Best OTC Choices in Decongestants, Oral
Oral decongestants provide short-term relief for a blocked or stuffy nose. Here are Money’s picks for the best decongestants you take orally – as in, through your mouth. We include information on active ingredients and general notes about efficacy and side effects.
These products are among 16 types of cough, cold and allergy treatments assessed for us by drugs.com, using a methodology that combines expert assessment with analysis of online reviews, ratings and other customer data.
The information provided on Money.com is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The products featured may not be right for everyone and may carry risk even if available without a prescription. Read the product’s label and consult with a professional for individual medical advice.
| Rank
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Medication
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Active Ingredients
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Important Points
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#1
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Sudafed | Pseudoephedrine |
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#2
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Mucinex D | Guaifenesin, Pseudoephedrine |
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#3
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Allegra-D | Fexofenadine, Pseudoephedrine |
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#4
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Claritin-D | Loratadine, Pseudoephedrine |
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#5
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Zyrtec-D | Cetirizine, Pseudoephedrine |
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#6
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Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion | Diphenhydramine, Phenylephrine |
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#7
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Contac Cold+Flu | Aetaminophen, Phenylephrine |
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#8
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Sudafed PE | Phenylephrine |
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Featured drugs are available without a prescription in the U.S. and may not be available with or without a prescription in other locations.
