If you have cold or flu symptoms, you may be looking for a product that includes phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine. These ingredients work by shrinking your blood vessels, which can help you breathe more easily and reduce the symptoms of a sinus headache or a stuffy nose. If you’re having trouble breathing due to cold, flu, or allergies, sinus decongestants are designed to relieve your symptoms and help you carry on with your day. If you’ve been diagnosed with subacute sinusitis, your symptoms have lasted longer than acute sinusitis but not so long they’re considered chronic… READ MORE

Hay fever - NHS Hay fever - NHS

There are also home remedies that you can use to relieve discomfort and clear your congestion. Natural decongestion remedies include: Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. The best way to choose an OTC decongestant is to look at the active ingredients. A good decongestant should treat only the symptoms you have, and not any additional symptoms you don’t have. These medications are available OTC at affordable prices, but that doesn’t always make it easy to choose one that’s best for you. Treating your congestion with OTC products doesn’t always provide relief. Get professional medical care if you experience any of the following:

Talk with your doctor before taking drugs containing these ingredients if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Research in animals has shown adverse effects on the fetus when the birthing parent takes these drugs. There haven’t been enough studies with humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus. These drugs should only be taken if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk. Can you take sinus decongestants if you have high blood pressure? Simply position the nozzle at the entrance to each nostril and give the bottle head a gentle press. Breathe in through the nose at the same time. You might need to take steroid nasal sprays or drops for a few months. They sometimes cause irritation, sore throats or nosebleeds.

Galpharm Blocked Nose Relief Capsule 12s - Savers

Clinical trials and peer-reviewed literature: We read through what doctors and researchers have observed about different active ingredients available on the market. Transparency: We looked for products and brands that make realistic, medically-sound claims about their products. antibiotics – if a bacterial infection is causing your symptoms and you're very unwell or at risk of complications (but antibiotics are often not needed, as sinusitis is usually caused by a virus) A sinus flush, or nasal irrigation, is one way to clear out your sinuses at home. All you need is a saline solution and a neti pot or bulb syringe… READ MORE Having a basic understanding of common decongestant types might help you narrow down what kind of product you’re looking for:Decongestants that contain only pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine are more typically recommended for a sinus infection. Decongestants with additional ingredients like antihistamines may suppress your body’s immune response and interfere with your body’s ability to clear the infection.

Sinusitis (sinus infection) - NHS

Signs of sinusitis in young children may also include irritability, difficulty feeding, and breathing through their mouth. If you have sinusitis, a GP may be able to recommend other medicines to help with your symptoms, such as: You do not need to use all of the solution, but make a fresh solution each time you clean your nose. A pharmacist can help with sinusitis Some OTC sinus decongestant formulas include both antihistamines and decongestant ingredients, and some add pain relief ingredients such as ibuprofen to their formula. It’s best to treat for symptoms that you have, not for additional symptoms that you don’t have. Meltzer EO, et al. (2015). Oral phenylephrine HCl for nasal congestion in seasonal allergic rhinitis: A randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled study.What we liked: This mega-size container of 225 tablets is a great solution if multiple people in your family tend to get allergies or sinus headaches. The no-frills phenylephrine formula is comparable to the dosage you’d find in a name brand but at a fraction of the cost. The formula doesn’t contain anything that will make you sleepy, and you can take a tablet every 4 hours on days when symptoms affect you.

Blocked Nose Nasal Spray | SUDAFED® SUDAFED® Plus Blocked Nose Nasal Spray | SUDAFED®

It depends on the active ingredient. OTC pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine should only be taken during pregnancy under your doctor’s supervision. They should not be taken during the first trimester, only after, and even then, only with your doctor’s recommendation. The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose. However, both of these ingredients can cause you to feel restless and can make it difficult to fall asleep. These types of drugs can also make you nauseous. Generally, phenylephrine may have fewer serious side effects than pseudoephedrine. Always consult a doctor before taking these meds if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you have a severe sinus infection or if you’re taking antibiotics, talk with your doctor about the best OTC medication choice for you. Do sinus decongestants work for ear congestion? ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. Sudafed® Nasal Spray Solution contains xylometazoline hydrochloride. Non-Drowsy Sudafed® Decongestant Tablets contain pseudoephedrine hydrochloride. Non-Drowsy Sudafed® Decongestant Syrup contains pseudoephedrine hydrochloride. Sudapro™ Head Cold Tablets contain pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and ibuprofen. Non-Drowsy Sudaplus® Tablets contain paracetamol and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride. Ask your pharmacist for advice.