### science | medicine:

Decongestant
* Many decongestants contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, a cousin to adrenalin.
* Most decongestants are chemical relatives of adrenaline.
* act to constrict the blood vessels to provide relief.
* add to the effect of antihistamines by reducing swelling of the nasal passages.
* also help alleviate the symptoms of bronchitis
  - increase blood pressure
* are available as pills, liquids, nasal sprays or drops
  - nose sprays or drops
  - drugs that can help re-establish drainage of the nasal passages
  - safer if used for short periods of time
* can aggravate high blood pressure, heart, and thyroid disease.
* can also help to reduce stuffiness and shrink swollen mucus membranes
  - shrink swollen membranes and reduce stuffiness
  - be helpful such as pseudoephedrine or phenolpropanolamine
* can cause hyperactivity and irritability
  - nervousness, sleeplessness or elevation in blood pressure
  - dry up mucus in the chest, head, and nose
  - give short-term relief from nasal stuffiness
* can help reduce the swelling in the eustachian tube and relieve ear pressure
  - relieve sinus congestion, and help overcome the symptoms of a common cold
  - to clear the nose and sinuses
  - with nasal symptoms
  - potentially increase the heart rate of both mother and child
  - raise blood pressure and increase the heart rate
  - relieve stuffiness from head congestion
* cause the blood vessels to narrow, thus, leading to the clearing of nasal congestion.
* clear up redness and nasal congestion.
* come either topically as in nasal sprays or in liquid or pill form.
* come in a variety of forms some associated with antihistamines and some alone
  - many different forms
  - pills, liquids, and nasal sprays under many brand names
  - the form of oral medication, nose drops and nasal sprays
* constrict the blood vessels, put air through the nose, and alleviate pressure.
* decrease swelling in the nose.
* have a limited role in the treatment of geriatric rhinitis.
* help by shrinking the swollen nasal tissues so as to open the breathing passages
  - clear the infection by draining the infected sinsuses
  - reduce swelled sinus passages, but they can also can lead to severe xerostomia
  - temporarily relieve the stuffy nose of allergies
  - to relieve runny nose, congestion and sinus headaches
  - unclog nasal passages and clear congestion
* is medicine
* lessen congestion which prevents drainage, making bacterial infection more likely.
* offer relief of nasal and sinus congestion by narrowing blood vessels.
* often have a stimulant effect.
* open the ostia through which the mucus drains.
* reduce nasal blockage by narrowing blood vessels
  - congestion by constricting blood vessels
  - swelling of congested tissues
* relieve congestion by thinning the mucous so it can drain away
  - congestion, promote sinus draining and improve breathing
* shrink congested nasal tissues.
* shrink swollen membranes in the nose, making it easier to breath
* temporarily raise the blood pressure and make extra work for the heart.
* treat nasal congestion
* work by narrowing blood vessels
  - the blood vessels in the membranes that line the nose

### science | medicine | decongestant:

Oral decongestant
* can also help clear a stuffy nose.
* can cause an increase in blood pressure
  - restlessness and irritability, as can asthma medicines
* shrink the nasal passages and reduce congestion.

Phenylephrine
* are drugs.
* causes hypertension as a relatively common side effect.
* is an agent
* works by reducing the swelling of blood vessels in the nasal passages.