What's up with nasal sprays?
There are so many nasal allergy sprays available -some with prescription and some over the counter. So which one is right for you?
Nasal sprays work well because they are sprayed directly in the nose and targets nasal allergy symptoms. This means there are decreased systemic side-effects. Listed below are some of the more common sprays and how they work.
Nasal Steroid Sprays
Commercials for this type of allergy nasal spray can be seen several times a day on television and is usually the first-line therapies for allergy nasal symptoms. Nasal steroids work because it decreases inflammation and swollen nasal tissue in the nasal passages. They offer relief from nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. Over the last decade, many of the brands became available over the counter. It is important to use the spray daily or twice daily for a few weeks. It takes that long for the steroid to work and many times people will only try them for a week or less and decide that the spray is not working for them. You must use them on a regular basis..
Generic: Budesonide, Ciclesonide, Fluticasone, Flunisolide, Memetasone, Triamcinolone
Brand: Rhinocort, Omnaris, Zetonna, Flonase, Nasonex, Nasacort, Xhance, Beconase, Nasarel, Qnasl, Vancenase, Veramystm, Zetonna
Nasal Antihistamine Sprays
These sprays are similar to oral antihistamines by blocking histamine. If you have a constant runny nose, this might be the one for you. A common complaint is a bitter taste after administration.
Generic: Azelastine, olopatadine
Brand: Astelin, Astepro, Patanase
Combination Nasal Steroid and Antihistamine Sprays
This type of spray is only available by prescription. It contains both a nasal steroid and an antihistamine.
Brand: Dymista
Nasal Anticholinergic Spray
Anticholinergic sprays are good for treating runny noses in patients with allergic rhinitis or nonallergic rhinitis. It works by blocking acetylcholine which in turn decreases secretions in the glands of the nasal passageway.
Generic: Ipratropium Bromide
Brand: Atrovent
Nasal Cromolyn Sodium Spray
This type of spray helps with congestion, sneezing and a runny nose in patients with allergies by inhibiting mast cells. The most common side effect is nasal burning and bad taste.
Generic: Cromolyn Nasal
Brand: Nasalcrom
Nasal Decongestant Sprays
Be sure to read the following information carefully. This type of spray provides temporary relief of nasal congestion. It works by reducing swelling of the nasal passageway. It is available over the counter but should be used ONLY FOR 3 DAYS during a cold or a bad allergy episode. If they are used for longer periods of time, the nasal tissue becomes “addicted” to the spray and you will develop a rebound nasal congestion called Rhinitis Medicamentosa.
Generic: Oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, xylometazoline, naphazoline, neo-synephrine
Brand: Afrin, Sinex, Dristan, Zicam
Nasal Saline Spray
These sprays only contain saline. You are allowed to use them as much and as often as you like. It is mostly to keep the nose moist but unlikely to help with congestion. Saline sprays is typically very helpful in patients with nosebleeds from nasal dryness.
Generic: nasal saline spray
Brand: Simply Saline, Xlear, A&H, Ayr
Nasal Irrigations
Sterile water that is mixed with salt and sometimes baking soda is flushed into the nasal passageway. The purpose is to rinse out mucous from the nose. These should be done before any of the mediated nasal sprays. It has few to no side-effects. Water from the tap should not be used as it has not been filtered properly. Distilled water that you get from grocery stores and pharmacies can also be used. Many brands are available over the counter and come with salt packets and a method of flushing the solution whether it is a bottle or syringe.
Generic: Bulb syringe
Brand: Nettipot, Neimed, Ayr