Frequently Asked Questions

You can buy cough and cold medicines from pharmacies or supermarkets- where a pharmacist can advise you on the best medicine to help relieve your symptoms.

You can relieve a blocked nose with decongestant sprays or tablets- see the SUDAFED® Blocked nose range.

You can ease aches with painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen, see the SUDAFED capsules which contain a painkiller as well as decongestant such as Sudafed Congestion & Headache Relief Max Strength Capsules

It can vary but you should begin to feel better in about a week or two. See your GP if your symptoms don’t improve after 3 weeks.

A condition in which the cavities around the nasal passages become inflamed. Acute sinusitis can be triggered by a cold or allergies and may resolve on its own. Chronic sinusitis last for more than twelve weeks or continue to recur.

Symptoms include facial pain, infected nasal discharge and congestion. SUDAFED^® Sinus Range can help relieve the symptoms of sinusitis.

Blocked nose

Head cold

Sinus

Excess mucus

It is not actually result of too much mucus in the nasal passages. A blocked nose is caused by inflamed blood vessels in the sinuses, which is usually triggered by a cold, the flu, allergies or sinus infection.

There are various different decongestant medicines available to buy over the counter. Below are some common active ingredients and how they work.

Pseudoephedrine – works by narrowing the blood vessels to decrease swelling and congestion

Phenylephrine – works by decreasing swelling in the nose and ears, thereby lessening discomfort and making it easier to breathe

Xylometazoline –Helps clear blocked nose and sinuses caused by having a cold or flu. It works by contracting swollen blood vessels, reducing the feeling of stuffiness and congestion.