If you are struggling with a stuffy or a runny nose, pain across your face, and extensive congestion, you might be dealing with a bad case of sinusitis. Don’t worry, though – a sinus infection isn’t anything that could seriously threaten your health. It can, however, be very inconvenient and uncomfortable.
Fortunately, there are lots of treatments and medicines you can get over the counter to manage and relieve the symptoms of sinusitis. However, while these products are highly accessible, the sheer number of options can make it difficult to choose. So, which product is the best over the counter medicine for a sinus infection?
Let this buying guide help you land the right choice.
Top 10 OTC Medicines for Sinus Infection Chart
| Picture | Name | Form | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Alkalol Company Mucus Solvent and Cleaner, 16 Fluid Ounce | Rinse | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | 2. Ayr Saline Nasal Gel, With Soothing Aloe, 0.5 Ounce Tube | Scented Gel | $ | 4.4 |
 | 3. Ocean Saline Nasal Spray, 3.5 Ounce | Spray | $ | 4.4 |
 | 4. Zicam Ext Congestion Nase Size .5z Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief Nasal Gel .5z | Spray | $$$ | 4.4 |
 | 5. Afrin Original Spray, 1.01 Ounce | Spray | $ | 4.4 |
 | 6. Banyan Botanicals Nasya Oil - USDA Certified Organic - Nasal Drops for Clear Breathing and Lubrication | Scented Drops | $$$ | 4.2 |
 | 7. Dr. Christopher's Sinus Plus Caps 100 ct. | Rinse | $$$ | 4.2 |
 | 8. Neil Med Nasa Mist Multi Purpose Saline Spray All in One, 6.0 ounces Unit | Spray | $$ | 4.1 |
 | 9. Benzedrex Nasal Decongestant Inhaler | Inhaler | $ | 4.1 |
 | 10. SinuSoothe 100% Natural Nasal Spray Sinusitis,Hay Fever,Sinus Allergies,Colds,Rhinitis,Nasal Spray Addiction | Spray | $$$$ | 3.4 |
Things to Consider
If you are dealing with an acute case of sinusitis, there’s nothing else you can do to treat the problem other than managing the symptoms you are experiencing. The reason for this is that an acute sinus infection is most commonly caused by a virus, which means your condition will limit itself and resolve on its own even without the help of pharmaceuticals.
Keep in mind that the treatments you will find for sinus infection only target the symptoms and not the viral cause. Despite this, these products are highly effective at providing instant relief to make riding out the infection easier on your system.
Make sure to choose the best medicine for sinus infection by remembering these major considerations.
- Delivery Method/ Form. Sinusitis can strike anywhere, and that means a single delivery method may not be ideal for all situations. For instance, a person sitting at home would feel more at ease using a specific product form compared to someone standing on a moving train.
Sinus infection treatments most often come in these three major delivery methods:
- Spray. Fast and convenient, sprays are the ideal method of delivery for people on the go. These products aim to loosen congestion throughout the nasal cavity to provide temporary relief against stuff nose and difficulty breathing.
- Rinse. A rinse works in the same way that sprays do, but they take more time for preparation. What’s more, rinses can achieve a deeper clean, removing accumulated mucus farther into the cavities for longer-lasting relief.
- Inhaler. Even more convenient that sprays, inhalers are used exactly as the name implies. These products usually contain menthol which works well to work away mucus to make it easier to expectorate. While inhalers are very easy to use, they are also much less effective, providing short-term relief and requiring multiple uses throughout the day.
- Active Ingredients. Different products use different ingredients. Depending on how your body reacts to each component, some products may be more effective for you than others.
The most common active ingredients in sinus infection treatments are:
- Salt. Everyone knows that salt attracts fluids. By incorporating salt into a sinusitis medicine, the product can ‘pull’ the mucus towards the solution and thus make it easier to dislodge accumulated phlegm and expectorate.
- Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride. Commonly incorporated into synthetic sinusitis treatments, this component works to narrow the blood vessels in the nasal cavity to soothe irritation and inflammation, and to decrease the production of mucus.
- Menthol. Menthol has been a long trusted ingredient for the relief of congestion, used in many lozenges, topical creams, and other healthcare products for the reduction of mucus accumulation. In sinusitis treatments, menthol is incorporated to dislodge mucus and soothe nasal tissues for calming relief against inflammation.
Top 3 Best OTC Medicine for Sinus Infection Reviews
1. Alkalol Company Mucus Solvent and Cleaner
This all-natural product has been widely regarded as the best over the counter medicine for sinus infection, based on consumer reviews. Alkalol Natural Soothing Nasal Wash Mucus Solvent and Cleaner is a powerful however very gentle solution that works tough to remove mucus, but soothes the nasal tissues to reduce irritation and discomfort.
The mixture menthol, eucalyptol, spearmint, pine, and cinnamon packs a powerful minty punch that leaves the sinuses clear and free from congestion for hours on end. What’s more, the all natural solution causes zero side-effects, making it the best sinus medicine ever for little children.
All in all, Alkalol Natural Soothing Nasal Wash Mucus Solvent and Cleaner is a straightforward, safe, and effective product that gets the job done. So if you want a sinus infection remedy that can ease your discomfort at a reasonable price, this is the option for you.
2. Ayr Saline Nasal Gel, With Soothing Aloe
For buyers looking for something that doesn’t have too much of a menthol scent, Ayr Saline Nasal Gel with Soothing Aloe is the best over the counter medicine for a sinus infection. This natural product incorporates a high concentration of aloe, which works well to soothe irritated nasal tissues to help relieve discomfort.
What many users love about Ayr Saline Nasal Gel with Soothing Aloe is that it’s long-lasting and easy to use. A single application around the nasal cavity and nostrils can provide lasting relief for up to 6 hours, making it the ideal solution for those who do not want to keep applying throughout the day. It is also ideal for use before bedtime, working well to keep the sinuses clear while you snooze.
3. Ocean Saline Nasal Spray
When it comes to simplicity and safety, Ocean Saline Nasal Spray is a hard one to beat. This product incorporates very few components and uses salt as its major active ingredient. It draws out the mucus and dislodges accumulated phlegm to clear out the airways.
Ocean Saline Nasal Spray is highly effective, giving instant relief for both adults and children who use the solution. The only issue some users have with the product is that relief duration may vary, especially depending on the extent of congestion.