There are several kinds of medications available for sinus infections, depending on the cause of the infection and if it’s acute or chronic.
Most sinus infections are caused by viruses, like those that cause the common cold.
“Most sinus infections are viral and therefore resolve on their own,” says Dr. Hebert. “[But] if a sinus infection lasts for longer than 10 days or gets better and then worse again, it may be bacterial.”
Over-the-Counter Medications
“For symptom improvement, you can consider over-the-counter treatments like pain medications, saline rinses, topical steroids, and decongestants,” says Andrea Hebert, MD, MPH, an otorhinolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat physician) and associate professor of otorhinolaryngology at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.
The following treatments may be helpful for people with an acute sinus infection, especially if caused by a virus:
- Nasal steroids, such as fluticasone (Flonase Allergy Relief), budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy), mometasone (Nasonex), and beclomethasone (Beconase AQ), which are used to reduce and prevent swelling in the nose
- Oral decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and brompheniramine (Dimetapp), to help unblock the sinus openings and temporarily relieve nasal congestion
- Nasal decongestants such as oxymetazoline (Afrin) or phenylephrine (Note that these drugs may help at first, but prolonged use can worsen nasal stuffiness, known as “rebound congestion.”)
- Antihistamines (allergy medications), such as loratadine (Claritin) or cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- Pain relievers or fever reducers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen (Aleve)
Antibiotics
Many people with a bacterial sinus infection also feel better by using the same treatments described above. But if your symptoms continue not to improve or even worsen, your doctor may prescribe you antibiotics.
The antibiotic your doctor prescribes will depend on your specific situation. Some examples include:
- Amoxicillin and clavulanate
- Amoxicillin
- Cefixime
- Cefpodoxime
- Clindamycin
- Doxycycline
- Levofloxacin
It’s important to note that most healthy people with bacterial sinusitis often get better even without the use of antibiotics. This is especially important in cases where the risks of antibiotic use, such as unnecessary side effects, outweigh the benefits.
Medication for Chronic Sinusitis
Other medications may be needed for those who experience recurrent or chronic sinusitis — sinus inflammation that lasts longer than 12 weeks — depending on the underlying cause. They may include:
- Intranasal steroid sprays
- Topical antihistamine sprays or pills taken by mouth
- Leukotriene antagonists, such as montelukast