Sinusitisaffects around 1 in 8 adults in the United States.
Infection is a frequent cause of sinusitis, affecting about 29 million Americans yearly.
Antibioticsmay not be necessary unless the sinus infection is severe and leads to a bacterial infection.
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Instead, guidelines recommend management strategies aiming to ease symptoms.
These and other OTC medications may be used alone or in varying combinations for maximal symptom relief.
you could consult a pharmacist or healthcare provider for help finding the proper medications to ease your symptoms.
When the lining of the sinuses becomes swollen, it’s called sinusitis.
Your immune system launches an attack against the infection, releasing immune cells and triggering inflammation.
This leads to symptoms that can range from pesky to downright miserable.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of sinus infections include facial pain, congestion, headache, and postnasal drip.
Other symptoms are fever, runny nose, itchy throat, sore throat, cough, and excess mucus.
You might only need antibiotics if your sinus infection persists for longer than a week or becomes more severe.
As such, watchful waiting is often the best approach for mild cases in adults.
Most people improve naturally, with antibiotics only slightly increasing symptom relief.
This article will discuss some of the best OTC medicines for sinus infections.
Decongestants
Decongestants help manage symptoms of sinus pressure and related headaches.
They work to relieve congestion by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages to reduce swelling in the sinuses.
You should use decongestants for no longer than three to five days.
Exceeding this limit can lead to rebound congestion and make congestion worse instead of better.
A common side effect is temporary stinging or burning sensations in the nose.
What Is Sudafed?
Sudafed (pseudoephedrine, or PSE) is the most commonly recommended oral decongestant.
PSE helps unblock your nasal passages and sinuses, making breathing easier.
Phenylephrine is the active ingredient in Sudafed PE and many other OTC cold medicines, such asDayQuil.
However, generations of pharmacists have recommended pseudoephedrine over phenylephrine for those who were cleared to take it.
Some or all of these symptoms can accompany sinus infections.
Histamine is responsible for allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, itching, and a runny or stuffy nose.
Antihistamines work by blocking histamine receptors.
This prevents histamine from binding to cells throughout the body, including those in the eyes and nasal passages.
By blocking histamine, antihistamines reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms like sneezing and runny nose.
Types of Antihistamines
Oral formulations of antihistamines include tablets, capsules, chewable tablets, and liquids.
Remember that the FDA doesnt specifically approve antihistamines for sinus infections.
However, healthcare professionals often recommend them to relieve symptoms of colds and sinusitis.
Claritin and Zyrtec are approved for use in children 2 years and older.
Claritin and Zyrtec are similarly effective.
Examples includebeta-blockermedications, such asToprol XL (metoprolol), orcalcium channel blockers, such asNorvasc (amlodipine).
Anticoagulants
Some cold and allergy medications contain ingredients like aspirin or NSAIDs like ibuprofen.
This interaction risk exists even if you took an MAOI in the past two weeks.
Examples of MAOIs include the antidepressant Marplan (isocarboxazid) and the antibioticZyvox (linezolid).
Examples ofopioid analgesicsinclude:Tylenol 3 (acetaminophen-codeine),morphine, andoxycodone.
Many other prescription medications may interact with cold or allergy medications.
Summary
Sinusitis commonly affects 1 in 8 people in the United States each year.
It often results from infections that trigger uncomfortable symptoms like congestion, facial pain, and headaches.
For example, phenylephrine is generally not recommended during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.
Therefore, consult your healthcare provider before proceeding with an OTC decongestant.
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