Over The Counter Medicine For A Runny Nose
A runny nose is a common symptom that can be caused by a variety of factors such as allergies, cold, flu or sinusitis. It can be uncomfortable and can affect your daily activities. Over the counter (OTC) medication can help alleviate the symptoms of a runny nose. In this article, we will discuss the different OTC medicines that you can use to treat a runny nose.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are OTC drugs that can be used to treat a runny nose caused by allergies. They work by blocking the action of histamines, which are chemicals that the body releases in response to an allergen. Histamines cause symptoms such as sneezing, itching and a runny nose. Antihistamines can be found in different forms such as pills, liquids or nasal sprays.
Some common antihistamines that you can find in drugstores are:
- Loratadine (Claritin)
- Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- Fexofenadine (Allegra)
It is important to note that antihistamines can cause drowsiness in some people. If you are planning to drive or operate heavy machinery, make sure to check the label of the drug to see if it can cause drowsiness.
Decongestants
Decongestants are OTC drugs that can help relieve a runny nose caused by a cold or flu. They work by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages, reducing the amount of mucus that is produced. Decongestants can be found in different forms such as pills, liquids or nasal sprays.
Some common decongestants that you can find in drugstores are:
- Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
- Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)
It is important to note that decongestants can cause side effects such as increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and insomnia. If you have a medical condition such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, make sure to check with your doctor before taking decongestants.
Combination Medications
Combination medications are OTC drugs that contain both antihistamines and decongestants. They can be used to treat a runny nose caused by allergies or a cold. Combination medications can be found in different forms such as pills or liquids.
Some common combination medications that you can find in drugstores are:
- Claritin-D
- Zyrtec-D
- Allegra-D
It is important to note that combination medications can cause side effects such as drowsiness, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and insomnia. If you have a medical condition such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, make sure to check with your doctor before taking combination medications.
Nasal Sprays
Nasal sprays are OTC drugs that can be used to treat a runny nose caused by allergies or a cold. They work by reducing the inflammation in the nasal passages, which can help reduce the amount of mucus that is produced. Nasal sprays can be found in different forms such as saline sprays, corticosteroid sprays or decongestant sprays.
Some common nasal sprays that you can find in drugstores are:
- Afrin
- Flonase
- Rhinocort
It is important to note that some nasal sprays can cause side effects such as dryness, burning or stinging in the nose. If you have a medical condition such as glaucoma or high blood pressure, make sure to check with your doctor before using nasal sprays.
Conclusion
A runny nose can be uncomfortable and can affect your daily activities. OTC medication can help alleviate the symptoms of a runny nose caused by allergies, cold or flu. Antihistamines, decongestants, combination medications and nasal sprays are some of the OTC drugs that you can use to treat a runny nose. Make sure to read the label of the drug and check with your doctor if you have a medical condition before taking any OTC medication.