Decongestants

Key points about decongestants

  • Decongestants are used for the temporary relief of a stuffy or blocked nose or sinus congestion.
  • Decongestants are available as nasal sprays or as tablets or capsules.
  • Find out how to take them safely and possible side effects.
cold or flu
Print this page

Decongestants help to unblock a stuffy or blocked nose or congested sinuses. They work by narrowing blood vessels in your nose, throat and sinuses. Decongestants are available as nasal sprays and drops or as tablets and capsules.


Nasal decongestants (nasal sprays or drops)

Nasal decongestants are sprayed or dropped into your nose. They're used for the short-term relief of stuffiness or congestion of your nostrils that may be caused by the common cold, sinusitis, allergies or hay fever. Common examples of nasal decongestants include oxymetazoline (Sudafed® nasal spray) and xylometazoline (Otrivin® nasal spray).

  • Nasal decongestants clear a blocked nose almost immediately.
  • They must be used for a short time only, usually only for 3 days (check the product packaging). If you use them for longer, they can cause rebound congestion of your nose and a painful or bleeding nose.

NOTE: Other examples of nasal products that can ease congestion are saline nasal sprays or drops and ipratropium nasal spray. Read more about how to use nose drops and sprays


Decongestant tablets and capsules

Phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are the decongestants commonly found in tablets and capsules.

  • They may be used alone or in combination with other ingredients in cold, flu, cough or sinus relief medicines.
  • Decongestant tablets and capsules can cause increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, restlessness and sleep problems (insomnia). They are best used for a short time (a few days). Using them for longer than this could cause side effects.
  • Examples of decongestant tablets and capsules include Codral Cold and Flu®, Codral Day and Night®, Maxiclear Sinus Relief®, Sudafed PE®, Sudafed Sinus and Nasal Decongestant®, Maxiclear Cold and Nasal Relief® and Lemsip Max Cold and Flu®.

Decongestants aren't suitable for everyone. You should ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you have:


Children

Intranasal decongestants (containing oxymetazoline and xylometazoline) and other medicines for coughs and colds shouldn't be used for children aged less than 6 years of age. 

Like all medicines, nasal decongestants can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Side effects What should I do?
  • Burning, and stinging of your nostrils
  • Sneezing
  • These are quite common when you first use a nasal spray or nasal drops.
  • Tell your doctor if this bothers you.
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Shaking tremors
  • Trouble sleeping 
  • Tell your doctor if they bother you.
  • Signs of rebound nasal congestion, eg, painful nostrils, increased or worsening runny nose, redness in your nostrils or bleeding nose.
  • Stop using the spray or drops.
  • Tell your doctor immediately.

Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect

Brochures

Medicines and side effects
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2024

5 questions to ask about your medications

5 questions to ask about your medications

Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English, te reo Māori

Free helplines

Healthline logo

Text 1737 Helpline logo

Logo with link to Māori Pharmacists website

Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

Reviewed by: Angela Lambie, Pharmacist, Auckland

Last reviewed:

Page last updated: