Prescription Medications for Chronic Sinusitis (2024)

If symptoms of chronic sinusitis do not respond to over-the-counter treatments, your doctor may prescribe medication to better manage the condition.

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Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids have powerful anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce swelling in the tissue that lines nasal passages and sinuses, making breathing easier. The anti-inflammatory effects of steroid treatment may also reduce the size of nasal polyps. Steroids can be taken by mouth or applied as a nasal spray.

Leukotriene Inhibitors

Leukotriene inhibitors—such as the medication Singulair®—can help people who have chronic sinusitis due to allergies by targeting chemicals produced by the body called leukotrienes. These chemicals are triggered by an allergic reaction and cause inflammation in soft tissues, leading to symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose and postnasal drip. Leukotriene inhibitors may also reduce inflammation in nasal polyps, making them smaller.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat an infection of the sinuses. Antibiotics fight infection caused by bacteria and can reduce swelling in the sinuses and nasal passages, making breathing easier and eliminating facial pain and pressure. Antibiotics can be very effective in getting rid of the infection, but they can also cause side effects. For this reason, doctors at NYU Langone prescribe them with caution. A typical course of antibiotics prescribed to treat chronic sinusitis lasts less than three weeks.

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Prescription Medications for Chronic Sinusitis (2024)

FAQs

What is the drug of choice for chronic sinusitis? ›

Nasal corticosteroids.

These nasal sprays help prevent and treat swelling. Some are available without a prescription. Examples include fluticasone (Flonase Allergy Relief, Xhance), budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy), mometasone (Nasonex 24HR Allergy) and beclomethasone (Beconase AQ, Qnasl, others).

What does a doctor prescribe for a severe sinus infection? ›

Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat an infection of the sinuses. Antibiotics fight infection caused by bacteria and can reduce swelling in the sinuses and nasal passages, making breathing easier and eliminating facial pain and pressure.

What is the best thing to take for chronic sinusitis? ›

Management and Treatment

Your provider may prescribe: Nasal saline irrigation. Nasal steroid sprays. Surgery to fix a deviated septum, remove nasal polyps, open up your sinuses or remove fungal balls (clumps of fungal infection that block sinuses.

What is the new medication for chronic sinusitis? ›

About XHANCE

XHANCE is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (with and without nasal polyps) in patients 18 years of age or older.

What is the best severe sinus medicine? ›

Brand names of some of the best OTC medications for sinus congestion include:
  • Benadryl Ultratabs (tablets for congestion allergies)
  • Advil (tablet for sinus congestion and headache)
  • Afrin No-Drip (nasal spray for severe congestion)
  • Sudafed PE (day/night duo sinus pressure tablets)
  • Cabinet (nasal decongestant tablets)

What is the first-line antibiotic for chronic sinusitis? ›

Invasion of bone or deep structures may require a prolonged antibiotic course. Currently, first-line antibiotics for patients with chronic sinusitis include amoxicillin-clavulanate, second-generation cephalosporins, and erythromycin-sulfasoxazole.

What is the strongest antibiotic for sinusitis? ›

Medication Summary

The choice of antibiotics depends on whether the sinusitis is acute, chronic, or recurrent. Antibiotic efficacy rates are as follows : Levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and amoxicillin/clavulanate - Greater than 90%

How did I cured my chronic sinusitis? ›

Natural remedies for chronic sinus infections
  1. Drinking plenty of fluids. Fluids help to thin out mucus, which makes it easier to pass through your sinus passages. ...
  2. Applying warm compresses. Create a warm compress using a soft washcloth and warm (not hot) water. ...
  3. Using a neti pot.
Jun 18, 2019

What would ENT prescribe for sinus infection? ›

For occasional sinus infections, your ENT specialist may recommend: Antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection. Prescription-strength decongestants to open your sinuses. Palliative medications and treatments to help you feel better.

How do doctors fix chronic sinusitis? ›

Over-the-counter nasal sprays, sinus rinses, and medications are effective treatments for chronic sinusitis. Prescription medications, including steroids and antibiotics, can effectively treat chronic sinusitis. To treat severe chronic sinusitis, our doctors may recommend endoscopic or computer-assisted surgery.

Why won't my chronic sinusitis go away? ›

Chronic sinus infections — those that last longer than 12 weeks — can also be the result of other health issues like asthma, allergies and even a deviated septum. These aren't treated with antibiotics, but by figuring out and dealing with the underlying cause.

What autoimmune disease causes chronic sinusitis? ›

In addition severe cases of CRS may be a manifestation of more serious conditions such as autoimmune disease (Sarcoid, Wegener's Granulomatosis, Churg-Strauss Syndrome), ciliary dyskinesia or cystic fibrosis. The diagnosis of CRS requires the presence of symptoms for at least twelve weeks.

What is the shot for chronic sinusitis? ›

What is XOLAIR? XOLAIR® (omalizumab) for subcutaneous use is an injectable prescription medicine used to treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in people 18 years of age and older when medicines to treat CRSwNP called nasal corticosteroids have not worked well enough.

What is the prescription for a sinus infection? ›

Most cases of sinusitis clear up within 10 days. Antibiotics are not needed for acute viral sinusitis. If a secondary bacterial infection should develop, one treatment of choice is amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin). In patients who have severe allergy to penicillin-type drugs, doxycycline is a reasonable alternative.

What happens if chronic sinusitis goes untreated? ›

What happens if sinusitis is left untreated? You don't necessarily need to treat sinusitis — it often goes away on its own. Very rarely, untreated sinus infections can lead to life-threatening infections. This happens if bacteria or fungi spread to your brain, eyes or nearby bone.

What is the strongest antibiotic for chronic sinus infection? ›

Best Antibiotics for Sinusitis

Amoxicillin (Amoxil) or amoxicillin clavulanate (Augmentin) are typically the first recommendations for people not allergic to penicillin. Amoxicillin is a penicillin-like antibiotic used to treat all kinds of infections, including chest, ear, and sinus infections.

What is the first choice drug for sinusitis? ›

Amoxicillin (Moxatag)

Amoxicillin is a first-line antibiotic choice. It interferes with synthesis of cell wall mucopeptides during active multiplication, resulting in bactericidal activity against susceptible bacteria.

How do doctors cure chronic sinusitis? ›

Sinus surgery using a nasal endoscope is the most commonly recommended procedure for people with chronic sinusitis. The surgeon uses the same type of thin endoscope used during the diagnostic exam. This procedure requires no visible incisions, is performed under general anesthesia.

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