List of 20 Best Medicines for Runny Nose – Composition, Dosage, Popularity & More

January 15, 2019

A runny nose is the result of excess nasal mucus production, leading to watery nasal secretions that discharge from the nostrils.

Runny nose can be caused due to cold, or the flu or maybe due to allergies. Some people may have a chronically runny nose for no apparent reason which is characterized as non-allergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis (VMR). While in some cases runny nose can be a sign of a more serious problem, and may be serious in infants.

OTC medication like Otrivin nasal spray might be helpful in drying up runny nose. If it doesn’t get better in 3-4 days, consult a doctor.

List of top 20 medicines for Runny Nose

Alaspan
Alenix
Avil
Coldact
Dezlorid
Fexova
Flucold
Hhlevo
Levocet
Lormeg
Monta Plus
Nukast
Ontacet-L
Plevo
Practin
Respira D
Sinarest
Teczine
Tirlor
Theocold

Top 20 Medicines for Runny Nose in India (Tablets, Syrups & More)

1. Alaspan: Treats allergic symptoms including a runny nose

Brand name – Alaspan
Composition – Loratadine
Popularity – 8
Loratidine is a second-generation histamine receptor and works by blocking the effects of a chemical messenger (histamine) in the body.
Dosage – It is available as a tablet to take by mouth with or without food. The recommended dose for adults is 10 mg daily as a single dose and for children is 5 mg to 10 mg once a day.
Price – Alaspan is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets (10mg). Each strip is of ₹101.84.
Kidney and liver patients need to be cautious while receiving this medicine.

2. Alenix

Brand name – Alenix
Composition – Desloratadine
Popularity – 8
Desloratadine works by blocking the effects of histamine in the body.
Dosage – It is administered orally in the form of tablet to be taken along or without food. The recommended dose for children between 6 to 12 years of age is 2.5 mg tablet once daily. The recommended dose for adults is 5mg, once a day.
Price – Alenix is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets (5mg) for ₹35.

3. Avil: Treats symptoms of allergy

Brand name – Avil
Composition – Pheniramine
Popularity – 9
Pheniramine works by preventing the effect of certain substances produced by the body which induces allergic reactions.
Dosage – It comes in the form of a tablet to be taken by mouth, with or without food. The recommended dose includes half to one tablet, 3 times daily for adults and half a tablet 3 times daily for children (5 to 10 years of age).
Price – Avil is supplied as a strip containing 15 tablets (25mg). Each strip is of ₹7.50.
Contraindicated in newborn and premature infants, children below 5 years of age, patients with distant prostate hyperplasia and those taking anti-depressants like MAO inhibitors.

4. Coldact: Treats common cold symptoms

Brand name – Coldact
Composition – Chlorpheniramine maleate and Phenylephrine
Popularity – 8
Phenylephrine is a selective alpha agonist which works by reducing swelling of the blood vessels in the nasal passages. Chlorpheniramine lowers or stops the body’s reaction to the allergen and ease the signs.
It is available in the form of capsules to be taken by mouth, with or without food, use as directed by your physician.
Price – Coldact is supplied as a strip containing 10 capsules. Each strip is of ₹53.50.

5. Dezlorid: Relieves symptoms of seasonal allergies

Brand name – Dezlorid
Composition – Desloratidine
Popularity – 8
Desloratidine is an antihistamine and works by blocking histamines action, which reduces allergy symptoms.
Dosage – It comes as a tablet to be taken by mouth, with or without food. The recommended dose for adults is 5 mg once daily. The dose recommended for children between 6 to 11 years of age is 2.5mg once a day and 1mg once a day for children below 11 years of age.
Price – Dezlorid is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets (5mg). Each strip is of ₹69.00.

6. Fexova: Treats allergic symptoms including a runny nose, sneezing and others

Brand name – Fexova
Composition – Fexofenadine
Popularity – 7
Fexofenadine is an antihistamine and blocks histamines action. It works by lowering or stopping the body’s reaction to the allergen.
Dosage – It is administered orally in the form of tablet, with or without respect to food. The recommended dose for adults is 60 mg twice daily or 180 mg once daily with water. For children between 6 to 11 years of age, the recommended dose is 30 mg twice daily with water.
Price – Fexova is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets (180mg) for ₹173.
Pregnant women and kidney patients need to be cautious while receiving this medicine.

7. Flucold: Relieves cold symptoms

Brand name – Flucold
Composition – Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Paracetamol, Phenylephrine
Popularity – 8
Chlorpheniramine is an anti-allergic medication which relieves allergy symptoms. Paracetamol is an analgesic and antipyretic and works by blocking the release of certain chemical messengers in the brain that are responsible for pain and fever. Phenylephrine is a nasal decongestant and works by narrowing the small blood vessels providing relief from congestion or stuffiness in the nose.
Dosage – It is available in the form of tablet to be taken orally, with or without the regard of food. The recommended dose for adults is 325 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours. For children, the dose range is 10 to 15 mg/kg every 4 to 6 hours.
Price – Flucod is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets. Each strip is of ₹28.5.

8. Hhlevo: Relieves allergic symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and others

Brand name – Hhlevo
Composition – Levocetirizine
Popularity – 7
Levocetirizine is as an anti-histaminic which works by blocking the action of histamine responsible for causing allergic symptoms.
Dosage – It comes as a tablet to be taken orally, with or without the regard of food. The recommended dose range for adults is 2.5-5 mg per day in the evening. Maximum dose is 5 mg per day.
Price – Hhlevo is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets (5mg). Each strip is of ₹58.
It is not advised to consume alcohol while receiving this medicine and kidney patients need to be cautious.

9. Levocet: Treats allergic symptoms

Brand name – Levocet
Composition – Levocetirizine
Popularity – 8
Levocetirizine is a third generation, non-sedating antihistamine. It works by selectively inhibiting histamine receptors thus relieving allergic symptoms.
Dosage – It is administered orally in the form of tablet, with or without food. The recommended dose range for adults is 2.5 to 5 mg, once a day in the evening.
Price – Levocet is supplied as 10 tablets (5mg) in a strip. Each strip is of ₹43.

10. Lormeg: Reduces allergic symptoms

Brand name – Lormeg
Composition – Loratadine
Popularity – 8
Loratadine is an anti-histaminic. It mainly works by blocking the action of histamine in the body.
Dosage – It is administered orally in the form of a tablet, with or without the regard of food. The recommended dose is 10 mg once a day. For children below 30kg, the recommended dose is 5 mg and for children above 30 kg, 10 mg is the dose, given once a day.
Price – Lormeg is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets (10mg). Each strip is of ₹45.8.

11. Monta Plus: Treats runny nose, sneezing due to allergies

Brand name – Monta Plus
Composition – Levocetirizine, Montelukast
Popularity – 8
Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), and it works by blocking a substance called leukotriene and lowers the body’s reaction to allergens. Levocetirizine is an anti-histamine which blocks histamine and lowers allergic reactions.
Dosage – It is administered orally in the form of tablet, to be taken with or without food. The recommended dose is 10mg, once a day.
Price – Monta plus is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets (5mg/10mg). Each strip is of ₹110.
Not recommended for use in patients with end-stage kidney disorder.

12. Nukast: Prevents allergic symptoms associated with rhinitis and seasonal allergies

Brand name – Nukast
Composition – Levocetirizine, Montelukast
Popularity – 8
Levocetirizine being an anti-allergic, blocks a histamine responsible for runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing. Montelukast is a leukotriene antagonist and works by blocking leukotriene which in turn reduces inflammation (swelling) in the airways and nose.
Dosage – It is administered orally in the form of a tablet. The recommended dose is 5mg, once a day usually at evening.
Price – Nukast is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets (2.5mg/4mg). Each strip is of ₹72.85.
Not recommended for use in patients with kidney disorder and galactose intolerance.

13. Ontacet-L: Treats allergic symptoms including runny nose

Brand name – Ontacet-L
Composition – Levocetirizine
Popularity – 8
Levocetirizine is a third-generation non-sedative antihistamine. It works by decreasing the activity at histamine H1 receptors which in turn prevents the release of other allergy chemicals.
Dosage – It is administered orally in the form of a tablet, with or without food. The recommended dose for adults is 2.5-5 mg, once a day.
Price – Ontacet-L is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets (5mg). Each strip is of ₹30.

14. Plevo: Provides relief from allergic reactions

Brand name – Plevo
Composition – Levocetirizine
Popularity – 7
Levocetirizine is an anti-histamine medication which works by blocking the effect of histamine and providing relief from runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, headache and others.
Dosage – It is available in the form of a tablet to be taken by mouth, with or without food. The recommended dose is 5 mg once a day.
Price – Plevo is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets (5mg). Each strip is of ₹19.9.

15. Practin: Treats conditions of allergic reactions

Brand name – Practin
Composition – Cyproheptadine
Popularity – 7
Cyproheptadine is an anti-histaminic and works by blocking the action of histamine, which reduces allergy symptoms.
Dosage – It is administered orally in the form of a tablet, along with or without food. The recommended dose for adults is 0.5 mg/kg per day. The dose for children is 2 mg (1/2 tablet), two or three times a day.
Price – Practin is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets (4mg). Each strip is of ₹12.78.
It is not recommended for use in lactating women and children below 2 years of age.

16. Respira D: Provides relief of cough due to sneezing, and running nose.

Brand name – Respira D
Composition – Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan
Popularity – 8
Chlorpheniramine is an anti-histaminic and works by lowering the body’s reaction to the allergen. Dextromethorphan is a sigma-1 agonist which works on the cough center in the brain.
It is available in the form of syrup to be administered orally, with or without food as directed by your physician.
Price -Respira D is supplied as a syrup in 100ml bottle. Each bottle is of ₹70.

17. Sinarest: Treats common cold symptoms

Brand name – Sinarest
Composition – Chlorpheniramine maleate, Paracetamol, Phenylephrine
Popularity – 7
Chlorpheniramine lowers the body’s reaction to allergens. Paracetamol blocks the action of certain chemicals that induce pain. Phenylephrine works by reducing the swelling of blood vessels in the nasal passage providing relief from congestion.
Dosage – It is administered orally in the form of a tablet, with or without food. The recommended dose range for adults is between 325 and 650 mg, very 4 to 6 hours. For children the dose range is 10 to 15 mg, depending upon the body weight, every 4 to 6 hours.
Price – Sinarest is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets for ₹46.14.

18. Teczine: Treats runny nose associated with allergic reactions

Brand name – Teczine
Composition – Levocetirizine
Popularity – 7
Levocetirizine is an anti-histaminic. It works by blocking the action and effect of histamine which is responsible for allergic symptoms.
Dosage – It is consumed as a tablet orally, with or without food. The recommended dose range for adults is 2.5 to 5 mg, once a day.
Price – Teczine is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets (5mg). Each strip is of ₹67.

19. Tirlor: Treats sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes

Brand name – Tirlor
Composition – Loratidine
Popularity – 8
Loratidine is an anti-histamine which works by reducing a chemical substance called histamine from the body.
Dosage – It is available in the form of tablet to be taken orally, with or without food. The recommended dose for adults is 10mg once a day. For children above 30kg of weight, the dose is 10mg and for children below 30kg, 5mg is the recommended dose, once a day.
Price – Tirlor is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets (10mg). Each strip is of ₹19.5.
Not recommended for use in newborn infants and pregnant women.

20. Theocold: Treats symptoms of common cold

Brand name– Theocold
Composition – Chlorpheniramine maleate, Paracetamol, Phenylephrine
Popularity – 8
Chlorpheniramine is an anti-allergic medication which provides relief from allergy symptoms. Paracetamol is an analgesic and antipyretic and works by blocking the release of prostaglandin in the brain, responsible for pain and fever. Phenylephrine is a nasal decongestant and it narrows the blood vessels providing relief from congestion in the nose.
It is available as a tablet for oral consumption, as directed by your physician.
Price – Theocold is supplied as a strip containing 10 tablets. Each strip is of ₹35.