These 12 Doctor-Recommended OTC Sinus Medications Will Clear a Stuffy Nose, Fast

Buttarazzi recommends Afrin No Drip Original as her top choice for decongestant nasal sprays because it works fast to open nasal passages. Also, the “No Drip” formula stays where you need it, instead of running down your throat. Plus, “the spray bottle design gives a controlled, targeted mist for quick, effective relief,” she says. The spray is also available from a number of retailers, so you can shop around for the best price.

One downside of this product is that it shouldn’t be used for more than three days at a time. Using it longer than that could cause your nasal congestion to come back or get worse. Also, according to the manufacturer, you should check with a doctor before using this product if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, or trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate. Finally, this product contains alcohol, which could irritate sensitive noses. Afrin Original, without the “no-drip,” is alcohol-free.

Gosnell says that this product has a strong safety profile and is generally well-tolerated by her patients. It’s also drug-free, stimulant-free, and non-drowsy, making it a good choice for anyone looking to avoid these ingredients or side effects.

A downside of this product is that there's limited research on its safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it’s not recommended for people in the midst of either.

“Arm and Hammer Simply Saline is my top pick for its pure, simple ingredients — just salt, water, and baking soda,” says Buttarazzi. “So it’s gentle and free of preservatives or scents that can irritate sensitive noses.” Plus, since it’s drug-free, you can use it as often as you need, as well as along with other allergy and cold medications.

“The fine mist delivers a soft, even spray that won’t drip down your throat,” Buttarazzi says. “It’s easy on your wallet, too.” Often found for under $10 per bottle, this product is one of the most affordable OTC sinus-relief products on our list. We also appreciate its non-drip formula, as product dripping down the throat is a common issue with nasal-mist products.

It’s worth noting that this saline spray is only recommended for adults. But Arm & Hammer also makes Simply Saline Nasal Mist products for babies and children. Some reviewers say that the nozzle design can be hard to use and may dispense the mist too forcefully.

Buttarazzi recommends Flonase Sensimist as the best steroid nasal spray because it’s powerful yet gentle. “It’s alcohol- and scent-free, which makes it ideal for anyone prone to irritation or nosebleeds,” she says.

What’s more, the ultra-light mist helps prevent unpleasant throat drip, says Buttarazzi. Still, our research found that the mist is so light, it could easily be missed by some. Also, the sprayer occasionally doesn’t work right, so keep an eye out for that. 

“Little Remedies Saline Spray is a natural and safe choice to help clear your baby’s nasal passages when they're clogged with mucus,” says Dr. Gosnell. For babies, she recommends using the saline as drops and then suctioning the nose to clear out the mucus. Then, use more drops of saline to help your baby clear the mucus you weren’t able to suction out.

We love this product for kids because it’s drug- and alcohol-free, making it safe for prolonged use for newborns and kids of all ages. Plus, it’s extremely affordable.

“Zyrtec is an antihistamine proven to effectively reduce nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itching of the eyes, nose, and throat caused by allergies,” says Gosnell. We appreciate that, unlike other antihistamines, which often take several hours to start working, Zyrtec can start working within just one hour. And it offers 24-hour relief of multiple allergy symptoms and addresses 200+ allergens.

However, while it doesn’t have the sedating effects of many other antihistamines, it may still cause drowsiness, especially if combined with sedatives, tranquilizers, or alcohol. If you’ve never used this medication before, try using it at home. Don’t drive until you’ve found out if it makes you drowsy.

“Sudafed Sinus Congestion is a classic for a reason, as it contains only pseudoephedrine, the most effective oral decongestant available,” says Buttarazzi.

We appreciate that this medication offers 12-hour, non-drowsy relief from sinus headaches, thereby reducing its impact on daily activities. However, one downside of this product is that because it contains pseudoephedrine, it's kept behind the pharmacy counter and cannot be ordered online. Still, it can be purchased at many chain drug stores by simply asking the pharmacist.

“The Naväge Baby Micro-Mist Inhaler is a good choice for babies, because its saline mist can provide mild relief from nasal congestion related to viral infections without causing discomfort,” says Gosnell. She adds that it’s safe, easy to use, and noninvasive, so it won't upset your little one.

Another benefit of this product is that it comes with a plastic mask, which may be easier for some to use compared with a traditional nasal spray. Plus, since it’s drug-free and only contains sterile saline, it’s safe to use every day — perfect for lingering colds. Still, a downside of this product is that you can’t buy it without the plastic mask, which will eventually end up as plastic waste. The good news is that the mask and nozzle are dishwasher-safe, so you can keep using them for lingering colds without them re-depositing more germs onto baby’s nose and mouth.

While our research found that the mask is well-designed overall, it is a “one-size-fits-most” product, so it may not have a snug fit for some.

Buttarazzi often recommends steroid nasal sprays because they treat inflammation right at the source (in your nose) without causing the systemic side effects of pills, such as drowsiness.

We chose Glenmark Therapeutics Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray as the best budget sinus medication because it contains the same active ingredient as name-brand products and provides 24-hour relief at an affordable price. You can get a two-pack for under $15 per ounce, or about 6 cents per spray.

One downside of this product is that it contains phenylethyl alcohol, which could irritate sensitive noses. Still, it’s a solid, affordable, and effective option. As a steroid, this is another medication that could potentially slow the growth rate of kids ages 4–11, so they should only take one spray per nostril per day, and use it for the shortest time possible.