5 Best OTC Nasal Sprays (2024)

5 Best OTC Nasal Sprays (1)Share on Pinterest

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

  • Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
  • Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
  • Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

  • Best overall nasal spray: Afrin Pump Mist Maximum Strength
  • Best nasal spray for kids: Children’s Flonase
  • Best nasal spray for sinus infection: Mucinex Sinus-Max Nasal Spray
  • Best nasal spray for allergies: Flonase Allergy Relief Spray
  • Best saline nasal spray: Arm and Hammer Simply Saline Nasal Care

Nasal sprays are medications that you spray directly into your nose. These products are sometimes recommended to treat symptoms of sinus pressure and inflammation, which can be caused by allergies or a sinus infection.

These sprays can apply active ingredients directly to the site of your discomfort, which can help to provide quick relief for pressure and congestion.

Nasal sprays that are only available with a prescription have a higher dose of active ingredients and a slightly increased risk of side effects. But many nasal spray products are available over the counter and can be purchased conveniently at any drug store or even online.

Certain products are designed to be better at treating certain conditions, but wading through and narrowing down what might work best can be a daunting task. We read through hundreds of customer reviews, product descriptions, and medical literature so you don’t have to.

OTC nasal sprays can be categorized by their active ingredients (or lack thereof).

  • Steroid: OTC steroid nasal sprays are meant to reduce inflammation. That’s why they’re recommended for treating allergies and chronic sinusitis. The steroid sprays may contain budesonide or fluticasone.
  • Antihistamine: Antihistamine sprays are meant to blunt the impact of an allergen that your body is reacting to. These products are mostly recommended for allergies. Active antihistamine ingredients in nasal sprays are azelastine or olopatadine.
  • Nasal decongestant: These types of sprays aim to shrink irritated blood vessels that line your nose, reducing inflammation to help you breathe more easily. Ingredients may include oxymetazoline hydrochloride or phenylephrine hydrochloride.
  • Saline: Saline sprays don’t contain active ingredients, but they can loosen mucus and help you to breathe more easily.

We chose these products based on the following criteria:

  • Hundreds of verified customer reviews: We read through what people like you had to say about the pros and cons of every product on this list.
  • Transparent and honest claims: We disqualified any product that makes medically inaccurate or exaggerated claims about how their product can work in their advertising.
  • Clinical trials and peer-reviewed studies: We checked the research on the active ingredients and long-term side effects of the products on this list so you could have peace of mind making your choice.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $9
  • $$ = $9–$13
  • $$$ = over $13

Best overall nasal spray

Afrin Pump Mist Maximum Strength

  • Price: $
  • Who it works for: The active ingredient in this spray is oxymetazoline, a nasal decongestant. That makes Afrin Pump Mist a good choice if you’re experiencing congestion related to allergies, a sinus infection, or a combination of both. One dose (two to three pumps) of Afrin lasts 12 hours.
  • What to know: This product shouldn’t be used for more than 3 consecutive days. It contains polyethylene glycol, which some people may be allergic to. Afrin can be habit forming. If you’re still having symptoms after 3 days, speak with a doctor and switch to another treatment.

Best nasal spray for kids

Children’s Flonase

  • Price: $$
  • Who it works for: The children’s formulation of Flonase contains glucocorticoid, a medication that relieves congestion caused by allergies. It’s also nondrowsy, so your child can take a dose before they’re off to school or a game. Glucocorticoid is an anti-inflammatory, but not an antihistamine, which may make it more effective at treating congestion. One spray per day in each nostril is enough.
  • What to know: This product isn’t approved for kids under 4. Note that continuous use or overuse of Flonase can affect your child’s growth, so it shouldn’t be used as a long-term solution. Be sure to supervise your child when using this product, and make sure they take the recommended dosage. Note that this spray won’t treat congestion that’s caused by a cold or sinus infection.

Best nasal spray for sinus infection

Mucinex Sinus-Max Nasal Spray

  • Price: $$
  • Who it works for: Oxymetazoline chloride is the active ingredient in this spray, which is meant to treat mild to moderate sinus congestion. As a bonus, this spray contains cooling menthol, which can help soothe inflamed nasal passages and give you a burst of clean, cool sensation. Reviewers say this formula works immediately.
  • What to know: This spray should only be used once every 12 hours, and it’s not a long-term treatment for ongoing sinus and allergy issues, as it can be habit forming. If your symptoms haven’t subsided after 3 days, speak with a doctor and switch to another treatment.

Best nasal spray for allergies

Flonase Allergy Relief Spray

  • Price: $$$
  • Who it works for: Flonase is a nondrowsy formula that contains fluticasone, which is meant to treat hay fever symptoms. Fluticasone is a corticosteroid treatment that can reduce inflammation in your sinuses without the sleepy side effects of an antihistamine. Unlike other nasal sprays, Flonase is non-habit forming, so you can use it year-round. In addition to sinus congestion, it addresses watery eyes and itching.
  • What to know: You only need two sprays in each nostril daily to get the full impact of Flonase. Some known side effects include nosebleeds and a sore throat. These side effects become more likely with overuse.

Best saline nasal spray

Arm and Hammer Simply Saline Nasal Care

  • Price: $$
  • Who it works for: This saline nasal spray adds moisture to clogged nasal passages. It loosens mucus with the help of baking soda, instead of constricting nasal passages. Some reviewers who live in dry climates use it to irrigate their nose.
  • What to know: Unlike other nasal sprays, it’s safe to mix this saline spray with other types of cold and allergy medication. If you need relief from severe cold, flu, or allergy symptoms, try one of the stronger sprays on this list. Note that this spray is more of a fine mist and can take some getting used to.

The best nasal spray for you depends on what you need the product to do. Aim to treat your symptoms based on the underlying cause. If you need a nasal spray because of seasonal allergies, look for a spray that contains a steroid. If you’re treating a sinus infection, look for one with decongestant ingredients.

Start with a product that has a lower amount of active ingredients before trying something with a higher amount.

How to use

Most nasal sprays are used the same way.

  1. First, blow your nose to get your nasal passages as clear as possible. This will ensure you’re not simply blowing mucus back into your sinus cavity.
  2. Next, make sure that the spray cap is off and the spray is open. You may need to shake the bottle or release a small amount of spray from the pump to get it ready to use.
  3. Point the end of the nasal spray directly under one of your nostrils. Close your mouth before you gently spray and inhale. Your goal is to get the spray into your sinuses, not to feel it in the back of your throat.

Always carefully read the packaging of any product that you use before you start using a nasal spray. Dosage may vary according to what you are using. Most nasal sprays are only meant to be used once or twice per day for a maximum of three consecutive days.

Using nasal spray too much can give you nosebleeds or cause rebound congestion.

Nasal sprays aren’t typically intended as a long-term solution for allergies and frequent sinus congestion. Some people report that nasal sprays can be habit-forming, and side effects such as rebound inflammation and nosebleeds can occur if you overuse these products. Alternatives to consider include:

  • Run a cool-mist humidifier or essential oil diffuser in your home to keep sinus congestion to a minimum.
  • Consider a HEPA-filter air filtration device if environmental allergies are a problem indoors.
  • Apply a warm compress to your forehead and nasal passages to soothe painful congestion.
  • Keep oral allergy medications in mind as an alternative to nasal sprays.
  • Breathe in steam or take a warm shower to loosen mucus that’s inflaming your sinus passages.
  • Drink an herbal tea with peppermint.

Nasal sprays can help you manage hay fever or sinus infection symptoms. But there are times when you may need to see a doctor about your symptoms.

Talk with a doctor about your congestion if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • nasal congestion that lasts for 2 weeks or more
  • a high fever that lasts for over 72 hours
  • nasal discharge that appears green and comes with a recurring fever or headache

How do OTC nasal sprays compare with prescriptions?

In general, OTC nasal spray options have many of the same active ingredients as their prescription-strength counterparts. The main difference is the dosage that’s included in the spray. Prescription-strength sprays are also more likely to contain corticosteroid ingredients.

How do nasal allergy sprays compare with oral allergy medication?

Nasal allergy sprays tend to take several days to start working, while oral allergy medications can start working within a few hours. However, in the long run, nasal sprays may be more effective than taking oral medication. Generally, however, they both have the same effects.

Are nasal allergy sprays safe to use?

Nasal allergy sprays are safe to use occasionally for the treatment of a runny nose or nasal congestion. Nasal decongestant sprays can cause what’s called rebound congestion if used for 3 consecutive days. Before using any type of nasal spray, read package instructions carefully.

Shopping for the right nasal spray starts with learning a thing or two about the active ingredients they contain. Once you know the basics, it’s much easier to narrow down which symptoms you need to treat and which nasal spray might work best.

Some nasal sprays can be habit-forming and aren’t appropriate for long-term use. Speak with your doctor about a longer-term treatment plan if nasal sprays aren’t giving you symptom relief.

5 Best OTC Nasal Sprays (2024)

FAQs

5 Best OTC Nasal Sprays? ›

Experts say that over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory nasal sprays—such as FLONASE nasal sprays or Nasacort® 24 Hour—are the most effective form of nasal allergy symptom relief.

What is the most effective nasal spray? ›

Experts say that over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory nasal sprays—such as FLONASE nasal sprays or Nasacort® 24 Hour—are the most effective form of nasal allergy symptom relief.

What is the best nasal spray Consumer Reports? ›

Antihistamine nasal sprays: If you've been faithfully using a nasal steroid for a couple of weeks and you're still uncomfortable, the guidelines recommend adding in a daily prescription nasal antihistamine spray, such as azelastine (Astelin, Astepro, and generic) or olopatadine (Patanase and generic).

Is there a nasal spray that is safe to use everyday? ›

Nasal steroids sprays (Flonase®, Nasocort®, Nasonex®, etc. ) are safe to use on a daily basis and are now largely over-the-counter. These sprays are non-addictive and typically do not cause any long term changes to the nasal passages.

What nasal spray works immediately? ›

Astepro Allergy (azelastine) is the most common antihistamine nasal spray. It works quickly — within 15 minutes, and it can be used to both treat and prevent allergy symptoms.

What nasal spray not to use? ›

Nasal sprays containing either oxymetazoline or phenylephrine are the rebound congestion-inducing nasal sprays to use with caution. If a nasal spray contains either of these active ingredients, be sure to use only as directed on the label — three days or less.

What works better than nasal spray? ›

Running a humidifier while you're sleeping can help open up your nasal passages and make sleeping more comfortable. This may allow you to get better-quality sleep. Using a humidifier has few risks. Many people report that humidified air helps improve their cold symptoms.

What is better than Flonase? ›

Official answer. Nasacort and Flonase are equally effective, safe, and well tolerated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Therefore the choice of either Nasacort or Flonase comes down to personal preference, availability or price.

Which nasal spray is best for chronic sinusitis? ›

Nasal corticosteroids.

These nasal sprays help prevent and treat swelling. Some are available without a prescription. Examples include fluticasone (Flonase Allergy Relief, Xhance), budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy), mometasone (Nasonex 24HR Allergy) and beclomethasone (Beconase AQ, Qnasl, others).

Which is better, Afrin or FLONASE? ›

Is Afrin or Flonase better? Afrin provides a faster response to congestion with an onset of action within 10 minutes. It is not recommended for use longer than three days, however. Flonase is slower to relieve congestion symptoms but can be used safely long term.

Which nasal spray is good for a blocked nose? ›

Otrivin Oxy Fast relief is prescribed as a nasal decongestant when you have a blocked nose due to cold, making breathing difficult. It can also be used to relieve nasal congestion caused due to a sinus infection or allergic rhinitis.

How to unblock nose fast? ›

Here are some of our top tips for how to clear a blocked nose:
  1. Steam inhalation. Fill a bowl with hot, steaming water and place it on a sturdy table. ...
  2. Use a humidifier. ...
  3. Take a hot shower. ...
  4. Stay hydrated. ...
  5. Nasal sprays. ...
  6. Decongestant tablets. ...
  7. Decongestant liquids. ...
  8. A warm compress.

Which is the best nasal spray for a blocked nose? ›

For nasal congestion, we recommend Otrivine Sinusitis Relief Nasal Spray. The spray delivers an exact medicated dose of xylometazoline hydrochloride inside the nostril to relieve the nasal congestion as well as helping to ease the sinusitis pain and pressure that you may be feeling.

Is Flonase or Nasacort more effective? ›

Official answer. Nasacort and Flonase are equally effective, safe, and well tolerated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Therefore the choice of either Nasacort or Flonase comes down to personal preference, availability or price.

Which nasal drop is best for a blocked nose? ›

Otrivin Oxy Fast relief is prescribed as a nasal decongestant when you have a blocked nose due to cold, making breathing difficult. It can also be used to relieve nasal congestion caused due to a sinus infection or allergic rhinitis.

What nose spray works in 30 minutes? ›

Cromolyn Sodium (NasalCrom)

It can also help a stuffy nose. Some people see results in only 30 minutes. For it to work best, you need to start using it one to two weeks before allergy season starts and then use it one or more times every day.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 6471

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Birthday: 1996-12-09

Address: Apt. 141 1406 Mitch Summit, New Teganshire, UT 82655-0699

Phone: +2296092334654

Job: Technology Architect

Hobby: Snowboarding, Scouting, Foreign language learning, Dowsing, Baton twirling, Sculpting, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.