I have acute sinusitis, and my doctor doesn't think I need antibiotics. Are there nonprescription medications that can help relieve symptoms?Answer From James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D. Show
Yes. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and decongestants may help relieve facial pain and sinus congestion associated with acute sinusitis. OTC medications that may help include:
Always use OTC products as directed. When in doubt, check with your doctor to find out what's safe. Other home remedies you may want to try:
Most people with acute sinusitis get better without antibiotics. However, if your symptoms are severe or last longer than a few days, talk to your doctor. Sign up for free,
and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health
information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Jan. 20, 2022
See more Expert Answers See also
. How long does it take Advil sinus congestion to work?How long does it take for Advil Respiratory Products to work? It varies among people but most will feel an effect within one hour.
Is Tylenol or Advil better for congestion?Ibuprofen (a pain reliever) is more effective than acetaminophen at lowering fever and relieving sinus pain.
Which is better Sudafed or Advil sinus?Advil Cold And Sinus (Ibuprofen / Pseudoephedrine) is a good combination medicine to relieve pain and congestion, but it's more medicine than you need if you only have one symptom. Clears your sinuses. Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) relieves stuffy nose, but it could keep you up at night.
What is best for sinus pressure and congestion?Decongestants. These medicines help reduce the swelling in your nasal passages and ease the stuffiness and sinus pressure. They come as nasal sprays, like naphazoline (Privine), oxymetazoline (Afrin, Dristan, Nostrilla, Vicks Sinus Nasal Spray), or phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, Sinex, Rhinall).
|