Question

can nasal decongestants combined with other drugs cause any side effects? if so what are they and how?

Answer 1

Nasal decongestants contain phenylephrine which is decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in nasal cavity. It is mainly used in treatment of common cold, allergic rhinitis and is also used to drain fluid from inner ears , eustachian tube.

• Do not take nasal decongestants if you are allergic to phenylephrine.
• Do not combine nasal decongestants with other drugs such as drugs containing linezolid, procarbazine,isocarboxazid, rasagiline, furazolidone. Combining these drugs with nasal decongestants can lead to potential life threatening complications.
• If you are suffering from renal disease, diabetes, arrhythmias, heart related disorders, glaucoma, anxiety, mental illness such as bipolar disorder you should inform your doctor before prescription of nasal decongestants.
• Do not combine smoking along with nasal decongestants as smoking is stimulant .
• Also, avoid consumption of alcohol intake as it may worsen the sedative effect.  
• It's always good to keep all the medications out of reach of children.

Overdoseage of nasal decongestants or use of nasal decongestants along with the drugs mentioned above can cause -

Restlessness

Dizziness

Sweating

Hallucinations

Irregular heart rate

Fainting

Shallow breathing

Tremors

Less urine output.

All these are serious side effects which need to be addressed soon to prevent complications.

Decongestants are related to adrenaline which is our body's natural decongestants as well as stimulant and that is a reason when it is combined with other medications with stimulant effects it causes serious side effects.  

Thank you.