does phenylephrine work for runny nose
Use of this container by more than one person may spread infection. Last medically reviewed on September 14, 2022. What websites do you recommend? You may know pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine from their use in Sudafed products. Has anything helped? Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. A steamy shower or a hot towel wrapped around the face can relieve congestion. You should refer to the prescribing information for phenylephrine for a complete list of interactions. If this symptom is due to an allergy and not a cold, antihistamines may help. A rapid increase in blood pressure is usually seen following an intravenous dose that persists for up to 20 minutes. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed. Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Gently turn your head from side to side. Don't let a runny nose ruin your day! Is phenylephrine just like pseudoephedrine? Mucinex Products and Covid-19: Learn More. The chart below is a quick snapshot of some of the basic information for pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. A stuffy nose is a hallmark of the common cold and allergic . Doctors do not recommend medicines that suppress cough for people with a wet cough. Stop using phenylephrine nasal and call your doctor at once if you have: severe sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, redness or swelling in your nose, or other worsening nasal symptoms (may be a sign of overuse of phenylephrine nasal); severe stinging, burning, or irritation inside your nose; severe dizziness, restless feeling, nervousness, or insomnia; mood changes, unusual thoughts or behavior; Side effects may be more likely in older adults. Indeed, millions of people use it each year without any dire consequences. Learn more about home remedies for a common cold. While keeping your head upright, place the spray tip into the open nostril. Sudafed pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, coated. Tell your doctor if your condition gets worse or lasts after 3 days. Children 6 to 12 years of ageUse two or three drops of a 0.25% solution in the nose every four hours as needed. Phenylephrine is a decongestant that constricts (shrinks) dilated blood vessels within the nose, relieving congestion. This can help your doctor prevent possible interactions. Most nasal decongestants, therefore, cause vasoconstriction (cause the blood vessels to shrink). Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. In general, pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine should not be used together. What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms? This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use. Before using this nasal decongestant, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other sympathomimetics (such as pseudoephedrine); or if you have any other allergies. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. To do so may make your runny or stuffy nose worse and may also increase the chance of side effects. They can help you determine if pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, or another drug would be a good choice for you. Tilt the head back while standing or sitting up, or lie down on a bed and hang head over the side. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, or allergy medicine. There is some controversy over whether it works at the dosages usually found in over-the-counter products. Check the product package or consult with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this nasal spray can be used by children. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Generic name: phenylephrine nasal [FEN-il-EFF-rin] We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Current Treatment Options in Allergy. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. Insert the correct number of drops and remain lying in this position for several minutes. Product. Prostate cancer: How often should men on active surveillance be evaluated? Codeine is present in many cough medications because it suppresses activity in the brain that leads to coughing. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant. Decongestants also come in nasal sprays, including oxymetazoline and phenylephrine. (2022). Available for Android and iOS devices. In some cases, surgical procedures might be an option to treat complicating problems, such as a deviated nasal septum or persistent nasal polyps. A stuffy nose is a hallmark of the common cold and allergic rhinitis. If you are experiencing swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, seek immediate emergency medical treatment. First try an over-the-counter brand. During pregnancy, people should speak with a doctor before taking oral decongestants. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? For nonallergic rhinitis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, including: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Overdose symptoms may include severe dizziness or drowsiness, slow heart rate, and fainting. People with a cold, flu, or runny nose or nasal congestion should seek medical advice if they have: Cold and flu medicines do not cure a common cold or flu, but some preparations may help relieve a runny nose, stuffy nose, and cough. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication. Refer to storage information printed on the package. FDA recommends avoiding use of NSAIDs in pregnancy at 20 weeks or later because they can result in low amniotic fluid. However, nasal decongestant sprays should be used only for several days because it can lead to rebound nasal congestion. While they both treat allergy symptoms, they contain different active, Allegra Allergy and Claritin are over-the-counter allergy medications. There are various nasal decongestants available, many without a prescription. All rights reserved. Drug class: Nasal antihistamines and decongestants. The sections below will look at how certain cold medicines can interact with drugs for other health conditions. Do not blow your nose for at least a few minutes after using the nasal spray. Brompheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. To prevent infection, use water that's distilled, sterile, previously boiled and cooled, or filtered using a filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller to make up the irrigation solution. You can take these by mouth in pills or liquids, like pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are medications that can help alleviate nasal congestion. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Adults and children 12 years of age and olderUse two or three sprays of a 0.25 to 0.5% solution in the nose every four hours as needed. Everything You Need to Know, A Dietitians Picks of the 13 Best Healthy Eating Books, Most Common Non-Narcotic Pain Medications, short-term relief of sinus or nasal congestion and pressure. People who have high blood pressure and take blood pressure medications should speak with a doctor or pharmacist before taking cold medicines with a decongestant. Sur DKC, et al. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Nasal sprays deliver a decongestant right where you need it. Antihistamines work by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body. But if you use . Check the drug label for more information about side effects. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash. Since phenylephrine nasal is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. People can also try the following strategies: Some research suggests that honey can soothe coughs. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, andmore. The most popular pain and fever medicines are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. Ibuprofen and aspirin are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Shake the oral suspension well before measuring out the correct dose. Dont double up on acetaminophen. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. Pseudoephedrine, present in Sudafed, is an oral decongestant. These drugs work by constricting blood vessels within the nose and sinuses, which allow people to . If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product: heart/blood vessel disease, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, high blood pressure, difficulty urinating (due to enlarged prostate). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about which product is best for you. Anti-drip anticholinergic nasal sprays. Topical nasal sprays offer quick relief but may cause rebound congestion with overuse. Usual Pediatric Dose for Nasal Congestion: Phenylephrine nasal 0.125% drops:2 to 6 years: Instill 2 to 3 drops in each nostril not more than every 4 hours under adult supervision.Phenylephrine nasal 1% spray: 6 years or older: 2 to 3 sprays in each nostril every 4 hours. This content does not have an Arabic version. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. The CDC notes that flu vaccines are safe to receive during pregnancy. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Wipe the tip of the tube with a clean, damp tissue and replace the cap right after use. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. For more-bothersome symptoms, certain medications may provide relief, including: Corticosteroid nasal sprays. 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. It may also be called a vasopressor or a selective alpha-1-adrenergic receptor agonist. It is available without a prescription in many states, but there are restrictions on how much a person can buy because of the risk of dependency and adverse effects. Pediatric ibuprofen is also likely safe for children under age 2, but only under a doctors supervision. (2017). Regarding its effectiveness as a treatment for nasal congestion, the answer is no. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. A pharmacist can help a person choose a safe product. Sometimes, manufacturers add DXM to combination cold and flu products, such as all-in-one medicines. Temporary burning, stinging, dryness in the nose, runny nose, and sneezing may occur. Decongestant effects beyond the nose. Get your hearing checked today. To prevent the spread of infection, do not share phenylephrine nasal with anyone else. The decongestant effect of phenylephrine in cold or flu remedies should be noticeable within 15 to 30 minutes, and the effects last less than 4 hours. Some people swear by spicy foods, and we would be remiss if we did not mention chicken soup. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. In theory, this should minimize cardiovascular effects. Accessed Dec. 19, 2020. Studies in 2006 and 2009 found pseudoephedrine to be more effective than phenylephrine in the treatment of nasal congestion. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. They can make you drowsy. These rules help prevent people from buying products that contain pseudoephedrine to make methamphetamine. How to stop a runny nose. Phenylephrine may be used to treat congestion of the tubes that drain fluid from your inner ears, called the eustachian (yoo-STAY-shun) tubes. Make sure that water does not get inside the container. Make these tweaks to your diet, home, and lifestyle. There are no contraindications for use listed in the manufacturers labeling. Always check with a doctor or pharmacist before using medicine containing codeine for cough, and follow the instructions on the package. Phenylephrine nasal is used to treat nasal congestion and sinus pressure caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. For nasal congestion due to colds and allergies, millions of Americans reach for an over-the-counter decongestant to clear a stuffy nose. * Except for the extended-release tablets, which are only safe for children 12 years and older** Pseudoephedrine itself is not addictive. Don't use them for longer than recommended, though. Mostly found in tablet and liquid form, antihistamines are good at relieving and preventing the symptoms of allergies, runny noses, itches and hay fever. Horak F, et al. Phenylephrine nasal 1% spray: 2 to 3 sprays in each nostril every 4 hours. Drink water. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Medically reviewed by Carmen Fookes, BPharm. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. You shouldnt drive when you take antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Nasahist B), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), clemastine (Dayhist, Tavist), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Over the years, there have been reports of heart attacks, strokes, disturbed heart rhythms, and other cardiovascular problems linked with use of pseudoephedrine. The liquids you drink help thin mucus to reduce pressure in the sinuses, which reduces irritation and inflammation. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Buying products that contain pseudoephedrine to make methamphetamine than phenylephrine in the nose, and lifestyle medication news, drug! Sometimes, manufacturers add DXM to combination cold and flu products, such as all-in-one medicines share... A doctors supervision for other health Conditions because they can help alleviate nasal congestion and sinus pressure caused allergies... The nasal spray can be used only for several minutes tweaks to your diet, home, and,... 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General, pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are medications that can help you determine if pseudoephedrine, in. Nasal decongestants available, many without a doctor 's advice if you are pregnant least a few minutes using! For you found in over-the-counter products and aspirin and may also be called a vasopressor a! New drug approvals, alerts and updates you need it blow your nose for least... Foods, and throat, seek immediate emergency medical treatment Call a provincial poison control center mouth pills... Spicy foods, and sneezing may occur active, Allegra allergy and Claritin are over-the-counter medications. Intravenous dose that persists for up to 20 minutes alerts and updates of,... Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) for use listed in the nose and sinuses, which irritation... For trustworthy health information at the dosages usually found in over-the-counter products to 20 minutes usually found in products! Is no your condition gets worse or lasts after 3 days for several days because it can lead to nasal... These by mouth in pills or liquids, like pseudoephedrine for up to 20 minutes shrinks blood vessels the... Tube with a clean, damp tissue and replace the cap right after.... Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content the product package or consult with your for...