# What's your favorite nasal decongestant? (need answer fast) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 14, 2013, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319 "2013-02-14T20:54:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/1 "2013-02-14T20:54:47Z")
As a rule, I don’t deal with nasal congestion. I rarely get sick and I fortunately don’t have allergies. Welp, I have a cold now, and I am NOT COPING. ☹ Barely slept a wink last night despite taking Benadryl (diphenhydramine, as I recall?) because I can’t breathe through my nose. At all. It sucks! I’m getting desperate. So, Benadryl’s out. It may have worked better than taking nothing at all. But, assuming it \*had \*an effect, it sure wasn’t enough. I want something that’s gonna blast at least one nostril fully open for at least a few hours. I’ve never tried nasal sprays, because I’m worried about my nose getting habituated to them and getting stuffier over time. But I’m to a point where I’m willing to try anything. What works best for you? ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/2 "2013-02-14T20:57:20Z")
First of all, Benadryl, being an antihistamine, is not a good nasal decongestant. You should try either pseudoephedrine or a nasal spray such as Afrin. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/3 "2013-02-14T21:05:57Z")
Tissue. (real answer: Sudafed) ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/4 "2013-02-14T21:07:03Z")
Sudafed. The real stuff you have to sign for. It’s the only thing that does anything, and boy howdy, does it work. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/5 "2013-02-14T21:13:25Z")
Thanks! I will try Sudafed and I’ll probably buy an Afrin spray in case it doesn’t work. Hopefully they can tell I’m actually stuffy and not trying to manufacture meth. Does Sudafed keep you up at night? Afrin? ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/6 "2013-02-14T21:17:03Z")
One more vote for Sudafed. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Just\_Ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Ed)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/7 "2013-02-14T21:17:32Z")
> [@USCDiver](#): > > First of all, Benadryl, being an antihistamine, is not a good nasal decongestant. You should try either pseudoephedrine or a nasal spray such as Afrin. Seconded. [Pseudoephedrine](http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-6012-PSEUDOEPHEDRINE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=4908&drugname=pseudoephedrine+HCl+Oral&source=1) has always been the most effective for me; it’s available OTC but disbursement is monitored in many states due to its use in preparing meth, so you might have to go to the pharmacy counter in order to get it (and they’ll usually log your ID). It’s a hassle, but the off-the-shelf replacement ([phenylephrine](http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-21821-phenylephrine+HCl+Oral.aspx?drugid=21821&drugname=phenylephrine+HCl+Oral&source=1)) just doesn’t seem to work as well for me (of course, YMMV). Afrin and other nasal sprays containing [oxymetazoline](http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-9214-DECONGESTANT+SPRAY+-+NASAL.aspx?drugid=1352&drugname=oxymetazoline+Nasl&source=1) can cause rebound congestion with overuse, but can safely be used sparingly (like right before you go to bed). ETA: pseudoephedrine can have a slight stimulant effect, and might interfere with your sleep patterns - but it does work well. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, just someone who has dealt with nasal congestion fairly often. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/8 "2013-02-14T22:26:47Z")
Sudafed. Afrin is ok for short term but try not to use it for more than 3 days. Sudafed can keep you awake, if you use it in conjunction with an antihistamine though, sometimes you’ll find that the drowsy effects of that are enough to let you fall asleep anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/9 "2013-02-14T23:12:54Z")
Thanks for the recommendations… pseudoephedrine or bust! ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/10 "2013-02-15T01:34:13Z")
> [@Just\_Ed](#): > > Seconded. [Pseudoephedrine](http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-6012-PSEUDOEPHEDRINE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=4908&drugname=pseudoephedrine+HCl+Oral&source=1) has always been the most effective for me; it’s available OTC but disbursement is monitored in many states due to its use in preparing meth, so you might have to go to the pharmacy counter in order to get it (and they’ll usually log your ID). It’s a hassle, but the off-the-shelf replacement ([phenylephrine](http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-21821-phenylephrine+HCl+Oral.aspx?drugid=21821&drugname=phenylephrine+HCl+Oral&source=1)) just doesn’t seem to work as well for me (of course, YMMV). [Check your state’s restrictions](http://www.chpa-info.org/printer.aspx?id=159). I can buy pseudoephedrine OTC in my state and merely show ID and sign the required register. Just across the river in Oregon, pseudoephedrine requires a doctor’s prescription. If you can buy the generic. Same potency, just as effective but considerably cheaper than Sudafed. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/11 "2013-02-15T14:25:52Z")
Go to Target and get their 12 hour decongestant (UP brand) - $4.99 for 20 pills. You’ll have to show your drivers license to get it, though. Grab the card off the shelf and bring it to the pharmacy. As someone with sinus problems, I buy it all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/12 "2013-02-15T17:53:35Z")
I got the walgreens store brand of Sudafed. It’s marvelous stuff! I can breathe out of my nose, although I still sound like a foghorn for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/13 "2013-02-15T18:14:34Z")
Hmm I used to have blocked nose and used oxymetazoline. It worked very well. Then I tried Flixonase (Fluticasone propionate), and now I don’t get blocked nose anymore. Not sure if I outgrew it, or did the drug have any long-term effect? It’s not supposed to make any permanent changes, is it? ---
**Author:** ![XRaeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/f14d63/32.png) [@XRaeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XRaeth)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/14 "2013-02-15T18:28:39Z")
I use nasonex (nasal spray) and it has always worked fine for me. I would caution you on using sudafed. While it will likely work extremely well as a decongestant, it is some powerful stuff. I would not recommend taking it for extended periods of time (although IANAD). The few times I have taken it I was completely unable to sleep, and my mental status during the day was abnormal enough to prevent me from being particularly productive. It was not an enjoyable experience for me (YMMV). It might be worth a try for sure though, as it is an excellent decongestant. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/15 "2013-02-15T19:19:48Z")
After using Afrin before I lost my sense of smell and taste (which was horrible) for about 6 months, so I’ll never use it again. I do use 4 Way now when it’s really bad, but try and limit it to just a shot or two. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/16 "2013-02-15T21:50:02Z")
Saline. Works well. No side effects. If it’s really bad, I take Nyquil. Then I can sleep and forget about the congestion. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-nasal-decongestant-need-answer-fast/650319/17 "2013-02-15T22:20:33Z")
Mucinex Full Force. Accept no substitutes. It costs a little more…