Therapy	Common adverse effects	Comments
Oral decongestants
Phenylephrine	Palpitations, transient hypertension, headache, dizziness, tremor, insomnia, gastric irritation; urinary retention may occur in patients with prostatic hypertrophy	Available over the counter
Pseudoephedrine		Available behind the counter in most states
Topical decongestants
Naphazoline 0.05%	Burning, stinging, dryness, and irritation of the nasal mucosa; sneezing; rebound congestion	Available over the counter
Oxymetazoline 0.05% (Afrin)
Phenylephrine 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%
Intranasal corticosteroids
Beclomethasone (Beconase AQ)	Epistaxis, pharyngitis, bronchospasm, coughing, nasal irritation; systemic absorption at recommended doses is minimal	Not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in patients with sinusitis
Budesonide (Rhinocort)
Ciclesonide (Omnaris)
Flunisolide
Fluticasone furoate (Veramyst)
Fluticasone propionate (Flonase)
Mometasone (Nasonex)
Triamcinolone (Nasacort AQ)
Saline nasal irrigation
Gravity-flow method using a vessel with a nasal spout (neti pot)	Ear fullness, stinging of the nasal mucosa, epistaxis (rare)	Available over the counter
Low-pressure method using a spray or squeeze bottle