Top Medications for Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are small, soft growths inside your nose that can cause stuffiness, runny nose and trouble breathing. There are several medications available to help treat nasal polyps. Let’s look at each of these medications.
1. Corticosteroid Nasal Sprays
Corticosteroid nasal sprays are commonly used to shrink nasal polyps and reduce swelling inside the nose. These sprays help ease the symptoms and are often the first treatment doctors recommend for nasal polyps.
2. Oral Corticosteroids
Oral corticosteroids are taken by mouth in the form of pills or liquids. These are usually prescribed for a short period when nasal sprays aren’t enough to reduce the polyps. They can provide quick relief from symptoms.
3. Injectable Corticosteroids
If oral corticosteroids don’t work well enough, doctors may recommend corticosteroid injections. This method delivers the medication directly into the body to reduce inflammation more effectively.
4. Biologics
Biologics are newer medications used for people with severe nasal polyps or for those who haven’t found relief with other treatments. These are given as injections and target specific parts of the immune system to help reduce inflammation and shrink polyps.
5. Antibiotics
Sometimes, if a bacterial infection is present along with nasal polyps, doctors may prescribe antibiotics. These help fight the infection but won’t shrink the polyps themselves.
6. Decongestants
Decongestants help reduce nasal swelling and improve breathing. While they don’t treat the polyps directly, they can help relieve some of the discomfort caused by blocked nasal passages.
7. Antihistamines
If allergies are contributing to nasal polyps, antihistamines may be prescribed. These help control allergic reactions that may cause or worsen the condition.
8. Saline Nasal Sprays
Saline nasal sprays help keep the nasal passages moist and clear out irritants. They can be used along with other medications to reduce discomfort and improve breathing.
What are Nasal Polyps?
Nasal polyps are non-cancerous, soft growths that form inside the nose or sinuses. They are caused by inflammation and often occur in people with allergies, asthma or sinus infections. Nasal polyps can block airflow, making it hard to breathe, and can lead to chronic congestion, runny nose and even loss of smell.
While nasal polyps themselves aren’t dangerous, they can cause discomfort and affect your quality of life. The good news is that with the right treatment, symptoms can improve, and the polyps can shrink or go away.
Finding the Right Treatment For You
If you think you have nasal polyps, it’s important to talk to a doctor for the best treatment options to help manage the condition.
Read on to learn about some treatments for ITP.