Over the Counter Sinus Infection Treatment

Prescription drugs are not always necessary when treating a sinus infection. In fact, most sinus infections clear up on their own within 7 to 10 days. For this reason, many people are interested in over-the-counter (OTC) products that can help relieve their sinusitis symptoms while their body fights the infection.

Over-the-counter treatments used for sinus infections may include:

Nasal sprays to reduce congestion
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®), naproxen (Aleve^®), or acetaminophen (Tylenol^®), for pain relief and/or fever.

Decongestants taken by mouth can also help with congestion. This includes over-the-counter medicines such as phenylephrine hydrochloride (Sudafed PE^®) and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (Sudafed^®).

Nasal irrigation (rinsing the nose with saltwater) can also reduce inflammation and provide comfort. A variety of devices can be used for this purpose, including bulb syringes, bottle sprayers, and Neti pots. Nasal irrigation kits are available without a prescription. The saline mix itself can also be purchased, or you can make your own solution.

(Click Sinusitis (Sinus Infection) Treatment to learn more about over-the-counter treatments for sinus infections. This article also takes an in-depth look at home remedies, prescription drugs, and other options for sinusitis.)

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

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