Decongestants - The Changing World Of Allergy Treatments: Allergies

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Decongestants

Decongestants

Decongestants help with the stuffy, blocked-nose symptoms of nasal congestion by constricting blood vessels, which reduces the fluid that leaks out. Short-term use of decongestants, such as the over-the-counter pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (Sudafed), can treat symptoms and quickly make you feel better, but can also raise your heart rate and blood pressure and keep you awake at night. If you have a heart condition, ask your doctor before using these medicines. Oral decongestants can make prostate problems and glaucoma worse. Especially when used as nasal sprays, decongestants can cause “rebound rhinitis,” whereby nasal congestion worsens. And since decongestant nasal sprays used regularly can cause irreparable damage to the lining of your nose, they should be used only for a few days at a time.

Note that several combinations of second-generation antihistamines and decongestants are available by prescription, such as fexofenadine/pseudoephedrine (Allegra-D), while loratadine/pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D) is available over the counter.

Last updated:	August 21, 2006
Reviewed By:	Faculty of Harvard Medical School