How Can I Safely Store Otc Decongestants
Store all medicines up and away, out of reach and sight of young children. Keep medicines in a cool, dry place. This helps prevent them from becoming less effective before their expiration dates. Dont store medicines in bathrooms, including in bathroom cabinets. These locations are often hot and humid.
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How Can I Safely Take Otc Decongestants
Before you take OTC decongestants, read the directions on the drug facts label. It will tell you how much medicine to take and how often to take it. If you have any questions, call your doctor.
Follow these tips to make sure youre taking the right amount of medicine:
- Take only the amount shown on the medicines label. Dont assume more medicine will work better or quicker. Taking more than the recommended amount can be dangerous.
- If youre taking a prescription medicine, ask your doctor if its okay to also take an OTC decongestant.
- Dont use more than 1 OTC decongestant medicine at a time unless your doctor says its okay. Multiple medicines may have similar active ingredients that add up to be too much medicine.
If using a liquid decongestant, use the measuring spoon that came with the medicine. This spoon is the right size for the dose you need. Dont use a kitchen spoon.
When using decongestants, keep a record of the OTC medicines youre using and when you take them. If you need to go to the doctor, take this list with you.
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What Medications Are Used To Treat Sinus Infections
Antibiotics:
First and foremost, if you are suffering from an active bacterial sinus infection you may be treated with antibiotics. Depending on whether you have acute sinusitis or chronic sinusitis will determine your course of therapy.As acute sinusitis may require 10 -14 days of antibiotic therapy chronic sinusitis may need to be treated for up to 30 days with medication.Remember Most cases of sinusitis are caused by viruses such as the common cold and will clear up within 10 or so days. In this case, antibiotics will not be helpful as antibiotics kill bacteria not viruses. Based upon your symptoms, medical history and physical examination your doctor will help determine if antibiotics are necessary.
Pain Medication:
Sinus headaches hurt. Sometimes the pain and pressure can make basic everyday activities impossible to do. So many times those suffering from sinusitis will take an over the counter medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen . Make sure to follow the labeled directions and see your doctor if your symptoms havent improved after a week or if they worsen.
Aerosolized antibiotics, steroids and antifugal treatments:
These may be administered through an aerosol or a nasal rinse. Frequently a compounding pharmacy is required to create this rinse.
Antihistamines:
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Best Cold Medicine For Body Aches
Analgesics refer to medications that relieve different types of pain. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are also examples of analgesics, so for those suffering from both a fever and body aches, many will experience relief from both symptoms with a single agent. These are common ingredients in combination cold medication products, so always be sure to read the labels of the medications you are taking. These medications may need to be avoided with certain health conditions, so you can always discuss with an expert if these are your best option.
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What Is The Role Of Otc Medication For Sinus Pain
There are many different OTC medications available to relieve the common complaints of sinus pain and pressure, allergy problems and nasal congestion. Most of these medications are combination products that associate either a pain reliever such as acetaminophen with a decongestant or an antihistamine. Knowledge of these products and of the probable cause of symptoms will help the consumer to decide which product is best suited to relieve the common symptoms associated with nasal or sinus inflammation.
OTC nasal medications are designed to reduce symptoms produced by the inflammation of nasal membranes and sinuses. The goals of OTC medications are to: reopen to nasal passages reduce nasal congestion relieve pain and pressure symptoms and reduce potential for complications. The medications come in several forms.
Viruses Are The Culprits Behind Both Of These Illnesses
There are more than 200 viruses that can cause cold-like symptoms, says Campbell-Scherer. In contrast, there are just two influenza viruses, A and B, but they continually mutate, requiring the flu vaccine to be updated each year in order to protect against the latest strains.
You can contract cold or flu viruses by inhaling droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by coming in contact with the other persons hands or a shared object or surface, and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Once the virus enters your body, it will zero in on the upper respiratory tract , although influenza can also affect the lungs. Cold viruses are infectious up to two days before symptoms appear and remain infectious until theyre gone. However, influenza is infectious one day before it appears and remains so for up to six days after symptoms develop.
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Ranking The Best Antihistamines Of 2021
Antihistamines are chemical compounds that provide relief from allergy, cold and flu symptoms.
There are currently three generations of antihistamines in use in scores of over-the-counter medications. Each successive generation provides more focused relief and produces fewer and less severe side effects.
That said, the number and variety of antihistamine-based products can be intimidating. To make your search a bit easier, we trained a critical eye on the market and determined that the following are the best antihistamines of 2021.
Safety Guide For Phenylephrine
Phenylephrine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is safe and effective when used according to the Drug Facts label.
Ask a healthcare provider before use if:
For nasal decongestants:
- You have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, or difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Before giving a topical nasal decongestant in children under 2 years old.
For hemorrhoid medicines:
- You have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, or difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- You are taking a prescription medicine for high blood pressure or depression.
- Before using a topical hemorrhoid treatment containing phenylephrine on a child under the age of 12.
Do not use if:
For nasal decongestants:
- Never use an oral medicine containing phenylephrine at the same time as a topical nasal decongestant that also contains phenylephrine.
- You are currently taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor or you stopped taking an MAOI less than two weeks ago.
- You are currently taking certain drugs for depression or a psychiatric or emotional condition.
- Do not give an oral decongestant or cough and cold medicine containing phenylephrine to a child under the age of 4.
- Some topical nasal decongestants may be used in children aged 2 and older. Read the Drug Facts label carefully for accurate dosing information.
For hemorrhoid medicines:
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Feeling Fully Plugged Reach For A Decongestant
In almost all cases of nasal congestion, the main cause of that stuffed up feeling is inflammation, which makes tissues in nasal passageways swell, explains Jonathan Auth, MD, a at CHOC Childrens, a healthcare system based in Orange, California.
Oral and nasal decongestants work by shrinking the swollen blood vessels in the nose and air passages, with nasal decongestants offering the fastest relief. Thats because the medicine goes straight to the site of congestion without going through your body first, so there are fewer side effects than with oral decongestants, explains , department head and professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy.
However, nasal decongestants come with a major drawback: Nasal sprays can be used only for a short time because of the rebound effect, she says.
The rebound effect means the congestion can come back even stronger when the drug is discontinued, so you have to take more of it this can also lead to dependency on the drug. As Michael Seidman, MD, an otolaryngologist in Kissimmee, Florida, puts it, Dont use a nasal decongestant for more than two to three days, or else the nose becomes addicted to it.
An increased heart rate is a possible side effect of decongestant use, so these drugs should be avoided if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or an .
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Who Shouldnt Take Decongestants
Dont take decongestants if you have high blood pressure that isnt controlled. Taking decongestants can raise your blood pressure even if it is controlled or nearly normal. You may need to look for an alternative to decongestants.
Talk to your doctor before using a decongestant if you have any of the following health problems:
- Prostate problems
- Thyroid problems
Dont give decongestants to children younger than 6 years of age. Instead, there are other ways you can treat their symptoms:
- For very young children, use a bulb syringe to remove mucus from their noses.
- Use saline spray or drops to help loosen mucus.
- Use a cool-mist humidifier. Place it in the childs bedroom. The moisture created by the humidifier will help your childs nose and throat not feel so dry.
- Use ibuprofen or acetaminophen to lower a fever. However, always talk to your doctor before giving your child any medicine.
Think You Might Have The Flu Heres What To Doyour Browser Indicates If Youve Visited This Link
Both the flu and COVID-19 are contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. The flu is caused by infection with an influenza virus, while COVID-19 is caused by the novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2. Flu symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms are often similar, including: It can be hard to tell the difference between COVID-19 and the flu without a proper diagnosis. Luckily, there are rapid, point-of-care tests to help diagnose conditions like influenza, strep throat and COVID-19. We offer these simple tests at most MinuteClinic® locations, the retail health clinic
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Nasal Saline Sprays: Non
Nasal saline is an invaluable addition to the list of over-the-counter medications. It is ideal for all types of nasal problems. The added moisture produced by the saline reduces thick secretions and assists in the removal of infectious agents. There is no risk of becoming addicted to nasal saline. It should be applied as a mist to the nose up to six times per day. Nasal saline can also be made at home: contact your otolaryngologist for details.
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Otc Allergy Medication Prices
OTC allergy medication can cost anywhere from about $5 to $25, depending on the formula and the number of pills, sprays, or drops in each container. As a general rule, the more symptoms that an allergy medicine treats, the more expensive it is.
When purchasing allergy medicine, its more important to focus on the price per dose or the daily cost of using the medication rather than the cost of the container. If you only need the medicine occasionally, compare the different types based on the cost per dose. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you will probably want to pay attention to the price per day because you might need to use the medication once or more every day for total relief from symptoms.
Can You Take Sinus Decongestants If You Have High Blood Pressure
Phenylephrine is not considered to be safe if you have high blood pressure. Sinus decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine may actually raise your blood pressure and counteract the blood pressure medication that youre on. If you have high blood pressure, you should speak with your doctor about which decongestant they recommend for you.
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The Best Medicine For Nagging Cough:
Cough suppressants, known as antitussives, inhibit the cough reflex in the brain. The common cough suppressant dextromethorphan can be found alone in products such as Robitussin Cough Gels and CVS Health Tussin Cough Liquid Gels, or in combination with other active ingredients as in Vicks Dayquil Cough and Delsym Adult DM Cough + Chest Congestion Relief Liquid.
Expectorants such as guaifenesin work chiefly by thinning mucus so it is easier to cough up and out.
Antihistamines block histamine, a chemical the body releases that triggers runny nose and watery eyes. Coughs can be caused by postnasal drip a trickle of mucus and other secretions that stimulates nerves in the back of the throat in which case drying up the source with an antihistamine is the best way to treat it, says Dr. Favini. Widely used brands include Benadryl Allergy & Cold and Actifed Cold.
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How Do You Get Rid Of A Sinus Infection Naturally
If youre wondering how you can clear your sinuses without the use of medication, then there are remedies that you can try. As with common colds and infections, you should get plenty of rest and make sure that you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. You can also try to soothe the swelling and open your sinuses by holding a clean and warm flannel over your face. Make sure that you use clean water to dampen the flannel and then hold the flannel over your face for a few minutes you can do this as many times as day as you need.
Inhaling steam can also help to clear your sinuses, although children should not do this as they can be at risk of being scalded by the hot steam.
If you want to intensify the experience you can drape a towel around your head that also covers the edge of the bowl or sink, this will help to trap in the steam.
Another way to fight the infection and ease the congestion is to clean your nose with a solution of salt and water:
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What Is A Sinus Infection
A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis or rhinosinusitis, is a condition where the tissues lining the nasal passages become inflamed. Sinus infections are very common, affecting nearly 30 million people in the U.S. each year, and a large percentage of these infections resolve on their own. Common sinusitis symptoms include nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, and facial pain.
Simply explained, a sinus infection occurs when there is an infection in the sinuses, a connected system of air-filled spaces in the skull. Under normal conditions, mucus drains out so that air can pass through sinus cavities. When fluid builds up in the sinuses, germs grow and an infection can occur.
Sinus infections can cause facial discomfort because of nasal congestion. You may experience a headache, pain behind the eyes, and facial tenderness or swelling. Other sinus infection symptoms are similar to having a bad cold or intense allergies including nasal discharge, postnasal drip, fatigue, sinus pressure, loss of sense of smell, throat irritation, and even a fever.
Typically triggered by allergies or a cold, a sinus infection can take many forms. Acute sinusitis may cause mild symptoms and go away quickly without antibiotics. These cases are often caused by a viral infection like the common cold and do not require anything more than symptomatic treatment for your comfort.