What Medicine Dries Up Sinuses? A Guide to Relief

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

Diagnosed sinusitis affects approximately 28.9 million adults in the United States, or about 11.6% of the adult population [1.8.1, 1.8.4]. If you're struggling with excess mucus and pressure, knowing what medicine dries up sinuses is the first step toward finding relief.

Quick Summary

Various medications can effectively dry up sinuses by reducing inflammation and mucus production. Options include oral decongestants, antihistamines, corticosteroid nasal sprays, and anticholinergic agents, each targeting different underlying causes.

Key Points

Decongestants: Oral (pseudoephedrine) and nasal spray (oxymetazoline) forms shrink swollen nasal passages for short-term relief [1.3.6].
Antihistamines: Medications like loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are best for drying up sinuses caused by allergies [1.2.5, 1.4.5].
Corticosteroid Nasal Sprays: Sprays such as fluticasone (Flonase) reduce inflammation and are effective for long-term management of chronic sinusitis and allergies [1.5.2].
Avoid Rebound Congestion: Decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for more than three consecutive days to prevent worsening symptoms [1.2.6, 1.3.4].
Identify the Cause: The most effective medication depends on whether your symptoms are from a cold, allergies, or a bacterial infection [1.9.1].
Prescription Options Exist: For a persistent runny nose, a prescription anticholinergic spray like ipratropium can directly reduce mucus production [1.7.1].
Consult a Professional: It is important to speak with a doctor or pharmacist before starting a new medication, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions [1.3.5].

Understanding Sinus Issues: Congestion and Drainage

Sinus problems, broadly termed sinusitis, involve inflammation of the sinus lining [1.9.1]. This inflammation can be triggered by viruses (like the common cold), bacteria, or allergens, leading to symptoms like nasal congestion, facial pressure, and excessive mucus or post-nasal drip [1.9.1, 1.9.5]. The goal of treatment is to reduce this swelling, decrease mucus production, and promote proper drainage. In the U.S., sinusitis accounts for an estimated 22 million physician visits annually [1.8.2]. Differentiating between allergies and a sinus infection is key, as it dictates the most effective treatment. Allergy symptoms often include itchy eyes and clear, thin mucus, whereas sinusitis may involve thick, colored discharge, facial pain, and fever [1.9.1, 1.9.2, 1.9.3].

Oral Decongestants

Oral decongestants work by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages [1.3.6]. This reduces swelling and allows air and mucus to flow more freely [1.3.3]. The two main types available are pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine [1.3.6].

Pseudoephedrine: Often found behind the pharmacy counter, pseudoephedrine (e.g., Sudafed) is generally considered effective for relieving a stuffy nose from a cold, flu, or sinusitis [1.3.3, 1.3.6]. It typically starts to work within 15 to 30 minutes [1.3.3].
Phenylephrine: This is available on general store shelves (e.g., Sudafed PE) and also works to ease stuffiness and sinus pressure [1.3.6].

It is important not to use oral decongestants for more than 7 days, as prolonged use can cause side effects like increased blood pressure, restlessness, and headaches [1.3.3, 1.6.5].

Antihistamines

If allergies are the root cause of your sinus issues, antihistamines are a primary treatment [1.2.3]. They work by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical your body releases during an allergic reaction, thereby reducing sneezing, itching, and mucus production [1.2.5].

First-Generation Antihistamines: Examples like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) are effective but can cause significant drowsiness [1.4.5].
Second-Generation Antihistamines: These are often preferred as they are non-sedating [1.4.3]. Common options include loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and fexofenadine (Allegra) [1.4.4, 1.4.5]. They effectively relieve allergy-related post-nasal drip [1.4.2].

While excellent for allergies, antihistamines may not be as effective for sinus drainage caused by non-allergic factors like the common cold [1.2.6].

Nasal Sprays for Sinus Relief

Nasal sprays deliver medication directly to the inflamed tissues. There are several types, each with a different mechanism.

Decongestant Nasal Sprays: Sprays containing oxymetazoline (Afrin) or phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) provide rapid relief by shrinking swollen nasal tissues [1.3.4, 1.3.6]. However, they should not be used for more than three consecutive days. Overuse can lead to a condition called rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa), where your nasal passages become more congested once the spray wears off [1.3.4, 1.6.5].
Corticosteroid Nasal Sprays: These are a first-line treatment for chronic sinusitis and allergy-related congestion because they reduce inflammation [1.5.2, 1.5.4]. Examples include fluticasone (Flonase), triamcinolone (Nasacort), and budesonide (Rhinocort), many of which are available over-the-counter [1.5.1, 1.5.2]. They don't provide immediate relief but become highly effective with regular, daily use over days or weeks [1.5.2, 1.5.6]. Side effects are generally minor and may include nasal dryness or irritation [1.5.1].
Anticholinergic Nasal Sprays: Ipratropium bromide nasal spray (formerly Atrovent) is a prescription medication specifically used to treat a runny nose (rhinorrhea) by reducing mucus production [1.7.1, 1.7.4]. It is effective for a runny nose caused by both the common cold and allergies but does not relieve nasal congestion or sneezing [1.7.1, 1.7.2].
Saline Nasal Sprays: A simple saline solution helps to moisturize dry nasal passages and flush out mucus and irritants [1.2.4]. It's a natural option that can be used daily without the risk of rebound congestion [1.4.2].

Comparison of Common Sinus Medications


Medication Type	How It Works	Best For	Common Examples	Key Consideration
Oral Decongestants	Narrows blood vessels to reduce swelling [1.3.6]	Stuffy nose from colds, flu, sinusitis	Pseudoephedrine, Phenylephrine [1.3.6]	Short-term use only (3-5 days) [1.2.3]; can raise blood pressure [1.3.5].
Antihistamines	Blocks histamine to reduce allergy symptoms [1.2.5]	Allergy-related runny nose, sneezing, itching	Loratadine (Claritin), Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Fexofenadine (Allegra) [1.4.5]	Second-generation options are non-drowsy [1.4.3].
Corticosteroid Sprays	Reduces inflammation in nasal passages [1.5.4]	Chronic sinusitis, allergy symptoms, nasal polyps	Fluticasone (Flonase), Triamcinolone (Nasacort) [1.5.2]	Requires regular, daily use for full effect; safe for long-term use [1.5.6, 1.6.3].
Decongestant Sprays	Shrinks swollen nasal tissue directly [1.3.5]	Severe, acute congestion	Oxymetazoline (Afrin), Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) [1.3.6]	Do not use for more than 3 days to avoid rebound congestion [1.2.6].
Anticholinergic Sprays	Reduces mucus production in the nose [1.7.1]	Persistent runny nose (rhinorrhea)	Ipratropium Bromide (Rx only) [1.7.3]	Does not relieve stuffiness or sneezing [1.7.1].

Conclusion

Choosing the right medicine to dry up your sinuses depends on the underlying cause of your symptoms. For allergy-driven issues, non-drowsy antihistamines are a great start [1.4.3]. For congestion from a cold, short-term use of an oral or nasal decongestant can provide relief [1.3.3, 1.3.4]. For persistent inflammation and chronic symptoms, corticosteroid nasal sprays are a safe and effective long-term solution [1.6.3]. Always consult a healthcare provider to diagnose the cause of your sinus problems and to ensure the medication you choose is safe for you, especially if you have conditions like high blood pressure or are taking other medicines [1.3.5].

For further reading, consider this resource from the Mayo Clinic on acute sinusitis: Acute sinusitis: Do over-the-counter treatments help? [1.2.4]

Frequently Asked Questions

For sinus drainage caused by allergies, second-generation antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin) or fexofenadine (Allegra) are highly effective [1.4.4]. For drainage with congestion from a cold, a product containing a decongestant like pseudoephedrine may be best [1.3.3].

For the fastest relief from congestion, a decongestant nasal spray like oxymetazoline (Afrin) can work quickly to shrink swollen tissues. However, it should only be used for a maximum of three days [1.3.4, 1.3.5].

Antihistamines primarily help with sinus issues caused by allergies by reducing mucus, sneezing, and runny nose [1.2.3, 1.2.5]. They may not be as effective for congestion from a common cold unless combined with a decongestant.

Rebound congestion is a condition where your nasal passages become even more swollen and congested after overusing decongestant nasal sprays (for more than 3-5 days). The blood vessels stop responding to the medication, leading to dependency and worsening symptoms [1.3.4, 1.6.3].

They serve different purposes. Decongestant sprays offer fast, short-term relief from stuffiness [1.3.5]. Steroid nasal sprays work more slowly to reduce underlying inflammation and are better suited and safer for long-term, daily use for chronic allergies or sinusitis [1.5.2, 1.6.3].

Both are oral decongestants, but pseudoephedrine is generally considered more effective and is sold from behind the pharmacy counter [1.3.3, 1.3.6]. Phenylephrine is available on general store aisles [1.3.6].

Yes, saline nasal sprays are safe for daily use. They help moisturize the nasal passages, thin mucus, and flush out irritants without the risk of side effects associated with medicated sprays [1.2.4, 1.4.2].