Decongestants and nasal sprays

Decongestants or nasal sprays may help relieve a stuffy nose.

Decongestants shrink swollen tissues in the space behind the eardrum (middle ear). This may relieve pressure and pain. They can be taken by mouth (oral) or in nose drops or sprays. Oral decongestants are probably more effective and provide longer relief than drops or sprays, but they cause more side effects.

Sprays and drops provide rapid but temporary relief. Sprays and drops are less likely to interact with other medications, which can be a problem with oral decongestants.

Decongestant precautions

• Look for a single-ingredient decongestant that contains pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine.
• Do not give cold medications or oral decongestants to babies or children unless instructed by your health professional. Nonprescription cold medications have not been proven effective for preschool children.
• Do not use medicated nasal sprays or drops more often than directed and not longer than 3 days. Continued use will cause your mucous membranes to swell more than before using the spray (rebound effect).
• Drink extra fluids when taking cold medications.
• If you are not certain about which decongestant to use, ask your pharmacist or health professional for help.
  • Decongestants can cause problems for people with other health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, prostate problems, glaucoma, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism.
  • Decongestants also may interact with other medications such as some antidepressants and high blood pressure medications.

You also can try a homemade saline solution nasal spray that contains 0.25 tsp (1.25 g) of salt in 1 cup (0.2 L) of warm water. This will not cause rebound symptoms.