Should i use decongestants

In this article What are decongestants? How do decongestants work? When are decongestants used or prescribed? Some important considerations What about side-effects? Can I buy decongestants? Who cannot take decongestants? Decongestants In this article What are decongestants? What are decongestants? Conditions which cause congestion include: The common cold. Hay fever or other allergies. A number of decongestants are available in the UK.

They include: Ephedrine Oxymetazoline Xylometazoline Phenylephrine Pseudoephedrine Ipratropium bromide Some are available as sprays or drops that can be put into the nose sometimes referred to as topical decongestants. For example, the following may be helpful: Salt water saline nose drops. These are a popular treatment for a bunged-up nose in a baby. Steam inhalations. Steam may help to clear the nasal congestion but only has an effect for a short time.

This may be useful before bedtime to help you get off to sleep. Are you eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination? Find out more. How to use the Yellow Card Scheme If you think you have had a side-effect to one of your medicines you can report this on the Yellow Card Scheme. If you wish to report a side-effect, you will need to provide basic information about: The side-effect. The name of the medicine which you think caused it. The person who had the side-effect.

Your contact details as the reporter of the side-effect. Previous article Cough Medicines. Are you protected against flu? Further reading and references. How to ask kids about their health. Coughs, colds and sore throats: is honey better than over-the-counter treatments? Why do some people get worse colds than others? Is it whooping cough or just a cold? More serious side effects can also happen, such as hallucinations and severe allergic reactions anaphylaxis , but these are very rare.

Ask a pharmacist or GP before taking decongestants if you're taking other medicines. Decongestants can increase or decrease the effect of some other medicines. For example, taking decongestants alongside some antidepressants can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure.

It's also important to be careful when taking other medicines if you're using an "all-in-1" decongestant remedy. Page last reviewed: 28 February Next review due: 28 February Types of decongestants Decongestants are available as: nasal sprays drops tablets or capsules liquids or syrups flavoured powders to dissolve in hot water Some products may just contain decongestant medicine, but many are sold as "all-in-1" remedies that contain decongestants, painkillers or antihistamines.

Who can take decongestants Most people can use decongestants safely, but they're not suitable for everyone. They should not be used by the following groups of people without getting advice from a pharmacist or GP first: people taking other medicines people with diabetes people with high blood pressure people with an overactive thyroid gland hyperthyroidism men with an enlarged prostate people with liver, kidney, heart or circulation problems people with increased pressure in the eye glaucoma Babies and children Decongestants should not be given to children under 6.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women 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. How to use decongestants Most decongestants should only be used between 1 and 4 times a day. Unfortunately, the drug doesn't affect only the head — it tightens blood vessels throughout the body. One pseudoephedrine side effect is a possible increase in blood pressure.

In general, this increase is minimal in people with controlled high blood pressure. But prior studies found a small percent of people had marked increases in blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure and need to take pseudoephedrine you should have your blood pressure checked more often. The FDA says that pseudoephedrine is safe when taken as directed. Indeed, millions of people use it each year without any dire consequences.

That doesn't mean it's risk free. Over the years, there have been reports of heart attacks, strokes, disturbed heart rhythms, and other cardiovascular problems linked with use of pseudoephedrine. Alternatives to oral decongestants are available. In the drug realm, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine Benadryl , chlorpheniramine Chlor-Trimeton , cetirizine Zyrtec , and loratadine Claritin can help with a stuffy nose are safe for the heart. Nasal sprays deliver a decongestant right where you need it.

In theory, this should minimize cardiovascular effects. However, nasal decongestant sprays should be used only for several days because it can lead to rebound nasal congestion. If you want to avoid medications altogether, you can try a variety of natural decongestants to clear your head.

Breathe Right nasal strips may help you breathe better at night. A steamy shower or a hot towel wrapped around the face can relieve congestion. Drinking plenty of fluids, especially hot beverages, keeps mucus moist and flowing. Some people swear by spicy foods, and we would be remiss if we did not mention chicken soup. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

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