Medicines for runny nose, such as saline solutions, antiallergics or nasal decongestants, may be recommended by your doctor to relieve nasal congestion, the feeling of a runny nose or constant sneezing, for example.
A runny nose is normally caused by allergic rhinitis, which is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa due to contact with allergenic substances, such as pollen, dust or mold, for example, but it can also result from nasal polyps or infections with viruses or bacteria, such as flu, colds or bacterial sinusitis. See the main causes of runny nose.
Medicines for runny nose should be used with advice from a general practitioner, otorhinolaryngologist or allergist who can recommend the best medicine on an individual basis, according to age, causes of the runny nose and severity of symptoms.
Pharmacy remedies for runny nose
The main remedies for runny nose that may be recommended by your doctor are:
1. Saline solutions
Saline solutions contain 0.9% sodium chloride in their composition, which is a type of salt diluted in sterile water, which helps with nasal hygiene, helping to eliminate irritating substances and allergens from the nasal mucosa and fluidize nasal secretion. , relieving the feeling of a runny or stuffy nose.
Saline solutions can be used in the form of drops or nasal spray, by adults or children, and are found in pharmacies or drugstores under the names Salsep spray, Rinosoro Jet, Nasonew Aires, Sorine SSP, Sorine Jet Baby or Maresis Baby, for example, and can be purchased without a prescription.
Another way to use saline solutions to unclog your nose and alleviate the symptoms of a runny nose is to wash your nose with 0.9% saline solution and a syringe without a needle, because through the force of gravity the serum enters through one nostril and exits through the nose. another, without causing pain or discomfort, eliminating secretions. See how to wash your nose to unclog your nose.
2. Decongestant balm
Decongestant balm, such as Vick Vaporub, can be used to relieve runny nose and nasal congestion, as it contains levomenthol, camphor and eucalyptus oil in its composition, which improve the feeling of a blocked or runny nose.
Vicks Vaporub can be used in the form of an ointment or inhaler, and although it can be purchased without a prescription, it must be used under the guidance of a doctor, as it is contraindicated for pregnant or breastfeeding women or people with respiratory problems, such as asthma, for example. , as the airways are more sensitive and can become inflamed, making breathing difficult.
Furthermore, Vicks Vaporub, as it contains camphor in its composition, should not be used by children under 2 years of age. See how to use Vick Vaporub correctly.
3. Nasal decongestants
Nasal decongestants, in the form of sprays or drops, such as oxymetazoline and phenylephrine, are used locally, in the nose, as they help to de-swell the inflamed tissues of the nasal mucosa, relieving runny nose, nasal congestion, redness and excess mucus. .
These remedies have a quick decongestant effect, however, they should be used for a maximum of 2 to 3 days, as constant or excessive use can cause rebound nasal congestion, which is when the nasal mucosa increases mucus production as it realizes that the secretion decreases, and thus, the discomfort of the runny nose may worsen. See other ways to relieve nasal congestion.
In addition, decongestants can also be found in the form of tablets, such as pseudoephedrine, as it acts by causing vasoconstriction and a consequent decrease in blood flow in the nasal mucosa, reducing the entry of fluids into the nose, throat and sinuses, reducing inflammation of the nasal membranes and the production of mucus. Learn how to use pseudoephedrine.
Decongestants should only be used under medical advice, as they are contraindicated for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for people who have high blood pressure, glaucoma, heart or thyroid disease, diabetes or an enlarged prostate, in the case of men. Furthermore, they are also not recommended for people being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Although there are pediatric formulas for children, nasal decongestants for children should only be used under the advice of a pediatrician.
4. Antihistamines
Antihistamines, such as dexchlorpheniramine, loratadine or fexofenadine, are medicines that help alleviate the symptoms of a runny nose, itchy nose or eyes, or constant sneezing, caused by allergic rhinitis, as they act by blocking the action of histamine, which is the substance produced by the body responsible for the allergic response, and is therefore called antiallergic.
These remedies can be used in the form of tablets, syrups, oral solution or drops, according to medical advice. In addition, antihistamines can also be found in the form of a nasal spray, such as azelastine and dimethindene maleate, applied to the mucous membrane of the nose, 2 to 3 times a day, according to medical advice.
Antihistamines should only be used under medical advice, and should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, unless recommended by a doctor.
5. Nasal corticosteroids
Corticosteroids in the form of a nasal spray, such as beclomethasone, fluticasone, mometasone or budesonide, act by reducing inflammation and swelling of the nasal mucosa, relieving the symptoms of runny nose, especially caused by allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis or perennial or seasonal rhinitis.
These remedies quickly relieve rhinitis symptoms and have few side effects when compared to oral corticosteroids, in addition to being considered more effective than antihistamines.
Corticosteroids should only be used with medical guidance and indication, with well-determined doses and for the time indicated by the doctor, on an individual basis.
6. Antileucotrienos
Antileukotrienes, such as montelukast, may be recommended by your doctor to relieve runny nose caused by allergic rhinitis, as they act by reducing inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
Montelukast can be found under the trade names Montelair, Ária or Piedmont, for example, and should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, unless advised by your doctor.
7. Antibiotics
Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or azithromycin, for example, may be prescribed by the doctor if the runny nose was caused by bacterial infections, as in the case of bacterial sinusitis.
These medications help eliminate bacteria and relieve a runny nose and other symptoms of bacterial sinusitis, such as a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the face, headache or pain around the eyes, and a stuffy nose, and are often used in combination with other medications. , such as corticosteroids, for example. See how sinusitis is treated.
Medicine for children’s runny nose
Remedies for children’s runny nose should be prescribed by the pediatrician according to the child’s age, the severity of the symptoms and the cause of the runny nose.
Generally, the pediatrician recommends increasing the child’s or baby’s hydration, and washing the nose with 0.9% saline solution, which helps to relieve the runny nose and thin the mucus, facilitating its elimination, relieving discomfort. See how to clean your baby’s nose correctly.
Furthermore, depending on the cause of a child’s runny nose, the pediatrician may recommend the use of antihistamines in syrup form and decongestant drops, according to the child’s age, and should only be used if prescribed by the pediatrician. The doses of medicine for children’s runny nose must be indicated by the pediatrician, as well as the duration of treatment.
Home remedy options for runny nose
A good way to complement medical treatment for a runny nose is to inhale with eucalyptus essential oil, as it helps reduce inflammation in the airways, as well as fluidizing the mucus, facilitating its elimination, relieving the discomfort of a runny nose. See how to inhalate with eucalyptus.
Furthermore, another home remedy for a runny nose is to drink juice or consume foods rich in vitamin C, as it has an antioxidant effect that helps to strengthen the body’s natural defenses and fight flu or colds. Check out the complete list of foods rich in vitamin C.
If the runny nose was caused by allergic rhinitis, it is also important to clean the environment as much as possible, clean the nostrils and avoid contact with allergens as much as possible.
It is important to emphasize that the use of these, or any other natural remedy, should not replace the medicines recommended by the doctor, being just a way to help alleviate symptoms more quickly.
