Oral Medications

Oral medications are sometimes used to control significant inflammation of the nose and sinuses, or a bacterial infection. They are generally used for a limited period of time and are selected based on the cause and severity of your symptoms.

Oral Corticosteroids

Corticosteroid tablets, such as prednisone or prednisolone, are effective at reducing inflammation. They may be prescribed for a short period when nasal or sinus inflammation is significant, particularly in conditions such as chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps.

Potential benefits

• Rapidly reduce inflammation and swelling.
• Improve nasal blockage.
• Reduce nasal polyp size when present.
• Improve the sense of smell in some patients.
• Help topical treatments reach the nose and sinuses more effectively.
• Help reduce inflammation and swelling after some sinus surgeries, depending on the case.

A short course can produce noticeable improvement, but symptoms may return if the inflammation is still present.

How should I take them?

Unless your doctor gives you different instructions:

• Take the medication in the morning.
• Take it with food.
• Follow the prescribed dose and duration carefully.
• If you were prescribed medicine to reduce stomach acid, take it as directed.

Potential risks

Short corticosteroid courses may cause some mild side effects, such as:

• Disturbed sleep.
• Increased appetite.
• Mood changes or irritability.
• Indigestion or stomach irritation.
• Temporary increases in blood sugar.
• Temporary increases in blood pressure.
• Fluid retention.

Repeated or prolonged use of corticosteroids by mouth can have some effects on the bones, blood sugar, blood pressure and the eyes, and can affect the body's own production of cortisol. For this reason we try to use them for the shortest time possible, and only when needed.

Very rarely, a problem with the blood supply to the hip joint can occur, even after a short course of corticosteroids.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics may be prescribed in situations such as:

• Acute bacterial sinusitis
• An acute flare-up in patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis
• Some cases after sinus surgery, depending on the case

Their use is decided on the basis of symptoms, examination findings and the clinical picture.

Culture-directed antibiotics

A sample may be taken for culture in some cases, to help identify the type of bacteria and choose the most suitable antibiotic.

The sample is usually taken from the nose or sinus during nasal endoscopy.

Possible side effects

• Stomach upset.
• Nausea or diarrhea.
• Rash or allergic reactions.
• Yeast infection.

Some antibiotics have particular precautions or instructions that vary with the medication, and your doctor will explain what is needed when one is prescribed.

Unnecessary antibiotic use can also contribute to antibiotic resistance, so antibiotics are used when there is a clear reason to use them.

Medicines are part of the treatment plan

Depending on the condition, medicines may be used alongside nasal sprays, medicated nasal irrigations, saline rinses, or other treatments.

The medication, dose and duration are decided according to the condition and your medical history.

Frequently asked questions

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