Decongestant medicines can be taken in two ways:
- as tablets
- as a nasal spray
Decongestant tablets may take a little longer to work, but their effect can last longer than nasal sprays.
You should not use decongestants for more than five to seven days at a time. This is because they can only provide short-term relief for a blocked nose, and using them for any longer can make your symptoms worse.
Rhinitis medicamentosa
Rhinitis medicamentosa is a type of non-allergic rhinitis caused by the overuse of nasal decongestants.
Nasal decongestants reduce the swelling of the blood vessels inside your nose. However, if decongestant sprays are used for more than five to seven days at a time, they can cause your nasal lining to swell up again, even when the cold or allergy that originally caused the problem has passed. If you use more decongestants in an attempt to reduce the swelling, it is likely to make the problem worse. This is known as 'rebound congestion'.
Some people find they get locked into a cycle of overuse and dependence on nasal decongestants, much like a drug addiction.
Always follow the instructions on the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine to make sure you do not take too much. Alternatively, ask your GP or pharmacist if you are unsure about the correct dosage.
