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Several medications can treat the underlying cause, and the recommended drugs work differently to stop the drip. This article covers the best medications for postnasal drip, including types, dosages, precautions, and possible side effects. It also looks at home remedies, preventions, and when to contact a doctor. What it is and treatments Share on Pinterestvgajic/Getty ImagesUsually, a person either swallows the mucus their body produces or blows it out of their nose. However, if someone produces excess mucus, they may feel it dripping down the back of the throat. Doctors call this postnasal drip. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, postnasal drip can develop due to:bacterial infections, such as sinusitisallergiesan overly sensitive nosemedications that thicken mucusgastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Medications for postnatal drip Different classifications of medications perform different functions that may help with postnatal drip, such as:helping dry up mucusdecreasing mucus productiontreating the underlying cause of postnasal drip These medications also come in different forms, including:pillsnasal spraysliquidssyrups According to research from 2019, topical medications, such as a nasal spray, allow people to apply a higher concentration of medication directly to the receptor site. This reduces the risk of systemic or body-wide side effects compared with oral medications. We discuss the best medications for postnasal drip in more detail below. Antihistamines Antihistamines act on the histamine receptors, which often cause typical allergy symptoms, such as excess mucus production and postnasal drip. A range of antihistamines is available. Prescription first-generation oral antihistamines include: diphenhydramine (Benadryl), also available over the counter (OTC)chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), also available OTCcarbinoxamine (Clistin) Second and third-generation antihistamines include:desloratadine (Clarinex)loratadine (Claritin), available OTCfexofenadine (Allegra), available OTCZyrtec (cetirizine), available OTC Dosage The exact dose depends on the form of the medication. The typical adult dose of Benadryl is 25–50 milligrams (mg) three or four times daily as needed. Claritin comes as a 10 mg tablet and a liquid (1 mg per milliliter). The usual adult dose is 10 mg once a day. A person should check the packaging for each medication and confirm with a doctor whether they are suitable for children. Precautions Older or first-generation versions of antihistamines often cause side effects, such as sedation. However, second-generation antihistamines are nonsedating. Research from 2019 found that second-generation antihistamines are safer and work more effectively than first-generation antihistamines. People should inform their doctor if they are taking other medications to check whether these will interact with antihistamines. Possible side effects Although second-generation antihistamines are safer than older medications, side effects may still occur. Possible side effects of antihistamines include:dry mouthblurred visionheadacheconstipation People experiencing these side effects should seek medical advice for their symptoms. Decongestants Decongestants decrease swelling in the nose, which may ease symptoms associated with postnasal drip, such as a runny nose. Examples of decongestants include:Mucinex SudafedSuphedrin PE The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed restrictions on pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in many decongestants, because people can convert it to methamphetamine. For this reason, pharmacies may keep products containing this ingredient behind the counter. Dosage If pseudoephedrine is the active ingredient in a decongestant, the standard dosage for adults is one 60 mg tablet up to four times daily. The FDA does not recommend parents or caregivers give decongestants to children under 2 years old. It also states that people should be cautious when giving them to children over 2 years old. People can speak with a pediatrician to determine the most suitable treatment for a child with postnasal drip issues. Precautions Decongestants containing pseudoephedrine stimulate certain receptors in the central nervous system that increase blood pressure. People with heart conditions, including high blood pressure, should not use decongestants unless directed to do so by a medical professional. Possible side effects Common side effects from decongestants include:drowsinessirritation of the nose liningheadachesnausea or vomitingdry mouthrestlessnessa rash A person should discuss any of the above side effects or other concerns with a doctor. Steroid sprays Steroids decrease inflammation in the nasal passages that may contribute to postnasal drip. Doctors do not commonly prescribe oral steroids for treating postnasal drip due to potential side effects. However, OTC nasal sprays may help and cause fewer side effects. The following steroid nasal sprays have FDA approval for OTC use:triamcinolone (Nasacort AQ)budesonide (Rhinocort AQUA)fluticasone (Flonase) Dosage A person must use fluticasone nasal spray regularly for it to work. People can use it once or twice a day, and the usual adult dose is 1 or 2 sprays into each nostril. Each spray equates to 100 micrograms (mcg). Adolescents and children over 4 years old can use 1 spray per nostril once daily. Precautions According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, steroids can increase the risk of growth restriction in children. However, it states that topical steroids, such as nasal sprays, carry less risk than oral steroids. It is best to discuss the risks versus the benefits of using steroids with a medical professional. Possible side effects Possible side effects of steroid sprays include:issues inside the nose, such as:a stinging or burning sensationdrynessrednesscrustinessitchinessswellingnosebleedsa dry and irritated throatan unpleasant taste in the mouth Home remedies Home remedies or alternative treatments may reduce postnasal drip. Possible options to try include: Using a saline nasal spray A saline spray is gentle and easy to use. Spraying the saline directly into the nose keeps the sinuses moist and may thin mucus that drips down the throat. Learn how to make a saline solution at home. Nasal irrigation Nasal irrigation involves rinsing the nasal cavity using a device such as a neti pot or a high volume device. Rinsing the nose helps clear nasal secretions and may decrease postnasal drip. Research from 2020 found that high volume devices were more effective than other types of nasal irrigation in clearing mucus. Gargling with a saltwater rinse Gargling with salt water is a common home remedy for cold symptoms, such as a cough or postnasal drip. It is virtually free of side effects and easy to do. A person can dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and gargle for 1 minute. Read more about gargling with salt water. Prevention The best way to prevent postnasal drip is by treating the underlying medical condition. The following strategies may also help prevent postnasal drip:drinking more fluids to thin the mucus and help it flow easiersleeping with the head of the bed elevated, reducing dripping to the back of the throatusing a humidifier in the home to increase moisture in the air, which may decrease mucuslimiting the consumption of spicy food to try to reduce GERD symptoms When to contact a doctor Although postnasal drip is not often dangerous, it can be a symptom of another condition. A person should contact a doctor if:symptoms last more than 10 daysthey develop a high feverfoul-smelling mucus occurs, as this could indicate an infectiondiscolored mucus does not clear up Summary The best medications for postnasal drip may depend on the underlying cause. Examples of medications for postnasal drip include antihistamines, steroids, and decongestants. As with any medication, it is best to talk with a doctor before use to discuss the dosage, precautions, and possible side effects. A person may be able to treat postnasal drip at home with saline solutions or by gargling salt water. They may also wish to explore prevention measures such as purchasing a humidifier or making dietary changes. Last medically reviewed on September 15, 2022RespiratoryEar, Nose, and Throat 15 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Antihistamines. (2020).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antihistamines/Decongestants. (2019).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/decongestants/Diphenhydramine. (2021).https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/diphenhydramine/Farzam, K., et al. (2022). Antihistamines.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538188/Fein, M. N., et al. (2019). CSACI position statement: Newer generation H1-antihistamines are safer than first-generation H1-antihistamines and should be the first-line antihistamines for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and urticaria.https://aacijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13223-019-0375-9Flonase (fluticasone propionate) nasal spray. (2019).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/020121s045lbl.pdfFluticasone nasal spray and drops. (2020).https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/fluticasone-nasal-spray-and-drops/Głowacka, K., et al. (2021). Pseudoephedrine: Benefits and risks.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8152226/Loratadine (Clarityn). (2021).https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/loratadine/Over-the-counter allergy nasal steroid sprays: What does it mean for patients? (2020).https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/triamcinolone-nasal-sprayPiromchai, P., et al. (2020). A multicenter survey on the effectiveness of nasal irrigation devices in rhinosinusitis patients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7752074/Postnasal drip. (2018).https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/post-nasal-drip/Steroid nasal sprays. (2020).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/steroid-nasal-sprays/Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids. (2018).https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/use-caution-when-giving-cough-and-cold-products-kidsWatts, A. M., et al. (2019). Modulation of allergic inflammation in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis sufferers with topical pharmaceutical agents.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.00294/fullFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Alexandra Perez, PharmD, MBA, BCGP — By MaryAnn De Pietro, CRT on September 15, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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