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Medications for Nasal Congestion

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
acrivastine / pseudoephedrine 10 1 review for acrivastine / pseudoephedrine to treat Nasal Congestion
Rx B N X
Generic name:
acrivastine / pseudoephedrine systemic
Brand name:
Semprex-D
Drug class:
upper respiratory combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Aleve-D Sinus & Cold 10 1 review for Aleve-D Sinus & Cold to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC N N X
Generic name:
naproxen / pseudoephedrine systemic
Drug class:
upper respiratory combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Benzedrex 10 1 review for Benzedrex to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC N N
Generic name:
propylhexedrine nasal
Drug class:
nasal antihistamines and decongestants
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Chlor-Trimeton Nasal Decongestant 10 1 review for Chlor-Trimeton Nasal Decongestant to treat Nasal Congestion
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
pseudoephedrine systemic
Drug class:
decongestants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
chlorpheniramine / methscopolamine / phenylephrine 10 2 reviews for chlorpheniramine / methscopolamine / phenylephrine to treat Nasal Congestion
Rx C N X
Generic name:
chlorpheniramine / methscopolamine / phenylephrine systemic
Brand name:
AH-Chew II
Drug class:
upper respiratory combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Dristan 12 Hour Nasal Spray 10 1 review for Dristan 12 Hour Nasal Spray to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC C N
Generic name:
oxymetazoline nasal
Drug class:
nasal antihistamines and decongestants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Drixoral Decongestant Non-Drowsy 10 2 reviews for Drixoral Decongestant Non-Drowsy to treat Nasal Congestion
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
pseudoephedrine systemic
Drug class:
decongestants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Loratadine-D 24 Hour 10 1 review for Loratadine-D 24 Hour to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC B N
Generic name:
loratadine / pseudoephedrine systemic
Drug class:
upper respiratory combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Mucinex Sinus-Max Full Force 10 1 review for Mucinex Sinus-Max Full Force to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC C N
Generic name:
oxymetazoline nasal
Drug class:
nasal antihistamines and decongestants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
naproxen / pseudoephedrine 10 1 review for naproxen / pseudoephedrine to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC N N X
Generic name:
naproxen / pseudoephedrine systemic
Brand names:
Aleve-D Sinus & Cold, Aleve-D Sinus & Headache, Sudafed 12 Hour Pressure+Pain
Drug class:
upper respiratory combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Neo-Synephrine Nasal 10 2 reviews for Neo-Synephrine Nasal to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC C N
Generic name:
phenylephrine nasal
Drug class:
nasal antihistamines and decongestants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Privine 10 13 reviews for Privine to treat Nasal Congestion
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
naphazoline nasal
Drug class:
nasal antihistamines and decongestants
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
propylhexedrine 10 1 review for propylhexedrine to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC N N
Generic name:
propylhexedrine nasal
Brand name:
Benzedrex
Drug class:
nasal antihistamines and decongestants
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Rhinall 10 1 review for Rhinall to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC C N
Generic name:
phenylephrine nasal
Drug class:
nasal antihistamines and decongestants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Semprex-D 10 1 review for Semprex-D to treat Nasal Congestion
Rx B N X
Generic name:
acrivastine / pseudoephedrine systemic
Drug class:
upper respiratory combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Zicam Sinus Relief 10 1 review for Zicam Sinus Relief to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC C N
Generic name:
oxymetazoline nasal
Drug class:
nasal antihistamines and decongestants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
dexbrompheniramine / pseudoephedrine 9.9 16 reviews for dexbrompheniramine / pseudoephedrine to treat Nasal Congestion
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
dexbrompheniramine / pseudoephedrine systemic
Brand names:
Conex, Dixaphedrine, Drixoral Cold and Allergy
Drug class:
upper respiratory combinations
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Drixoral Cold and Allergy 9.9 13 reviews for Drixoral Cold and Allergy to treat Nasal Congestion
Rx/OTC C N X
Generic name:
dexbrompheniramine / pseudoephedrine systemic
Drug class:
upper respiratory combinations
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
naphazoline 9.9 14 reviews for naphazoline to treat Nasal Congestion
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
naphazoline nasal
Brand name:
Privine
Drug class:
nasal antihistamines and decongestants
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
Afrin 4 Hour Extra Moisturizing 9.0 2 reviews for Afrin 4 Hour Extra Moisturizing to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC C N
Generic name:
phenylephrine nasal
Drug class:
nasal antihistamines and decongestants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Children's Dimetapp Decongestant Infant 9.0 1 review for Children's Dimetapp Decongestant Infant to treat Nasal Congestion
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
pseudoephedrine systemic
Drug class:
decongestants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Afrin Sinus 8.0 2 reviews for Afrin Sinus to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC C N
Generic name:
oxymetazoline nasal
Drug class:
nasal antihistamines and decongestants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Alavert D-12 Hour Allergy and Sinus 8.0 1 review for Alavert D-12 Hour Allergy and Sinus to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC B N
Generic name:
loratadine / pseudoephedrine systemic
Drug class:
upper respiratory combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Deep Sea Nasal Spray 8.0 1 review for Deep Sea Nasal Spray to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC C N
Generic name:
sodium chloride nasal
Drug class:
nasal lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
Rhinaris 8.0 1 review for Rhinaris to treat Nasal Congestion
OTC C N
Generic name:
sodium chloride nasal
Drug class:
nasal lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
dosage, side effects

Frequently asked questions

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Alternative treatments for Nasal Congestion

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Nasal Congestion. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Nasal Congestion.

Learn more about Nasal Congestion

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.