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Decongestants reduce congestion and are regularly prescribed along with antihistamines. They come in nasal spray, eye drop, liquid or pill form. Pills and liquid decongestants may be taken longer safely. Nasal spray and eye drop decongestants can be used for only a few days, since long-term use can actually make symptoms worse.
Some popular decongestants include Sudafed tablets or liquid, Neo-Synephrine and Afrin nasal sprays, and Visine eye drops.
Prescription decongestants include drugs like Claritin-D, Allegra-D and Zytec-D that combine a decongestant with another allergy medicine.
How Do Decongestants Work?
In the duration of an allergic reaction, tissues in your nasal passage enlarge in reaction to contact with the allergen. That inflammation produces runny and mucous. Blood vessels in the eyes also puff up, leading to redness. Decongestants reduce in size the inflamed nasal tissues and blood vessels to ease the symptoms of nasal swelling, congestion, mucous secretion and redness.
What Are the Side Effects of Decongestants?
Decongestants may raise blood pressure, so they are not suggested for people who have blood pressure troubles or glaucoma. They are also known to cause insomnia or touchiness and hamper urinary flow.
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