Decongestant Symptom Relief

• By reducing swelling in the nasal passages, decongestants relieve nasal pressure and mucus production brought on by the cold or flu. Decongestants can ease head pressure and open nasal passages, allowing for easier breathing.
  
  

Decongestant Side Effects

• Although they are used to relieve congestion, overuse of decongestants can eventually cause congestion to worsen. Also, due to blood vessel constriction, people with heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma or thyroid disease should avoid using them. Decongestants are stimulants and can cause the jitters, an elevated pulse and problems sleeping.
  
  

Decongestants to Avoid

• In the past, many medications contained phenylpropanolamine (PPA), but due to an increased risk of stroke you should not use phenylpropanolamine or any multisymptom medications containing it. Newly produced medications do not contain phenylpropanolamine.
  
  

Antihistamine Symptom Relief

• Antihistamines block the body's production of histamines, which cause congestion, sneezing, itching and runny nose. Although they are a common ingredient in nighttime cold medications, antihistamines are more commonly used to treat hay fever and allergies.
  
  

Antihistamine Side Effects

• Antihistamines often cause dizziness and drowsiness and should not be taken before driving or operating heavy machinery. People on anti-depressants, sedatives or tranquillizers should also avoid taking antihistamines because of possible complications.