What should you know about Nurofen for sinus symptoms and a blocked nose?

Nurofen is a brand of ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory painkiller. It may reduce facial pressure, headache or fever for some people, while nasal blockage can continue because the nose lining is swollen. A common cold, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis or house dust mite allergy can each produce congestion, with different treatment needs.

Some combination products contain more than one active ingredient. Read the package carefully and avoid taking another ibuprofen-containing medicine at the same time. People with a history of stomach ulcers, kidney disease, certain heart problems, aspirin-sensitive asthma, or pregnancy should seek individual advice before using it.

Use the product only as directed on its label or by a pharmacist, and take it with food if advised. Do not give it to a child unless the product and dose are suitable. Rest, drink fluids and consider saline nasal rinsing with safe prepared water. If allergies drive the blockage, a pharmacist may discuss allergy medication.

Arrange advice if congestion persists, keeps returning, or interferes with sleep. Persistent night-time obstruction with loud snoring or pauses in breathing also deserves assessment because obstructive sleep apnoea can present during sleep.

Seek urgent help for swelling around an eye, vision change, severe headache with neck stiffness, confusion, difficulty breathing, or a rapidly worsening illness. Contact a clinician for one-sided blockage with bleeding, marked facial swelling, or symptoms that improve and then become markedly worse.

Ask whether your symptoms fit a cold, sinusitis or allergy, whether ibuprofen is suitable with your health conditions and medicines, and which option is safest for ongoing nasal blockage.