Pharmacist

Saline wash

Always start with a saline wash before using medications.

Medications for stuffy nose has side effects. They either bump up the blood pressure, make you wired, deny you sleep, make you jittery or even cause stuffy nose if you use it for a long time.

Neti-Pot

A good idea if you want to avoid decongestants as much as possible.

The only problem is, you either like it or you don't. To like it, use it with a saline rinse formulated with natural extracts and essential oils for an invigorating clean. Example Alkalol®

Once you get past the initial feeling of accidentally inhaling water while swimming, you will love using it.  

Decongestants

Nasal sprays

Start with a decongestant nasal spray. The onset of action within 10 minutes.

You can switch to decongestant tablets if still congested after 3 days.

At about day 3, stop using the nasal spray if you are still stuffed up. This is when you will start experiencing the rebound effect of the nasal spray.

Prefer nasal spray with oxymetazoline for 12-hour dosing. Nasal sprays with phenylephrine require you to use them every 4 to 6 hours.

Pills:

Ask for pseudoephedrine at the pharmacy counter.

You will need a government issued ID to monitor your daily or monthly quantity limit.

Do not use phenylephrine found in the cold aisle. The strength approved by the FDA for nasal congestion is not effective and using a higher dose will cause more side effects and will not work either. Stay away from this.

Nasal spray steroids

Steroidal nasal sprays can reduce the inflammation that cause nasal congestion. But it takes about 5 - 7 days to kick in.

If you get nasal congestion often as in allergy or nasal polyps, invest in this. Both for prevention and relief purposes.

Do not use this if your stuffy nose is due to a cold. It will not work.

Worth doing

1. Invest in a humidifier.