Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissues that line our sinuses. Sinuses are air-filled spaces within our skull that help to filter and moisten the air we breathe, give resonance to our voices and make our skull lighter. We have four pairs of sinuses in total, located between the eyes and behind the forehead, nose, and cheeks.
Cells that make up the tissues that line our sinuses have two main functions – they either produce mucus to trap microbes and pollutants or have tiny hairs on their surface called cilia that sweep the mucus out of the sinus through tiny openings called ostia back into the nose.
Infection, allergy, or pollutants can cause inflammation of the lining of the sinuses, which causes thickening of mucus and an increase in production. This can clog one or more of the ostia, preventing drainage of mucus back into the nasal cavity. Pressure builds up, and symptoms of sinusitis develop. Common symptoms include:
Nasal congestion or a blocked nose
A thick green or yellow nasal discharge
Fever
Headache
Fatigue
Facial or dental pain (may feel like a toothache)
Loss of smell
Pain that worsens when lying down.
Most cases of sinusitis are caused by viruses and occur following a cold or the flu, or are due to allergies or pollutants such as cigarette smoke. However, it is common for bacteria to also become trapped, so even if bacteria were not the original cause of the sinusitis, they take advantage of the moist, airless environment and quickly multiply, contributing to the symptoms and prolonging the course of the condition.
Acute sinusitis is sinusitis that persists for less than three weeks and occurs no more than three times in one year. Chronic sinusitis is sinusitis that lasts for more than 12 weeks.
How is sinusitis diagnosed?
Symptoms of sinusitis mimic a cold in the early stages and diagnosis can be difficult. However, sinusitis tends to persist long after cold symptoms have resolved and symptoms can last for three weeks or more. Sinus infections are also more likely to cause symptoms such as facial or tooth pain, green nasal discharge, and fever.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and any history of illness leading up to this episode of sinusitis. The doctor will also perform a simple office examination and look into your ears, nose and throat, and take your temperature.
Other examinations or procedures may be undertaken to rule out other conditions or if the diagnosis is uncertain.
How is Sinusitis Treated?
Sinusitis often resolves itself without any treatment. However, the following may be considered to speed recovery and prevent chronic sinusitis from developing:
Saline nasal sprays
Pain relievers
Decongestants
Antihistamines
Nasal corticosteroids
Antibiotics.
Drugs used to treat Sinusitis
The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Sinusitis. Their efficacy
may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical,
cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Sinusitis.
For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity
Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx
Prescription only.
OTC
Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC
Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label
This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA
An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access
Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N
FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M
The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U
CSA Schedule is unknown.
N
Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1
Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2
Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3
Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5
Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X
Interacts with Alcohol.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
