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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 (the latter of which has disputed efficacy).

Topical decongestants on topical application as dilute solution (0.05–0.1%) produce local vasoconstriction.

Regular use of decongestants for long periods should be avoided because mucosal ciliary function is impaired: atrophic rhinitis and anosmia can occur due to persistent vasoconstriction.

Decongestants can be absorbed from the nose via an inhaler and produce systemic effects, mainly central nervous system stimulation and rise in blood pressure. These drugs should be used cautiously in hypertensives and in those receiving Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Expectorants such as guaifenesin are a related type of drug which help to clear mucus.

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; it is for this reason that people with hypertension are advised to avoid them. Most decongestants, however, 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.

List of agents

Adrenaline releasing agents

Common or widely marketed

• Ephedrine – controlled in some jurisdictions for over-the-counter use
• Levomethamphetamine (levmetamfetamine) (Vicks VapoInhaler)
• Phenylpropanolamine
• Propylhexedrine (Benzedrex)
• Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) – controlled in some jurisdictions for over-the-counter use
  • Pseudoephedrine/loratadine (Claritin-D) – also an antihistamine via loratadine

Uncommon or discontinued

• Cyclopentamine
• Mephentermine
• Methylhexanamine
• Tuaminoheptane

α-Adrenergic receptor agonists

Common or widely marketed

• Naphazoline
• Oxymetazoline
• Phenylephrine
• Synephrine
• Tetryzoline
• Tramazoline
• Xylometazoline

Uncommon or discontinued

• Corbadrine (levonordefrin)
• Epinephrine (adrenaline)
• Fenoxazoline
• Metizoline
• Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
• Tymazoline

Miscellaneous

Common or widely marketed

• Saline (water and sodium chloride solution)

Uncommon or discontinued

• Cafaminol

See also

• Nasal spray

References

• Decongestants