Decongestants

Decongestants

Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), naphazoline (4-Way Fast-Acting Nasal Spray), and oxymetazoline (Afrin Nasal Spray) are examples of decongestants.

• How decongestants work: These drugs decrease nasal congestion by causing blood vessel constriction (narrowing) and reduced blood flow to the nasal passage.
  
  
• Who should not use these medications: These medications should not be used in those who are allergic to them. They may cause unwanted side effects in individuals with the following conditions:
  
  
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma
    
    
  • Poorly controlled high blood pressure
    
    
  • Coronary artery disease (hardening of the arteries)
• Use: Use nasal sprays as directed for temporary relief only (no longer than 3-5 days). Prolonged use can cause worsening congestion.
  
  
• Drug or food interactions:
  
  
  • Avoid within 2 weeks of taking MAOIs (for example, isocarboxazid [Marplan], pargyline [Eutonyl], procarbazine [Matulane], and tranylcypromine [Parnate]).
    
    
  • Use caution with herbal drug preparations that also increase blood pressure, such as ephedra (Ma Huang).
    
    
  • Illicit drugs (such as cocaine) may also cause increased blood pressure.

• Side effects: Do not use decongestant nasal sprays for more than 3-5 days. Use beyond 3-5 days causes swelling in the nasal passages and aggravates allergic symptoms. Oral decongestants may increase blood pressure, cause or aggravate existing heart rhythm abnormalities, and/or cause wakefulness and difficulty falling asleep.