Decongestant also called nasal Decongestant is a kind of drug that particularly relieves the nasal congestion. This medication is most effective at treating the stuffy feeling in the nose during the onset of an illness, especially cold and flu. Decongestants work by shrinking the inflamed and swollen blood vessels and tissues inside the nasal cavities back to their normal size. This enhances the air flow inside the nasal opening and eliminates the difficulties during breathing.

There are total four oral Decongestants that have been given due approval. Phenylpropanolamine is the most popular over the counter medication for relieving cold and cough. Pseudoephedrine is another medication on the same line which can be easily availed without any prescription. Ephedrine is one of the oldest Decongestants, popularly prescribed by various practitioners worldwide. The fourth anti-congestion medicine is Phenylephrine. All the above four medicines are available in form of pill. However, people often prefer taking nasal sprays of Decongestants for immediate relief. These sprays are immensely potent because of the strong concentration of medicines. They are mostly formulated from two medications, oxymetazoline and phenylephrine. These medications should be avoided by heart patients, kidney patients and pregnant women. As precautions, they should never be taken more than their advised dosage as they may have significant side effects on your body.