How many of us resort to over the counter (OTC) drugs for relief of symptoms of common cold or stuffy nose just because it saves us the need for a valid prescription? Most of us do, don’t we? But do we really know how to use these drugs safely without experiencing side effects and without getting our body dependent on them.
While these OTC medicines can help treat or prevent symptoms from nasal congestion they can also cause adverse effects, drug-drug interactions, and food-drug interactions. As certain situations can also put you at a higher risk of adverse effects, it is always better to be aware of the risks so you know how to avoid them.
OTC nasal decongestants
You experience nasal stuffiness or congestion when there is swelling of your nasal membranes due to common cold, flu or sinusitis. OTC decongestants relieve nasal swelling and congestion, lessen breathing through the mouth, decrease pressure in the sinuses and head, and ease discomfort. They cause narrowing of the blood vessels in the lining of your nose. This causes a reduction in the blood flow through the area, and lessens the leakage of fluid into the tissues. The swollen tissue inside the nose, therefore shrinks and allows for the air to pass through the nose more easily. But you need to remember that they only help to open the airway, and do not treat the underlying cause of inflammation.
The options
OTC decongestants are available in the oral pill form and as topical nasal sprays/drops. They are usually available in combination with antihistamines or mucus thinning agents. The oral decongestants contain pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. Drugs containing pseudoephedrine may need you to talk to a pharmacist although a prescription from the doctor may not be necessary.
You may prefer the oral decongestants if you expect to use them for more than 3 to 5 days. These rarely cause rebound nasal congestion even if taken for long periods. You may opt for nasal sprays or drops if you want quick temporary relief of nasal stuffiness due to either allergic or non allergic causes. They work more quickly (in a few minutes) and without the usual side effects as seen with the oral decongestants as they are applied directly to the affected area.
If you have a stuffy nose due to common cold, flu, or allergy, then you may find relief with use of a decongestant. You may also benefit from them if you suffer from sinusitis as they relieve sinus pressure. However, the OTC decongestants do not help with an itchy, sneezy or runny nose.
You need to call your doctor if the congestion persists for more than two weeks, and is associated with fever, and severe pain in the face or sinuses. You also need to talk to your doctor if you need to use an OTC decongestant nasal spray on a regular basis to keep your nose clear.
Side effects
If you use decongestants occasionally then it is unlikely that you will experience any side effects. Few of the temporary side effects that you may experience with oral decongestants are nervousness, dizziness, irritability, sleeping problems, trouble with urination, and decreased appetite. Your blood pressure may be elevated and you may feel that your heart beat is racing fast.
Topical nasal sprays can cause burning or dryness in the nose and rebound nasal congestion. The longer you use the spray, the less effective it becomes and the more you find you need to use it in order to obtain the desired effect. Beyond a point it causes more congestion than it relieves. If you still continue using the medicine then it can lead to severe stuffiness, burning, bleeding, and dryness of the nose.
Use with caution
If you have been prescribed medicines for asthma, high blood pressure, irregular heart rate, glaucoma, seizures, depression, or diabetes then you need to talk to your doctor before taking a decongestant. Diet medicines are also seen to contain decongestants. So, if you are on diet pills you should not take decongestants in order to avoid excessive stimulating effects. Also as decongestants are usually available in combination with antihistamines, aspirin, or pain relievers it is important that you be aware of the interactions these can have with the drugs you take. You also need to ensure that you are not taking too much of pseudoephedrine that is routinely present in many OTC and allergy products as well as in prescription medicines because it can raise your blood pressure and increase your heart rate.
Decongestants may make you feel restless or can cause sleep problems. You may need to cut down on the caffeine you take while on these medicines. Also, intake of alcohol while taking decongestants can increase drowsiness.
Read the label carefully
You should always read and follow the directions on the drug label and understand what it says before taking the medicine. You need to look for possible side effects or interactions with other drugs you may be taking by reading the warnings section. Also, check that you are not taking two medicines that contain the same active ingredient by going through the active ingredient section. Check if the product contains a drug called as PPA (phenylpropanolamine) that has been recalled by the FDA for safety reasons. Don’t take higher doses of the drug than recommended. Also do not use the drug for more than three days as it can lead to rebound congestion. If the label does not clearly state the ingredients or you fail to understand what the label says and have any queries then you need to talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Know more for effective use!!!
Drugs for stuffy nose, sinus trouble, nasal congestion, and common cold constitute a large segment of the over-the -counter market. Even though they do not cure the underlying cause of nasal congestion they do provide welcome symptomatic relief by narrowing blood vessels in the lining of the nose. But like prescription drugs, OTC medicines can also cause unwanted and sometimes dangerous side effects you need to be aware of.
Side effects can be of particular concern if you have other associated health problems or if you use decongestants for long periods of time. These products shouldn’t be used for more than 3 days because your body can become dependent on them. This will cause your nose to feel even more stopped-up when you quit using them. When you buy an OTC medicine, it is therefore important to read, completely understand and follow the information on the drug label. Be sure you understand what the label says before taking the medicine. If you have any questions, ask your family doctor or pharmacist.
