Sinusitis treatment: Can over-the-counter drugs help?

No over-the-counter (OTC) medications can cure acute sinusitis. But some OTC medications and other home remedies may help reduce pain and congestion associated with sinusitis. These remedies include:

• Spraying a saline solution in your nose several times a day to relieve stuffiness
• Inhaling steam from a bowl of hot — not boiling — water several times a day
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers
• Applying warm compresses to your nose, cheeks and eyes
• Drinking additional fluids

Some doctors have also recommended OTC decongestants to relieve congestion associated with sinusitis. But there is little evidence that OTC decongestants are effective in treating acute sinusitis.

Most people with acute sinusitis get better without antibiotics. However, if your symptoms last longer than a few days, consult your doctor.