Ear, nose and throat

Medicines for Sinusitis

Inflammation of the lining of the sinuses — the air-filled spaces around the nose and cheeks — usually triggered by a cold, causing facial pressure, a blocked or runny nose and reduced sense of smell, and almost always settling on its own without antibiotics.

Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review

Quick answer

What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is inflammation of the lining of the sinuses, the air-filled spaces in the bones around the nose, cheeks and eyes. When this lining swells, the sinuses cannot drain freely, which causes a feeling of pressure or pain across the face, a blocked or runny nose, a reduced sense of smell and sometimes a headache or toothache-like ache.

  • How it is treated: The guiding principle is that most sinusitis is viral and gets better by itself, so treatment focuses on easing symptoms while the inflammation settles rather than reaching for antibiotics.
  • Self-care: Steam inhalation, saline nasal rinses or sprays, staying well hydrated, simple pain relief and avoiding smoke and known allergy triggers all help to ease sinus symptoms while the inflammation settles.
  • When to seek help: See your GP or pharmacist if sinus symptoms are severe, are not improving after about two to three weeks, or keep coming back.

What it is

Sinusitis is inflammation of the lining of the sinuses, the air-filled spaces in the bones around the nose, cheeks and eyes. When this lining swells, the sinuses cannot drain freely, which causes a feeling of pressure or pain across the face, a blocked or runny nose, a reduced sense of smell and sometimes a headache or toothache-like ache. Most cases follow a common cold and are caused by a virus, so they are part of the same illness rather than a separate infection; a smaller number become bacterial. Acute sinusitis usually clears within two to three weeks, and longer-lasting (chronic) sinusitis is often linked to ongoing nasal inflammation or allergy. It is normally recognised from the symptoms and examination, without scans or swabs, and the main point is that it is usually viral and self-limiting — antibiotics make little difference to most people.

How it is treated

The guiding principle is that most sinusitis is viral and gets better by itself, so treatment focuses on easing symptoms while the inflammation settles rather than reaching for antibiotics. Simple measures — pain relief, steam inhalation, saline rinses and rest — help comfort. Nasal corticosteroid sprays can reduce the lining swelling, particularly when symptoms have lasted a little longer or there is an allergic component, and short-term decongestants may give temporary relief of a blocked nose. Antibiotics are not needed for the great majority and are considered only when symptoms are severe, are clearly worsening or persist beyond the usual time and a bacterial cause is likely. For chronic sinusitis the emphasis shifts to longer-term control of the underlying nasal inflammation and any allergy. Throughout, certain warning features — such as swelling or redness around the eye, severe one-sided pain, visual change or confusion — are treated as red flags that need urgent assessment rather than continued home treatment.

For this condition, these medicines

Medicine classes used for Sinusitis

Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.

Nasal corticosteroids Allergy Reduce inflammation and swelling of the nasal and sinus lining, helping symptoms settle — especially useful when sinusitis has lasted a little longer or there is an allergic component. Decongestants ENT / Respiratory Used short term to relieve a blocked nose by shrinking the swollen lining; not for prolonged use, as overuse can cause rebound congestion. Penicillins Anti-infective Reserved for the minority of cases where symptoms are severe, clearly worsening or persistent and a bacterial cause is likely; amoxicillin is the usual first-line antibiotic when one is genuinely needed.

Symptom checker

Symptoms that can point to Sinusitis

Sinusitis can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:

HeadachePain anywhere in the head — from a tight band of tension to a throbbing migraine or sinus …Ear painEar pain is common, especially in children, and is most often caused by an ear infection o…TinnitusTinnitus is hearing sound — such as ringing, buzzing or humming — that does not come from …NosebleedsA nosebleed is bleeding from inside the nose, usually from small, delicate blood vessels n…SnoringA rattling, snorting or whistling noise made when breathing during sleep as air passes a p…Hoarse voiceA rough, raspy, weak or croaky change in the voice from irritation, swelling or strain of …Feeling of a lump in the throatA persistent sensation of something stuck in the throat when nothing is actually there — u…Jaw painPain in the jaw — usually from the jaw joint, teeth or muscles, but occasionally a referre…Facial swellingSwelling of part or all of the face — which can come from an allergic reaction, infection …Watery eyesEyes that overflow with tears or stream more than usual, most often from irritation, aller…Persistent bad breathAn unpleasant smell from the mouth that does not clear with brushing — most often caused b…ToothachePain in or around a tooth — aching, throbbing or sharp — most often caused by decay, gum p…Blocked or stuffy noseA stuffy, congested or blocked nose where the lining is swollen and the airways feel obstr…Loss of smellA reduced or absent sense of smell — often dulling the sense of taste as well — which is m…Loss of tasteA reduced or altered sense of taste, where food tastes bland, odd or of nothing at all — u…Frequent sneezingRepeated, sudden bursts of sneezing as the nose tries to clear an irritant — most often fr…

Beyond medication

Lifestyle and self-care

Steam inhalation, saline nasal rinses or sprays, staying well hydrated, simple pain relief and avoiding smoke and known allergy triggers all help to ease sinus symptoms while the inflammation settles.

When to get help

When to see a doctor

See your GP or pharmacist if sinus symptoms are severe, are not improving after about two to three weeks, or keep coming back. Seek urgent medical help if you develop swelling, redness or pain around or behind an eye, double vision or any change in vision, a severe or rapidly worsening headache, a high fever with feeling very unwell, neck stiffness, confusion or drowsiness — these can signal a serious complication spreading from the sinuses and need emergency assessment.

999Emergency — call 999 or go to A&E
111Urgent advice — call NHS 111 or use 111 online
GPNon-urgent — see your GP or pharmacist

Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.

Answers

Sinusitis: frequently asked questions

What medicines are used for sinusitis?

Most sinusitis is viral and gets better on its own, so treatment is mainly about easing symptoms. Simple pain relief, steam inhalation and saline rinses help comfort. A nasal corticosteroid spray can reduce the swollen lining, especially if symptoms have lasted a little longer or there is an allergic element, and a short course of a decongestant can temporarily relieve a blocked nose. Antibiotics such as amoxicillin (a penicillin) are reserved for the minority of cases that are severe, clearly worsening or persistent with a likely bacterial cause.

Do I need antibiotics for a sinus infection?

Usually not. The great majority of sinus infections are caused by viruses, often as part of a cold, and antibiotics make little or no difference to how quickly they clear. They are considered only when symptoms are severe, are getting clearly worse, or persist well beyond the usual two to three weeks in a way that suggests a bacterial cause. Avoiding unnecessary antibiotics spares you side effects and helps keep them working when they are truly needed.

How long does sinusitis last?

Acute sinusitis usually settles within about two to three weeks, even without specific treatment, as the inflammation following a cold gradually resolves. Symptoms that last longer than this, or that keep returning, are described as chronic sinusitis and are often linked to ongoing nasal inflammation or allergy; these may need longer-term treatment and review. If your symptoms are not improving in the expected time, it is worth getting checked.

What sinusitis symptoms are warning signs?

Ordinary sinusitis causes facial pressure, a blocked or runny nose and a reduced sense of smell, and improves over a couple of weeks. Seek urgent help, though, if you develop swelling, redness or pain around or behind an eye, double or reduced vision, a severe or rapidly worsening headache, a high fever with feeling very unwell, a stiff neck, confusion or drowsiness. These can indicate that infection is spreading beyond the sinuses and need emergency assessment rather than home treatment.

Keep reading

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Sources

Where this is drawn from

  • NICE NG79: Sinusitis (acute) — antimicrobial prescribing.
  • NICE CKS: Sinusitis (sinus infection).

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