Topical decongestants are decongestants applied directly to the nasal cavity. Their effectiveness by themselves in the common cold appears to have a small benefit in adults. [1]
Topical decongestants should only be used by patients for a maximum of 5–7 days in a row, because rebound congestion may occur in the form of rhinitis medicamentosa. When used in adults for a short period of time side effects appear to be few. [1]
Mechanism of action
Topical decongestants are vasoconstrictors, and work by constricting the blood vessels within the nasal cavity.
Examples
- Ephedrine
- Levomethamphetamine
- Naphazoline
- Oxymetazoline
- Phenylephrine
- Propylhexedrine
- Pseudoephedrine
- Tramazoline
- Xylometazoline
See also
References
- ^ a b Deckx, L; De Sutter, AI; Guo, L; Mir, NA; van Driel, ML (17 October 2016). "Nasal decongestants in monotherapy for the common cold". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 10: CD009612. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009612.pub2. PMC 6461189. PMID 27748955.
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