3 Best Decongestants

Allergy decongestants are often the go-to solution for stuffy or runny noses due to allergies. Decongestants can also help to reduce post-nasal drip, and this can then reduce sore throats associated with allergies. While there are plenty of options available for decongestants, not all allergy decongestants are created equal. Below are three of the best solutions you can buy over the counter.

1. Sudafed

Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) is one of the best decongestants because it works fast and lasts a long time. Although pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in Sudafed, can cause jitters in some people, these are usually mild if they occur at all. For most allergy sufferers, Sudafed can be taken during the day, but a nighttime formula might be better in the evening. You should also talk with your doctor about Sudafed before taking it because it has the potential to raise your blood pressure. This can be dangerous for people who already experience hypertension.

2. NyQuil

NyQuil (doxylamine) is available as a liquid caplet or as a drinkable liquid. This decongestant contains an additional medication that helps you sleep, and sleep is important when dealing with an illness or allergies. The active ingredient in NyQuil, doxylamine, is an antihistamine, so it helps to relieve other allergy symptoms by blocking the body’s response to allergens in the air. NyQuil is also available as DayQuil, a daytime version of NyQuil that does not contain a sleep aid.

3. Mucinex

Mucinex (guaifenesin) uses an expectorant medication to reduce nasal and chest congestion. Mucinex is available as a tablet, but you can also buy Mucinex dissolvable tabs. These can be placed underneath your tongue where they dissolve into a tasteless liquid.

Mucinex is unique in its action since Mucinex tablets are bi-layer. The first layer dissolves quickly to provide fast-acting relief for congestion. The second layer dissolves over 12 hours to continue providing decongestant relief all day.

Mucinex DM is another formulation of this decongestant that contains dextromethorphan. Also known as DXM, dextromethorphan acts as a cough suppressant to help allergy sufferers who experience throat irritation as a result of post-nasal drip.

Read a similar article about seasonal allergies in Texas here at this page.