
People can use it once or twice a day, and the usual adult dose is 1 or 2 sprays into each nostril. The following steroid nasal sprays have FDA approval for OTC use:Ī person must use fluticasone nasal spray regularly for it to work. However, OTC nasal sprays may help and cause fewer side effects. Steroids decrease inflammation in the nasal passages that may contribute to postnasal drip.ĭoctors do not commonly prescribe oral steroids for treating postnasal drip due to potential side effects. Possible side effectsĬommon side effects from decongestants include:Ī person should discuss any of the above side effects or other concerns with a doctor. People with heart conditions, including high blood pressure, should not use decongestants unless directed to do so by a medical professional. Precautionsĭecongestants containing pseudoephedrine stimulate certain receptors in the central nervous system that increase blood pressure. People can speak with a pediatrician to determine the most suitable treatment for a child with postnasal drip issues.

It also states that people should be cautious when giving them to children over 2 years old. The FDA does not recommend parents or caregivers give decongestants to children under 2 years old. If pseudoephedrine is the active ingredient in a decongestant, the standard dosage for adults is one 60 mg tablet up to four times daily. For this reason, pharmacies may keep products containing this ingredient behind the counter. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed restrictions on pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in many decongestants, because people can convert it to methamphetamine. People experiencing these side effects should seek medical advice for their symptoms.ĭecongestants decrease swelling in the nose, which may ease symptoms associated with postnasal drip, such as a runny nose. Possible side effects of antihistamines include: Possible side effectsĪlthough second-generation antihistamines are safer than older medications, side effects may still occur. People should inform their doctor if they are taking other medications to check whether these will interact with antihistamines. Research from 2019 found that second-generation antihistamines are safer and work more effectively than first-generation antihistamines. However, second-generation antihistamines are nonsedating. Older or first-generation versions of antihistamines often cause side effects, such as sedation. The usual adult dose is 10 mg once a day.Ī person should check the packaging for each medication and confirm with a doctor whether they are suitable for children.

The typical adult dose of Benadryl is 25–50 milligrams (mg) three or four times daily as needed.Ĭlaritin comes as a 10 mg tablet and a liquid (1 mg per milliliter). The exact dose depends on the form of the medication. Second and third-generation antihistamines include: chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), also available OTC.diphenhydramine (Benadryl), also available over the counter (OTC).Prescription first-generation oral antihistamines include: We discuss the best medications for postnasal drip in more detail below.Īntihistamines act on the histamine receptors, which often cause typical allergy symptoms, such as excess mucus production and postnasal drip.

This reduces the risk of systemic or body-wide side effects compared with oral medications. These medications also come in different forms, including:Īccording to research from 2019, topical medications, such as a nasal spray, allow people to apply a higher concentration of medication directly to the receptor site.
