Drops For Nasal Congestion - A List Of The Best Drops

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 09:49

Nasal drops

In the cold season, it is difficult to find a more urgent problem than a runny nose that exists by itself or accompanying colds. In order to regain the ability to breathe freely, most people resort to a variety of pharmacological agents, the choice of which is made by a doctor or, which happens much more often and is wrong, by the person himself.

A drug is a complex chemical substance or a whole set of substances, the action of which must be known and be able to predict individually in each case, which is why it is necessary to consult a doctor for a list of necessary pharmaceutical products, and not to relatives, friends or a pharmacy employee.

Content:

• Vasoconstrictor
• Moisturizers
• Drops in the nose for edema and allergies
• Antimicrobial
• Hormonal
• Vegetable
• Homeopathic
• Antiviral
• Silver based nasal drops
• Antibacterial
• When to see an ENT doctor?

Vasoconstrictor

The most common remedy for the common cold at the moment are vasoconstrictors, produced in two dosage forms: drops (suitable for small children) and sprays (designed for children from 6 years old and adults). The principle of action of these drugs consists in a sharp narrowing of the vessels of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, which quickly relieves the swelling that closes the respiratory passages. Due to a decrease in the volume of blood flow, the rate of mucus production also decreases, it becomes thick and tightly fixed on the walls of the nasal mucosa, which greatly facilitates breathing.

The overwhelming majority of people, with the manifestation of signs of a cold, are accustomed to using drugs with vasoconstrictor components. Correct for such funds is occasional use - then there will be no side effects or wrong reactions. In the instructions for any drug in this group, you can find an indication not to use it for more than three days in a row.

The thing is that artificial narrowing of the nasal vessels with the help of chemicals occurs in an extreme mode. In the first week of constant use, the vessels become dependent on the drug: while you are using it, they are narrowed, but as soon as the stimulant substance disappears from the mucosal surface, the edema returns. And, as in all such cases of addiction, an increasing dose is required to maintain a stable efficacy.

But the problem is not addiction, but what happens after the first week of using the vasoconstrictor. If they are used too often, the vessels generally stop responding to attempts to stimulate their narrowing, and in some cases the opposite effect of increasing edema is possible. Even if the use of the drug was not too frequent, with a chronic rhinitis, against the background of the visible effect of eliminating mucosal edema, a gradual disruption of metabolic processes occurs, due to which the walls of the vessels become thinner and become fragile. As a result, frequent bleeding with rises in blood pressure and even minor injuries.

Side effects from an overdose of vasoconstrictors are worth mentioning separately. This list, according to various sources, includes symptoms such as palpitations, headache, nausea, increased blood pressure, sleep disorder and depression. Glaucoma and atrophic rhinitis are contraindications to the use of drugs based on vasoconstrictor substances. Arterial hypertension, problems with the cardiovascular system and the thyroid gland require a doctor's consultation before prescribing drops and sprays from this group. When treating rhinitis in children with vasoconstrictor drugs, a pediatrician's consultation is mandatory, as is a therapist's consultation for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Rules for the use of vasoconstrictor drugs for the common cold:

• Sprays and drops based on vasoconstrictor substances do not need to be used daily and several times a day. It is better to use them only as a means of rapid restoration of breathing with complete overlap of the airways by edema;
• Do not use medication at the first sign of shortness of breath. First, you must try to return the airways to normal capacity through exercise and breathing exercises;
• During the day, it is recommended to use funds that act for only 3-4 hours, since during vigorous activity, nasal breathing may not be used, and temporary edema is eliminated by the forces of the body. Preparations that work from 8 to 12 hours are intended for use at night;
• In any case, you need to use vasoconstrictor drops as little as possible. Usually, the most severe runny nose goes away after the onset of the disease, so try to stop using vasoconstrictors immediately after the first improvement in the condition of the nasopharynx. It is better to continue the fight against a cold by instilling a weak solution of salt or inhalation.

Xylometazoline

Xylometazoline is the most common vasoconstrictor component of drops and sprays that make breathing easier when you have a cold. The duration of its action is limited to 4 hours, so drugs for a stuffy nose based on it can be classified as "daytime". Xylometazoline is the main ingredient in drops known to many doctors and mothers called Galazolin.

The dosage forms of this drug are nasal drops and gel, which can be used by both adults and children. Xylometazoline spray is presented in pharmaceuticals such as Xymelin, Dlyanos, Rinonorm, many and others. Sprays are considered to be the more advanced form, as they have a lower likelihood of side effects due to the more accurate dosing method (approximately the same amount of medicine is released with each press). This also contributes to the economical consumption of the drug.

Oxymetazoline

Oxymetazoline is the main component of known nasal drops:

• Nazivin - the advantage of this drug is the presence of several types of release forms with different concentrations of the active substance for adults and children. This spray drug is also strictly dosed and has a lower risk of side effects due to improved uniformity of distribution;
• Nazol is an Italian-made adrenostimulant that shows excellent results in the treatment of acute rhinitis, colds and sinusitis. Contraindicated in children under 6 years of age;
• Fervex - a spray that helps to eliminate nasal congestion with symptoms of a cold, allows you to quickly get rid of a cold;
• Fazin - This new nasal spray is gaining significant popularity and is already available in most pharmacies in the country;
• Nazol Advance is an example of a pharmaceutical product with oxymetazoline and additional components (eucalyptus, levomenthol, camphor, propylene glycol) that can eliminate the feeling of dryness after using other sprays and drops and soothe irritated nasal mucosa.

Oxymetazoline is a long-acting vasoconstrictor and provides an effect for 10 to 12 hours. It has a higher toxicity compared to xylometazoline, therefore, drugs based on it should not be taken for functional disorders of the kidneys, diabetes mellitus, pregnant women and children under 12 months of age.

Naphazoline

Naphazoline is the main component of drugs such as:

• Naphthyzin - is available in two versions of the concentration of the active substance for adults and children. In addition to intranasal use, naphthyzine can be used to treat conjunctivitis of bacterial origin by instillation into the conjunctival cavity;
• Sanorin is notable for the fact that, in addition to the usual forms of drops and spray, it is also produced in the form of an emulsion that contains liquid paraffin, eucalyptus essential oil and boric acid, which helps fight the cause of the disease. The effectiveness of the application of the emulsion in comparison with drops and even a spray is much higher, and there are practically no side effects;
• Tizin, Farial - belongs to the most modern means for quickly solving a problem such as a runny nose. These pharmaceuticals have increased duration of action (up to about 8 hours) and may be the only way to quickly get rid of swelling of the nasal mucosa if other drops do not work. Unfortunately, Tizin is not recommended for babies under two years old, and Farial is contraindicated for children under 7 years old.

Naphazoline, unlike its analogs described above, causes vasoconstriction within 4-6 hours. Typically, naphazoline pharmaceuticals are the cheapest vasoconstrictor drugs for the common cold.

Read more: Runny nose - causes, symptoms, how to treat?

Moisturizers

Means for moisturizing a stuffy nose are not created for direct treatment of the causes and symptoms of a cold, but are needed as an aid to accelerate the discharge of mucus from the maxillary and nasal sinuses. Many doctors consider the use of such funds in combination for the treatment of a stuffy nose is mandatory. Moisturizing the mucous membrane is required to maintain its health and integrity, since in the process of mucus discharge and when using various drugs against the common cold, it often gets dry and injured, especially with chronic atrophic rhinitis.

Moisturizing drops are created on the basis of mineral or sea water, thanks to which they are a source of natural trace elements and salts of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and others. These components are necessary to stimulate the active movement of mucus by the cilia of the epithelium and to normalize the functioning of the glandular cells of the mucous membrane. Usually, moisturizers do not add any special active chemical components, so such medicines have no side effects and can be used several times a day.

Most often, the respiratory tract is blocked by mucus, so there is no need to immediately eliminate the edema and conduct extreme vascular stimulation for the nose.

When there is a lot of mucus, but there is no swelling, it is much safer to rinse the nose with salt water using drugs such as:

• Aquamaris;
• Salin;
• Marimer;
• Aqualor.

Drops in the nose for edema and allergies

Drugs for the treatment of allergic rhinitis combine a vasoconstrictor and antihistamine effect, which allows not only to quickly relieve puffiness and facilitate breathing, but also to prevent the development of an allergic reaction. They usually contain two main components - decongestants and blockers of histamine receptors, which provides a complex effect. They are used to treat allergic rhinitis and colds.

Popular combination drugs for allergic rhinitis:

• Vibrocil is a Swiss remedy, available in the form of drops, gel, spray. It is well tolerated even by the smallest patients, for which pediatricians like to prescribe it;
• Sanorin-Anallergin is a combined preparation for nasal instillation with allergic rhinitis, release form - drops. Side effects include lethargy and drowsiness, so it is recommended to use it at night;
• Rinofluimucil is an Italian spray with a mild vasoconstrictor and mucus-thinning effect, contains antihistamines;
• Coldakt - Indian pills for allergic rhinitis, side effects may include drowsiness;
• Orinol is an American drug for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, available in tablet form.

Antimicrobial

Combined medicines based on herbal raw materials and antimicrobial components help to successfully fight bacterial and fungal rhinitis, stimulating the restoration of the mucous membrane and the reduction of edema.

Popular means of this group:

• Dr. Theiss Nazolin - contains eucalyptus essential oil with natural antibacterial properties and the vasoconstrictor component xylometazoline;
• Pinosol is a complex of aromatic oils of medicinal plants with natural antimicrobial properties. Available in a wide variety of forms - drops, nasal ointment, cream, bath capsules.
• Bactroban is an antibiotic-based nasal ointment used to treat staphylococcal infections, which are characterized by purulent nasal discharge;
• Polydex with Phenylephrine is a combined preparation containing antibiotics, available in the form of a spray. It also contains anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor components, which allows not only to eliminate the cause of the common cold - a bacterial infection - but also to alleviate the negative manifestations of the disease. Contraindicated in viral rhinitis, it cannot be used by children under three years of age, pregnant women, and patients with renal insufficiency.

Hormonal

In addition to antihistamines, hormonal drugs are also used to treat allergic rhinitis. A common form of release is a spray, a local effect that does not disturb the hormonal balance of the body as a whole.

Common hormonal drugs:

• Beconase;
• Nazonex;
• Fliksonase;
• Nasobek.

Hormonal sprays do not bring an immediate effect as from vasoconstrictor drops, the fastest-acting of them - Nasonex - gives a result 12 hours after application. This remedy can be used to treat allergic rhinitis in children from the age of three. Beconase and Nasobek are prescribed to patients at least 6 years old.

Hormonal drugs can be used only on the advice of a doctor. They are strictly contraindicated in bacterial and fungal rhinitis, as they can lower the local immunity of the mucous membrane and promote the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms, which leads to serious complications.

Vegetable

Medicines in this group are distinguished by the fact that they produce a refreshing effect on the nasal mucosa using natural essential oils. Most often, the main component of such drugs is menthol (peppermint oil), pine and eucalyptus oils. There are no ingredients in these complex substances that would eliminate mucosal edema, constrict blood vessels or change the properties of nasal mucus. The improvement of the condition occurs due to the action of essential oils on the cold receptors, which creates a feeling of freshness and eliminates the unpleasant manifestations of the common cold.

Popular herbal drops include:

Sinupret is a combined pharmaceutical preparation capable of stimulating the outflow of mucus from the maxillary sinuses, has anti-inflammatory, mucolytic and secretolytic properties. Moisturizes the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, soothes irritations and improves resistance to physical and biological influences. Children can be taken from two years old, found in pharmacies in two forms: drops and pills.

Homeopathic

Acute rhinitis caused by viral respiratory infections is often treated with homeopathic nasal sprays and drops that can produce a wide spectrum of effects: they eliminate edema, help fight viruses, and stimulate immunity. Usually, the scheme of using homeopathic remedies depends on age - the drug is taken daily for 1 or 2 hours every quarter of an hour until complete recovery.

Despite the safety (homeopathic remedies are completely natural) and comparative effectiveness, only the homeopath himself can try to tell in advance how useful homeopathy will be. You need to select a homeopathic remedy for yourself individually, and be prepared for the fact that some of them may not produce the desired effect.

With a runny nose of any kind, homeopathic medicines such as:

• Euphorbium compositum - nasal spray;
• Edas-131 - drops.

Antiviral

One of the few types of drops that are aimed at treating the cause of the common cold, and not its symptoms. Antiviral agents are needed for both prevention and treatment of viral infections that provoke a runny nose. These pharmaceuticals are obtained from donor leukocytes or are created using genetic engineering technologies. Drugs from this group are capable of suppressing the multiplication of viruses. They can be taken when there is a threat of infection, during the first symptoms of SARS (cough, runny nose, sneezing), and until complete recovery.

The following antiviral agents have become popular among the population:

• Grippferon - solution for nasal instillation;
• Tamiflu - capsules;
• Arbidol - capsules;
• Viferon - rectal suppositories;
• Kipferon - rectal suppositories;
• Remantadine - tablets.

Silver based nasal drops

These drops use a silver solution as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory component, which makes it useful in cases of the threat of a chronic rhinitis and at the beginning of the development of hypertrophic rhinitis.

Silver-based pharmaceuticals are produced such as:

• Collargol - a two percent solution is used against the common cold, fights well with the developing hypertrophy of the nasal mucosa;
• Protargol - a 2% solution of colloidal silver is also used, the astringent, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of which make it an effective remedy against hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsils.

Antibacterial

A runny nose, provoked by a bacterial infection, is usually a prerequisite for sinusitis or sinusitis, therefore, antibacterial drugs should be used to prevent complications. Aerosols, the particles of which penetrate deep into the nasal sinuses, qualitatively disinfect the mucous membrane and stop a runny nose. The action of the sprays is completely local, which makes it possible to treat bacterial rhinitis even for pregnant and lactating women.

Among modern antibacterial pharmaceuticals for the nose, it is worth paying attention to:

• Framycetin - metered dose aerosol;
• Polydexa - spray;
• Mupirocin - drops or ointment for the nasal mucosa.

When to see an ENT doctor?

Chronic rhinitis is treated with different methods, depending on the cause of the disease. The complex of therapeutic measures includes taking medications, physiotherapy and restorative procedures. Severe cases of chronic rhinitis may require surgery.

One of the most modern methods of treating chronic rhinitis is laser exposure. After the laser therapy procedure, the swelling of the mucous membrane subsides, breathing is facilitated, the amount of nasal discharge decreases.

For the treatment of allergic rhinitis, the help of an otolaryngologist and an allergist is needed, the specialist must identify the allergen and draw up the optimal course of treatment.

Seeing an ENT specialist is necessary if a runny nose and nasal congestion do not go away for more than three weeks. Concomitant symptoms - headaches, pain in the eyes, the presence of pus in the nasal mucus, lacrimation - may appear when the disease turns into a severe form, indicating the presence of complications. If they occur, you must immediately consult a doctor.

Medicines used in the treatment of acute or chronic rhinitis can be very diverse. However, a doctor should prescribe them, since taking the wrong medication will not only not improve the situation, but can lead to complications, for example, provoke rhinitis medication.

The author of the article: Lazarev Oleg Vladimirovich | ENT

Education: In 2009, he received a diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" at the Petrozavodsk State University. After completing an internship at the Murmansk Regional Clinical Hospital, he received a diploma in Otorhinolaryngology (2010)