Action of Decongestant

 

The Decongestant drugs - Drugs used to relieve nasal congestion, commonly in people who have upper respiratory tract infections. The drugs are thought to work by narrowing the blood vessels in the membranes lining the nose.

This action reduces swelling, inflammation, and the amount of mucus that is produced by the nasal lining. Common decongestants include ephedrine, oxymetazoline, and phenylephrine. Small amounts of these drugs are found in many over-the-counter cold remedies.

There is little objective evidence that decongestants effectively relieve respiratory disorders. Taken by mouth, they may cause tremor and palpitations, and, taken for longer than five days, they become ineffective; if they are stopped at this stage, symptoms may be worse than at the start of treatment. Therefore, they should not be used continuously for more than five days without medical advice.

Decongestants may be unsuitable for people with certain medical conditions and must be avoided in people taking MAOIs.