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Suggest Medication For Ear Congestion

Posted on Tue, 4 Aug 2015

Question: What over the counter medications are good for symptoms of ear congestion? Omnicef 300 mg did not help, and left me very fatigued.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
URTI- Self Limiting

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern.
You seem to be suffering from Upper Respiratory tract infection (URTI).
For URTI, i advise to take an antibiotic like Azithromycin only in case you have persisting fever. Otherwise in most cases URTI is due to viral infection and it gets better with in 5 days.
You may take an anti allergic like cetrizine / Levocetrizine which is available as OTC drug.
Warm saline gargles at least 3-4 times a day and steam inhalation are the most helpful treatments. You should also take Paracetamol on as or when required basis for fever and body pains.

Omnicef is going to help only if you have bacterial infection.

You should avoid steroids like Prednisolone, as during a viral infection your immunity is low, and steroids can further reduce then leading to secondary infection.

Drink plenty of hot fluids to give your throat soothing and help in pain

This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney , MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (13 hours later)

Thank you, Dr. Varshney. I was prescribed Omnicef 300mg x 10/day for sinus/throat infection. As I stated previously, the Cephalosporin antibiotic has left me very fatigued, with fuzzy thinking. It did help my throat, but my ear continues to be congested. It affects my balance, and continually has popping sensation. I now question why I was prescribed antibiotic, along with Prednisolone. I did not have fever. I did not see my primary care doctor. I was treated at an urgent care facility, out of town.

Could the issue with my ear be caused by allergies? Or, a viral infection? It seems to come and go, sometimes for weeks at a time. I have begun using OTC Chlorpheniramine, 4mg. The dosage is 4mg x 4 times/day. Also, just begun a saline nasal mist. What are your thoughts on Flonase or Nasacort sprays? And/or Pseudoephedrine, 30mg? I'm confused about needing to take a decongestant, and/or an antihistamine.

I will begin saline gargles, along with steam inhalation and warm fluids. Should that help with my ear congestion, also?

Thank you for your patience and compassion, as I am still away from my primary care doctor.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seems to be allergic

Detailed Answer:
Hi, It seems to be allergic reaction only. Most common precipitating cause is viral infection.
I would not advice Nasocort or Flonase spray in acute condition. You should carry on with Chlorpheniramine, Salani nasal drops. You can can take Pseudoephedrine as decongestant along with Chlorpheniramine.
Continue warm saline gargles and steam inhalation.
Get well soon.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E