Sinusitis Medications

Definition

For "sinusitis" we "mean an" inflammation of the nasal sinuses: the inflammatory process can appear suddenly (acute sinusitis) or last so long as to become chronic (over 12 months).

Causes

Generally, sinusitis is the result of frequent and ill-cured bacterial, viral or fungal insults in the upper respiratory tract; in some patients, sinusitis is a consequence of allergic phenomena or particular environmental conditions. The risk factors include: hormonal alterations, bronchial asthma, deviation of the nasal septum, continuous exposure to irritants, stuffy nose, nasal polyps, excessive use of drugs.

Symptoms

The typical symptom of sinusitis is a blocked nose (nasal obstruction), associated with the emission of yellowish or greenish mucus. These prodromes are associated with: alteration of the perception of the taste of food, halitosis, nasal congestion, weakness, dyspnoea, facial pain and teeth, fever, swollen eyes, closed ears, runny nose and cough.

Natural Cures

The information on Sinusitis - Sinusitis Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Sinusitis - Sinusitis Treatment Drugs.

Medicines

The key objective for the treatment of chronic sinusitis is undoubtedly to reduce the inflammation of the nasal sinuses: when a presumed simple cold tends to persist for too long, dragging with it breathing difficulties, nasal congestion, weakness and fever, sinusitis might be the most immediate explanation for all of this. In such situations, it is advisable to contact your general practitioner: in fact, a poorly treated or neglected sinusitis could generate rather serious complications (eg meningitis and infection of the eye sockets).

The following are the classes of drugs most used in sinusitis therapy, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:

Antibiotics: they are given in case of acute bacterial sinusitis. It is not uncommon, however, that the antibiotic chosen for the treatment of sinusitis is ineffective: in such situations, it is possible that the chosen drug does not carry out its therapeutic action against that pathogen, actually responsible for the manifestation of the disease. To avoid these inconveniences. , before prescribing a drug treatment, it is recommended to analyze the mucus, taken from the paranasal sinus of the affected patient. In general, antibiotic therapy should be continued for 10-14 days, depending on the severity of the disease. For example:

Amoxicillin (ES. Augmentin, Klavux): take a dose equal to 250-500 mg of the drug 3 times a day for 10-14 days; alternatively, take the antibiotic at a dosage of 500-875 mg orally twice a day. Do not prolong the therapy beyond 4 weeks.
Azithromycin (Eg Zitrobiotic, Rezan): indicated for the treatment of acute sinusitis of bacterial etiology. Take the drug from the first symptoms at a dosage of 500 mg orally, once a day for 3 days. In case of severity (moderate and severe forms of sinusitis), take 2 grams of active per day.
Moxifloxacin (eg Vigamox, Avalox, Octegra) take 400 mg of active orally or intravenously every 24 hours, for 10 days. Again, the antibiotic should only be given to treat acute sinusitis caused by bacteria.

Nasal decongestants: these are over-the-counter drugs (also available without a prescription) available in the form of tablets, liquids and nasal sprays; their administration should not be prolonged for long, since they can cause serious side effects, sometimes worsening the symptoms.

Pseudoefredina (eg Actifed, Actigrip): pseudoephedrine is probably the most used drug in therapy as a nasal decongestant, also (but not only) in the context of sinusitis; the drug is used both in combination with other drugs (eg antihistamines, paracetamol), and in monotherapy. Begin treatment by taking 30-60 mg orally every 4-6 hours, as needed. Continue therapy by taking 120 mg of active twice a day. Do not exceed 240 mg per day. Consult your doctor
Oximetazoline hydrochloride, 0.025-0.05% solution (eg Vicks sinex, Oxilin, Equimet): apply 4-6 sprays in each nostril twice a day, as needed for 0.025% solutions and 2-3 applications for each nostril twice a day for 0.5% solutions.

Nasal washes: saline solutions (physiological solution: eg. Libenar, Naset Spray) help to irrigate and free the nose from excess mucus, thus proving to be a valid remedy for cleaning the breath canal and at the same time soothing the nasal membranes, speeding up the healing from sinusitis.

Nasal corticosteroids: useful for counteracting severe inflammation in the context of sinusitis:

Fluticasone (eg. Avamys, Fluspiral, Flixonase, Nasofan): even if used extensively in therapy for the treatment of rhinitis, the drug is also useful for alleviating the typical symptoms of sinusitis. Patients previously treated exclusively with bronchodilator drugs can take fluticasone at a dosage of 100 mcg on the first day, gradually increasing the dose from day to day, up to a maximum of 500 mcg twice a day. Patients previously treated with oral corticosteroids can take fluticasone at a dose of 880 mcg per day.
Budesonide (eg Biben, Pulmaxan): The drug is administered by inhalation: repeat two applications (200-400 mcg) twice a day. Do not exceed 400 mcg per day. In case of previous treatment with corticosteroids, it is possible to increase the dose up to 800 mcg per day (divided into 4 inhalations twice a day).
Triamcinolone (eg. Kenakort, Triamvirgi, Nasacort): apply 2 sprays in each nostril once a day. You can increase the dose after 4-7 days by applying 4 sprays in each nostril once a day, or two sprays per nostril twice a day. Maintenance dose for the treatment of sinusitis on an allergic basis: 1 spray per nostril once a day.
Beclometasone (eg. Rinoclenil, Becotide nasale) the drug, widely used in therapy against allergic sinusitis, should be taken by inhalation, at a dosage of 1-2 sprays (42-84 mcg) in each nostril, twice a day (168-336 mg per day). The dosage just described refers to the spray drug, 0.042% solution.

Oral or injectable corticosteroids

The use of these drugs is reserved for the treatment of severe sinusitis, especially when associated with the presence of nasal polyps. In general, the administration of oral corticosteroids is recommended only in the case of asthma associated with severe sinusitis.

Prednisone (eg. Deltacortene, Lodotra) it is recommended to take 1-2 mg / kg divided into two doses, for 3-5 days. It is also possible to take the drug intravenously at a dosage of 2-4 mg / kg, divided into 3-4 doses during the 24 hours.
Methylprednisolone (eg. Advantan, Metilpre, Depo-Medrol, Medrol, Urbason) the drug is generally administered orally or i.v., in case of complications associated with sinusitis, or in any case for the treatment of severe forms. Take 40-80 mg of the drug per day, divided into 1-2 doses, for a period ranging from 3 to 10 days.

Antitussives: to be taken in case of sinusitis associated with cough.

Dextromethorphan (eg. Aricodiltosse, Bisolvon Tosse, Ozopulmin) the drug is usually administered in the form of syrups or tablets, at a dosage of 15-60 mg 2-3 times a day. Do not exceed 120 mg per day. At a dose of 200-300 mg per day the drug creates visual hallucinations and possible alteration of the heart rhythm.

Antihistamines: indicated to treat sinusitis in the context of an "allergy."

Diphenhydramine (eg Aliserin, Diphenes C FN) indicated to treat sinusitis on an allergic basis. Take 25 mg of drug (tablets / sachets) every 4 hours, as needed. Do not exceed 150 mg per day.
Chlorphenamine (eg Trimeton, tablets or solution for injection): the drug is often associated with phenylpropanolamine, a substance widely used for the formulation of products for the treatment of cold symptoms. It is recommended to take 4 mg of active every 4-6 hours. Do not exceed 32 mg per day.

Therapeutic aids: to be used as an adjunct to the treatment of sinusitis

Paracetamol or acetaminophen (eg Tachipirina, Efferalgan, Sanipirina, Piros, Tachidol) the administration of this drug is useful for lowering fever, a symptom that often accompanies sinusitis. Paracetamol is administered at a dosage of 325-650 mg per day every 4-6 hours; alternatively, take 1 gram every 6-8 hours. The dosage depends on the patient's condition, age and weight. The drug can also be taken intravenously: 1 gram every 6 hours or 650 mg every 4 hours for adults and adolescents weighing more than 50 kilos: if the patient weighs less than 50 pounds, administer 15 mg / kg every 6 hours or 12.5 mg / kg every 4 hours.
Ibuprofen (eg. Brufen, Kendo, Moment, Momentact, Buscofen): take orally from 200 to 400 mg of active ingredient (tablets, effervescent sachets) every 4-6 hours, as needed. In some cases, the analgesic can also be taken intravenously at a dosage of 400-800 mg every 6 hours, as needed.

Notes: how to prevent chronic sinusitis

Allergy is a possible risk factor for sinusitis: having said that, it is clear that the precise management of allergic phenomena is essential to prevent sinusitis
Sinusitis can be the result of a continuous chain of colds and bacterial and viral insults: for this reason it is essential to avoid contact with colds.
Wash your hands often, especially before meals
Smoking and smog are additional risk factors for bronchial and lung diseases: avoid smoking and frequent polluted environments as much as possible
The use of a humidifier for the environment decreases the risk of sinusitis and diseases of the respiratory tract in general