Decongestant

A decongestant or nasal decongestant is a type of pharmaceutical drug that is used to relieve nasal congestion in the upper respiratory tract. The active ingredient in most decongestants is either pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine.

Pharmacology

The vast majority of decongestants act via enhancing norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline) or adrenergic activity by stimulating the α-adrenergic receptors. This induces vasoconstriction of the blood vessels in the nose, throat, and paranasal sinuses, which results in reduced inflammation (swelling) and mucus formation in these areas.

Decongestant nasal sprays and eye drops often contain oxymetazoline and are used for topical decongestion. Pseudoephedrine acts indirectly on the adrenergic receptor system, whereas phenylephrine and oxymetazoline are direct agonists. The effects are not limited to the nose, and these medicines may cause hypertension (high blood pressure) through vasoconstriction. But most decongestants are not pronounced stimulants due to lack of response from the other adrenoreceptors. Besides hypertension, common side-effects include sleeplessness, anxiety, dizziness, excitability, and nervousness.

Topical nasal or ophthalmic decongestants quickly develop tachyphylaxis (a rapid decrease in the response to a drug after repeated doses over a short period of time). Long-term use is not recommended, since these agents lose effectiveness after a few days.

Lists

Common decongestants include:

• Ephedrine
• Levo-methamphetamine
• Naphazoline
• Oxymetazoline
• Phenylephrine
• Phenylpropanolamine
• Propylhexedrine
• Synephrine
• Tetrahydrozoline
• Xylometazoline
• Pseudoephedrine -- controlled in some jurisdictions for over the counter use

Decongestants that are uncommon or discontinued include:

• Cafaminol
• Cyclopentamine
• Epinephrine
• Fenoxazoline
• Levonordefrin
• Mephentermine
• Metizoline
• Norepinephrine
• Tramazoline
• Tuaminoheptane
• Tymazoline

See also

• Expectorants
• Nasal congestion
• Pseudoephedrine/loratadine
• Topical decongestant