Post-nasal drip happens when mucus builds up in the back of the nose and throat. Post-nasal drip is not a medical condition, but it may be a symptom of another medical condition that causes excessive mucus production (e.g., sinusitis, rhinitis, or infections).
The inside lining of the nose produces large amounts of mucus to clean the nose, trap foreign particles (e.g., dust), and to fight infection. Post-nasal drip can be caused by various medical conditions including sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses), viral infections such as the common cold, rhinitis (a runny nose that may be acute or chronic), allergies, or bacterial infections. In some cases, post-nasal drip can be caused by reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
The treatment of post-nasal drip depends on its cause.
If your doctor determines that an infection is causing post-nasal drip, the infection will most likely be caused by a virus and antibiotics are not required. However, decongestants may help a stuffy nose and pain relievers can be used to help with pain. Sometimes, bacterial infections can occur and antibiotics may be prescribed.
Pseudoephedrine* and phenylephrine are the most common decongestants in over-the-counter cold medications taken by mouth. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using decongestant medication if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, glaucoma, or prostate enlargement. Nasal spray decongestants include those containing phenylephrine, oxymetazoline, or xylometazoline. They should not be used for more than 3 to 5 days, as they may cause congestion to worsen when used on a regular basis for longer periods of time. Humidifiers or vaporizers can also help relieve symptoms of post-nasal drip. Regardless of cause, some antihistamines may be used to treat post-nasal drip since they help dry up the mucus.
If allergies are responsible for post-nasal drip, over-the counter antihistamines (e.g., loratadine, desloratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine) can be used to help with symptoms. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting an antihistamine. Your doctor may also prescribe a corticosteroid nasal spray (e.g., budesonide, fluticasone, mometasone) to help. Avoiding the allergies that cause runny noses can prevent post-nasal drip from happening again. Many people are allergic only during certain seasons or times of the year, mostly to pollens, moulds, or weeds. Year-round causes of allergies include mites, animal dander, and moulds.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2026. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Post-nasal-Drip
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