Available Sinus Infection Medication Treatments Article

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Available Sinus Infection Medication Treatments

There are a number of over-the-counter medications available for the treatment of sinusitis symptoms, as well as prescription medications that are available through your otolaryngologist.

Author: Jillian Phillips

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Over-the-Counter (OTC) Sinus Infection Medication
Medicines that relieve the symptoms of stuffy nose, sinus trouble, congestion, and the common cold are the largest segment of the over-the-counter market for America's pharmaceutical industry. They provide relief for some of the discomforts that affect almost everyone occasionally. These drugs do not cure the allergies, infections, etc.; they only relieve the symptoms, thereby making the patient more comfortable.

*Cold Remedies - decongestants and/or antihistamines are the principal ingredients in "cold" remedies, but drying agents, aspirin and cough suppressants may also be added.

*Nose Sprays - the types of nose sprays that can be purchased without a prescription usually contain decongestants for direct application to nasal membranes. They can give prompt relief from congestion by constricting blood vessels. However, direct application creates a stronger stimulation than decongestants taken by mouth. It also impairs the circulation in the nose, which after a few hours stimulates the vessels to expand to improve the blood flow again. This results in a "bounce-back" effect. The congestion recurs.

Prescription Medication
Most patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute sinusitis caused by a bacterial infection usually improve without antibiotic treatment. Consequently, the ENT specialist will initially prescribe pain-relievers, fever reducers, and decongestants as the initial course of treatment. If your symptoms persist, however, one of the treatment options below may be recommended.

*Antibiotics - there are two groupings of antibiotics. Narrow-spectrum antibiotics are drugs that work against only a few types of bacteria. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are drugs that attack a wide range of bacteria. The broad-spectrum antibiotics are generally more effective, but are more likely to promote antibiotic resistance. For that reason, your otolaryngologist will most likely prescribe narrow-spectrum antibiotics, which often cost less. He/she may recommend broad-spectrum antibiotics for infections that do not respond to treatment with narrow-spectrum drugs.

*Leukotrinenes - are anti-inflammatory prescription drugs used to prevent inflammation in the airway and sinus cavities. They can be very helpful in treating asthmatic patients with sinus disease and/or polyps. Side effects may include headache; upset stomach; skin rash; and bleeding, crusting, or dryness of the nasal passages.

*Mucolytics – Mucolytics that destroy or dissolve mucus are used to treat sinus and lung conditions that involve excessive mucus and serious breathing problems. These medicines come in tablet form or as a liquid that is inhaled as a fine mist through a nebulizer. Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic that liquefies or dissolves mucus so that it may be coughed up. Administered in high doses, prescription mucolytics thin secretions and allow for easier drainage. Once thinned, the mucus is usually expelled through coughing, but sometimes it must be removed by suction.

*Steroids - Corticosteroid medications have been used for more than 50 years to treat asthma and allergic reactions. When used properly and under a doctor's supervision, they are among the safest and most effective therapies for inflammation of the sinuses.

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