Decongestants are a type of medicine that can provide short-term relief for a blocked nose (nasal congestion). They can be taken to ease the symptoms of mild conditions such as the common cold, hay fever or nasal allergies.
Many decongestants can be bought over the counter in pharmacies without a prescription. They are available as tablets or a nasal spray.
How decongestants work
Decongestants reduce the swelling of the blood vessels inside your nose (see box). This helps to open up your nasal airway, making breathing easier.
However, although decongestants can help you to breathe more easily, they cannot cure the underlying cause of your blocked nose, such as a cold or allergy.
Also, decongestants are effective in clearing nasal congestion over short periods of time. It is unlikely they will work for more than five to seven days, and they can even cause your nose to become more blocked once you stop taking them (rebound congestion).
Names
Some of the most common decongestants are:
- pseudoephedrine
- oxymetazoline
- phenylephrine
- xylometazoline
