Health Tip: When Taking a Decongestant

A decongestant can help you feel better when you're stuffed up, but you should always follow the package instructions carefully.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this advice before you take a decongestant:

• Learn the ingredients, as many are decongestants are combined with pain relievers and/or antihistamines.
• Find out how the decongestant may interact with your other medications.
• Avoid taking combination medications that treat multiple symptoms.
• Don't take multiple medications simultaneously, as they may contain at least some of the same ingredients, which could lead to an overdose.