There are several types of medication that can help with congestion, including:

• 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, Rhinall, Sinex). They also come as pills, such as phenylephrine (Sudafed PE and others) and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).

• Antihistamines: If allergies are behind your nasal congestion and sinus pressure, controlling them will ease your symptoms. Look for allergy medications that have an antihistamine to relieve sniffling and sneezing along with a decongestant for congestion and sinus pressure.

• Steroid nasal spray: These sprays help reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and can be used for both short-term and long-term relief of congestion.

• Menthol: Medicated ointments that have menthol or camphor in them can help you breathe better. You can rub them on your chest or upper lip. You can also buy types that you place in warm water and breathe in the vapor, which helps open up your airways.

• Pain relievers: Although they won’t clear up congestion, pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen can ease the pain caused by sinus pressure.

Its important to note that decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for longer than three days, as using them longer can actually make your nose more stopped up when you stop them. Additionally, people with certain medical conditions, such as glaucoma, high blood pressure, heart conditions, thyroid problems, enlarged prostate, or diabetes, should talk to their doctor before taking decongestants.