Over-the-Counter Drugs Non-drowsy antihistamines, like fexofenadine and loratadine, the decongestant pseudoephedrine, and the cough suppressant dextromethorphan can cause anxiety or jitteriness, which can lead to insomnia. Pain medicine. Some remedies have caffeine, which is a stimulant that can keep you awake.
Many of these decongestants contain pseudoephedrine-like substances, which can make your heart race, increase blood pressure, and make you feel jittery (also a factor in insomnia!)
Decongestants may keep you awake and are usually taken during the day. Nasal sprays are less likely to have that side effect and may be helpful at night for congestion. Decongestants can also raise blood pressure. So if your BP is high already, or you've got heart disease, check with your doctor before you use them.
Healthy adults who only use them once in a while usually don't experience side effects. If decongestants make you feel restless or make it difficult for you to sleep, you may want to avoid taking them at bedtime. It also may help to cut back on caffeine.
Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine that is indicated for treatment of nasal congestion associated with allergic rhinitis. Despite relieving nasal congestion, we speculated that, because of pseudoephedrine's well-known stimulant profile, sleep would not be improved.
Over-the-Counter Drugs
Non-drowsy antihistamines, like fexofenadine and loratadine, the decongestant pseudoephedrine, and the cough suppressant dextromethorphan can cause anxiety or jitteriness, which can lead to insomnia. Pain medicine. Some remedies have caffeine, which is a stimulant that can keep you awake.
No. If possible, try to avoid taking medications like Sudafed before bed. They can make it harder to fall asleep. By taking them earlier in the day — or at least a few hours before bed — they're less likely to cause insomnia.
When lying down, the blood vessels in your nasal passages dilate which leads to increased blood flow to the area. This causes the tissues to swell and become congested. When you are standing upright during the day, mucus can naturally drain. However, at night, mucus can build up and make it difficult to breathe.
To help prevent trouble in sleeping, take the last dose of pseudoephedrine for each day a few hours before bedtime.
You should seek advice from you GP or pharmacist before starting a decongestant course if you have any of the following conditions: diabetes. high blood pressure. an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
Antihistamines can help by inhibiting the production of symptom-causing chemicals, and decongestants work by reducing the amount of fluid in the nose. While they'll both help, antihistamines are a bit better because they can address multiple symptoms rather than just one.
Breathe Right nasal strips may help you breathe better at night. A steamy shower or a hot towel wrapped around the face can relieve congestion. Drinking plenty of fluids, especially hot beverages, keeps mucus moist and flowing. Some people swear by spicy foods, and we would be remiss if we did not mention chicken soup.
Prop up your head.
“For congestion relief, sleep with your head elevated on a few pillows and maintain a position where your head is above your heart,” Govindaraj suggests.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, as directed by your doctor. If you are self-treating, follow all directions on the product package. To prevent trouble sleeping, do not take this medication close to bedtime.
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant (sympathomimetic). It works by narrowing the blood vessels to decrease swelling and congestion.
On the other hand, repeated and forceful nose-blowing can generate pressures that are high enough to force mucus into the sinuses, which could be a factor in chronic sinusitis. If you are going to blow your nose, stick to one nostril at a time and do it gently.
It's likely that one nostril will always feel more stuffed up than the other when you're sick. Still, after about 90 minutes to 4 hours, your nose switches sides. When that occurs, you'll probably feel some relief when the swelling in the one nostril goes down—but then the other side will start to feel clogged instead.
Pseudoephedrine can interact with medications that affect the brain. These include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), some types of headache medications, and caffeine. It's best to avoid interactions with pseudoephedrine. If needed, your healthcare provider can help suggest safer alternatives.
Sudafed is an OTC medication that helps relieve nasal and sinus congestion. It's a stimulant, so you may have headaches, anxiety, or trouble sleeping while you're taking it. You may also notice changes in your blood pressure or blood glucose. Generally, side effects will go away after you stop taking Sudafed.
Insomnia is the most common side effect that people may experience when taking nasal decongestants. To avoid sleeping difficulties, individuals should avoid taking products that contain pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine before bed.
Phenylephrine is used for the temporary relief of stuffy nose, sinus, and ear symptoms caused by the common cold, flu, allergies, or other breathing illnesses (such as sinusitis, bronchitis). This medication works by decreasing swelling in the nose and ears, thereby lessening discomfort and making it easier to breathe.
Gravity. The simple act of lying down to sleep for 7 to 9 hours puts the body in a unique position for drainage. When we lie down, gravity enhances the circulation of blood to the head. This alone could lead to a feeling of congestion.
If you feel that you are blocked up but are not really producing mucus, then this is more indicative of a physical abnormality, such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum. It is quite common for people to complain of having a blocked nose on one side.