How Do Intranasal Decongestants Work?

Intranasal decongestants are drugs used for relieving nasal congestion.

They work in the following ways:

• Relieve irritation of the upper respiratory tract infection
• Reduce swelling of the inner lining of the nose
• Shrink blood vessels in the nasal passage to relieve nasal congestion
• Provide moisture to dry or inflamed nasal membranes
• Help thin the sputum

Intranasal decongestants are used for treating:

• Nasal congestion
• Nasal dryness
• Nasal swelling
• Nasal irritation

Intranasal decongestants may cause the following side effects:

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Tremors
• Sweating
• Stinging
• Dryness
• Burning
• Local irritation
• Sneezing

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of intranasal decongestants include:

• Afrin
• Ayr saline
• Benzedrex
• Cheracol nasal
• Dristan 12 hr
• Duramist plus
• Duration
• Entsol
• Genasal
• HuMist
• Hypotonic saline, intranasal
• Naphazoline
• Nasal
• Neo-synephrine cold & sinus mild strength spray
• Neosynephrine nasal
• Ocean
• Ocean for kids
• Oxymetazoline intranasal
• Phenylephrine nasal
• Privine
• Propylhexedrine
• Qlearquil 12 hour nasal decongestant moisturizing spray
• Rhinaris
• Rhinase gel
• Rhinase mist
• Sinarest 12 hour
• Sodium chloride, intranasal
• Triaminic decongestant spray nasal & sinus congestion
• Vicks sinex 12 hour
• Xylometazoline