Allergy medication for post-nasal drip

Post-nasal drip is the sensation of mucus moving down the back of the throat. When allergic inflammation is driving excess mucus, an antihistamine may help sneezing, itching and a runny nose, while a corticosteroid nasal spray may reduce swelling and mucus production.

Thicker mucus, reflux, a viral infection or sinus inflammation may produce a similar throat sensation, so allergy medicine will not suit every cause. Some older antihistamines can dry secretions and cause drowsiness; combination cold-and-allergy products may contain additional ingredients you do not need.

Check the active ingredients rather than relying on the brand name, and avoid taking two products that contain the same antihistamine. Use a nasal spray exactly as directed, aiming slightly outwards rather than toward the middle wall of the nose. Saline nasal rinsing can loosen mucus; use sterile, distilled, or previously boiled and cooled water.

Reducing exposure to a suspected trigger can also help. Track whether symptoms follow dust, pets, pollen, air-conditioning or a particular room, and note whether itchy eyes, sneezing or a runny nose occur at the same time.

Arrange a clinical review if symptoms persist despite correct treatment, repeatedly disturb sleep, or come with facial pain, fever, foul-smelling discharge, difficulty swallowing or blood in the mucus. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, rapidly increasing throat or tongue swelling, faintness, or trouble speaking because of breathlessness.

Ask whether your pattern fits an allergy, which active ingredient targets it, how long to try the treatment, and whether the product conflicts with pregnancy, glaucoma, prostate problems, blood pressure conditions, sedatives or other regular medicines.