Nasal Allergy Medications (cont.)
What are decongestants?
Nasal stuffiness or congestion occurs as a result of
swelling of the nasal membranes. Histamine opens the blood
vessels and encourages fluid leakage from them, thereby
causing the tissues to become "congested." This reaction
reduces the space inside the nose through which we breathe
and results in the typical "blocked" or stuffy nose. While
antihistamines can control many symptoms of allergic
rhinitis, they are not very helpful for treating nasal
congestion once it has already occurred. At this point,
decongestants can be a very useful addition.
How do decongestants work?
Decongestants act on a receptor on the blood vessels.
The blood vessels thereby shrink, which in turn reduces the blood
flow to the area and lessens the leakage of fluid into the
tissues. The result is a nasal passage that feels
more "open." It is important to remember that
decongestants do NOT help with an itchy, sneezing, and
runny nose.
Two forms of decongestants, oral and topical, are currently
available. They are probably equally effective,
although the topical nasal sprays or drops work more quickly (a few
minutes compared to thirty minutes). Most preparations are
OTC and are relatively inexpensive. As we will see later,
decongestants are frequently combined with antihistamines
and are sometimes combined with mucous thinners
(mucolytics).
Table III: Common Decongestants
| Generic Name |
Brand Name |
| pseudoephedrine (oral: liquid, tablets) |
Sudafed (Novafed) |
| phenylephrine (topical: drops, spray) |
Neosynephrine |
| oxymetolazone (topical: drops, spray) |
Afrin |
Next: When should I use topical decongestants? »
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