However, as with all medications, side effects can occur. Children aged 6 to 11 should take them for no longer than 5 days. Ask a pharmacist for advice about this.

They work by reducing the swelling of the blood vessels in your nose, which helps to open the airways. Some products may just contain decongestant medicine, but many are sold as "all-in-1" remedies that contain decongestants, painkillers or antihistamines. If you notice any of these side effects, stop using the spray for more than seven consecutive days. Decongestant nasal sprays and drops should not be used for more than a week at a time because using them for too long can make your stuffiness worse.Decongestant medicines do not usually have side effects, and any side effects you may experience are usually mild. Examples include pseudoephedrine (sometimes called by the brand name Sudafed). Types of decongestants Decongestants that come as tablets, liquids or powders that you swallow are not recommended if you're breastfeeding. For example, taking decongestants alongside some antidepressants can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure.

More serious side effects can also happen, such as hallucinations and severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), but these are very rare. Taking decongestants with other medicines It's not clear whether it's safe to take any type of decongestant if you're pregnant, so you should only use them if told to by a healthcare professional.They can help ease the symptoms of conditions such as colds and flu, hay fever and other allergic reactions, catarrh and sinusitis.

Discontinue using this nasal spray and consult your GP or visit your local A&E department promptly if you experience any of the following: They should not be used by the following groups of people without getting advice from a pharmacist or GP first: