What type of drug is used to dry up a runny nose in a common cold?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A beneficial effect of antihistamine use with a cold is the drying of upper airway secretions,which lessens the rhinitis and accompanying sneezing.There is some question whether the drying of secretions is due to histamine antagonism or to the anticholinergic effect of these agents.How much histamine release occurs with colds is debated.In allergic rhinitis,there is no question that histamine causes much of the inflammatory response,and newer long-acting agents are particularly helpful with this condition.Blockade of H₁ receptors prevents the histamine contribution to the symptoms of nasal itching,congestion,sneezing,rhinorrhea,and ocular irritation.

What Type of Drug Is Used to Dry Up a Runny