Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesTypesSide Effects
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Types
Side Effects
Most over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants contain either pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. When you feel stuffy, it’s natural to expect a decongestant to help. But it might not always be the right choice.
This article will walk you through the types of decongestants and how they work. It will also help you understand the risks and side effects of using decongestants.
spukkato / Getty Images
What Are Decongestants Used For?
Decongestants are a type of medicine that can provide short-term relief for a blocked or stuffy nose (nasal congestion). They work best for minor congestion from:
Decongestants may not work as well for bacterial infections, which usually require antibiotics.If you still have stuffiness after taking antibiotics, decongestants may help.
What Are Common Decongestants?
Over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants come in nasal sprays and in oral forms. Common decongestants include the following:
Nasal sprays work faster than oral decongestants. Don’t use them for longer than recommended, though. They can irritate your nasal passages and make congestion worse.
Combination products like Tylenol Sinus, Advil Cold & Sinus, andAleve Cold & Sinusalso contain pain relievers. These medicines may help with sinus headaches from congestion.
You can use most decongestants three to four times a day. Extended-release versions are used once or twice a day.
Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine)
Sudafed and its active ingredient, pseudoephedrine, come in several forms:
Generic pseudoephedrine is also included in many multi-drug cold and flu products.
Buying PseudoephedrinePseudoephedrine is technically available over the counter. You don’t need a prescription, but its sale is restricted because some people use it to make methamphetamine (the illegal drug better known as “meth”).To buy pseudoephedrine, you must:Ask for it at the pharmacy counter.Show your photo ID.Know that there is a limit to how much you can purchase per day and month.
Buying Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine is technically available over the counter. You don’t need a prescription, but its sale is restricted because some people use it to make methamphetamine (the illegal drug better known as “meth”).To buy pseudoephedrine, you must:Ask for it at the pharmacy counter.Show your photo ID.Know that there is a limit to how much you can purchase per day and month.
Pseudoephedrine is technically available over the counter. You don’t need a prescription, but its sale is restricted because some people use it to make methamphetamine (the illegal drug better known as “meth”).
To buy pseudoephedrine, you must:
Know that there is a limit to how much you can purchase per day and month.
Other brand-name drugs that contain pseudoephedrine include:
This drug also prevents ear problems from pressure changes. This can be helpful for those why fly or scuba dive.
Sudafed PE (Phenylephrine)
In September 2023, an FDA panel concluded that oral decongestants with the ingredient phenylephrine are not effective at clearing up congestion. These products are still considered safe to use and can still be found in stores. Nasal sprays with phenylephrine are still considered effective, but should generally not be taken for more than three days in a row.
Sudafed PE and generic phenylephrine are available in different forms:
Phenylephrine is also in many combination cold and flu products. Because it constricts blood vessels, it’s also used in some hemorrhoid treatments.
Other brand name products with phenylephrine include:
Sales of phenylephrine are not restricted, so you should be able to find it on the shelf with other cold and flu remedies.
Afrin Nasal Spray (Oxymetazoline)
Afrin and many other nasal sprays contain oxymetazoline. This drug is used for congestion and to relieve nasal discomfort from colds and seasonal allergies.
The dosing schedule is typically every 10 hours or every 12 hours.
Other sprays that contain oxymetazoline include:
It’s also used in many generic nasal sprays.
Sudafed vs. Mucinex: What’s the Difference?
Decongestant Side Effects
Decongestants may cause mild side effects.These include:
Side effects specific to nasal sprays include:
These more serious side effects are uncommon, but important to be aware of. If you experience any of these side effects, report them to your healthcare provider immediately:
Although rare, decongestants may also contribute to strokes and bleeding inside the skull.
Decongestants are chemically related to adrenaline, your body’s natural decongestant and stimulant. Caffeine may enhance the stimulant effect and worsen side effects of these drugs. Watch for nervousness and trouble sleeping.
Warnings and Contraindications
Most people can safely use decongestants, but they aren’t for everyone. Don’t take decongestants if you have:
Some products contain a decongestant and a painkiller. Check the label before taking these with any other drugs. This will help keep you from taking too much of any one medication.
Always tell your healthcare provider about all medications you take, including OTC drugs. This can help you avoid possibly dangerous side effects and drug interactions.
If you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to your healthcare provider before taking decongestants.
Warning About Decongestant Use in ChildrenDon’t give decongestants to children under 6. Before giving them to kids between 6 and 12, talk to their healthcare provider.
Warning About Decongestant Use in Children
Don’t give decongestants to children under 6. Before giving them to kids between 6 and 12, talk to their healthcare provider.
Over-the-Counter Cold & Flu Meds
Summary
Decongestants come in many forms, including tablets, liquids, and nasal sprays. Always follow the dosage directions. When using multi-drug products, make sure you aren’t taking other drugs with the same ingredients.
Check with your healthcare provider about use in children, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and with chronic conditions. Contact your healthcare provider if you have any severe side effects.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
InformedHealth.org.Treating acute sinusitis.
National Health Service UK.Decongestants.
Barshak MB, Durand ML.The role of infection and antibiotics in chronic rhinosinusitis.Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2017;2(1):36-42. doi:10.1002/lio2.61
MedlinePlus.Oxymetazoline nasal spray.
MedlinePlus.Pseudoephedrine.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA clarifies results of recent advisory committee meeting on oral phenylephrine.
MedlinePlus.Phenylephrine.
Deckx L, De Sutter AI, Guo L, Mir NA, van Driel ML.Nasal decongestants in monotherapy for the common cold.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;10(10):CD009612. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009612.pub2
Malone M, Kennedy TM.Review: side effects of some commonly used allergy medications (decongestants, anti-leukotriene agents, antihistamines, steroids, and zinc) and their safety in pregnancy.Int J Aller Medications. 2017;3(1). doi:10.23937/2572-3308.1510024
Shao IH, Wu CC, Tseng HJ, Lee TJ, Lin YH, Tam YY.Voiding dysfunction in patients with nasal congestion treated with pseudoephedrine: a prospective study.Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016;10:2333-9. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S108819
Tark BE, Messe SR, Balucani C, Levine SR.Intracerebral hemorrhage associated with oral phenylephrine use: a case report and review of the literature.J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2014;23(9):2296-2300. doi:10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2014.04.018
Patel J, Patel I, Desai D, Desai S.Ischemic stroke associated with chronic xylometazoline nasal spray misuse: a rare avoidable adverse event.Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2021 Mar-Apr;24(2):304-307. doi:10.4103/aian.AIAN_291_20
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
