Nasal polyps are tissue growths that can occur in the nasal cavity and sinuses. Non-surgical nasal polyp medication can help reduce the swelling. Check out the various nasal polyp drugs below!
Non-surgical nasal polyps medication is basically a medication that can be given directly into the nose or taken orally to relieve inflammation of the inner lining of the nose.
Inflammation is a common cause of nasal polyps. By stopping this inflammation, it is hoped that nasal polyps can shrink or not enlarge, so that complaints such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and nosebleeds caused by nasal polyps are reduced.
Various Nose Polyps Drugs Without Surgery
As an initial treatment for nasal polyps, you can use a variety of medications, both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. The following are a variety of non-surgical nasal polyp medications that you can try:
1. Corticosteroid nasal spray and drops
This is the first step to cure nasal polyps. This non-surgical treatment of nasal polyps can reduce inflammation in the nose and help shrink and remove the polyps without a trace.
Usually, drugs containing corticosteroids only give effect to improve symptoms after 1-2 weeks of use. You may be advised to use this medication for at least 4–6 weeks.
How to use this drug is relatively easy. You simply lie on your back on the mattress with your head and neck over the edge of the bed, so that your head is tilted up. After that, drip or spray the polyp medicine into the nose. Wait for 3-4 minutes for the drops to fully enter the back of the nostril.
The use of corticosteroid nasal drops has the risk of causing side effects, such as nosebleeds, sore throat, and irritation of the inside of the nose. If side effects occur, consult the doctor who gave you this drug prescription.
2. Corticosteroid tablets and injections
If nasal sprays or drops are ineffective or if your nasal polyps are large enough, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid tablets. Corticosteroid injections may be used if nasal polyps are causing severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or heavy nosebleeds. This non-surgical treatment of nasal polyps can be combined with corticosteroid spray or nasal drops.
Corticosteroid tablets are usually recommended to be consumed in the short term, which is about 7 days. The reason is, long-term use of corticosteroids can cause side effects, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and weight gain.
If nasal polyps resolve after you take steroid tablets, long-term treatment with steroid nasal sprays is usually recommended.
3. Other drugs
Doctors can also give other drugs to treat chronic inflammation according to the cause. For example, if inflammation occurs due to allergies, the doctor will give antihistamines. Meanwhile, if the inflammation occurs due to a bacterial infection, the doctor will give antibiotics.
In patients with nasal polyps who also have asthma, anti-Ig-E drugs can improve symptoms, but further research is needed to evaluate the use of these drugs.
Non-surgical nasal polyp medication is effective enough to relieve symptoms caused by polyps and even eliminate them. However, that does not mean you can continue to depend on these drugs without checking with your doctor, because these drugs also have side effects.
During the use of the drug, the condition of nasal polyps should always be monitored by a doctor. If you don't feel any improvement, you may need surgery to remove the polyp. Consult a doctor if your symptoms do not improve with medication within 2 months.