Should I take mucinex before a flight?

With a doctor's approval, adults can take a decongestant. “If it's a short flight, take it [the decongestant] before leaving,” House says. If it's a long flight, eight hours or so, you might take it an hour or so before the scheduled landing.



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1. About one hour before expected descent, take a decongestant (such as Sudafed- 12hr). 2. About 30 minutes before the flight use a nasal spray (such as Afrin or Neo-Synephrine).

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Two common recommendations: 12-hour or 24-hour Sudafed or Afrin nasal spray. If you opt for the nasal spray, give yourself a spray 30 minutes before takeoff and again about 30 minutes prior to descent.

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As a general rule, flying with a sinus infection and a congested nose is not advised. Changes in cabin air pressure affect the air inside and outside of your head. As a result, clogged sinuses, which prevent you from equalizing pressure differences, can be excruciatingly painful.

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By staying awake, you can practice the methods below to help eliminate or reduce pain and pressure. If you have any allergy or cold-related symptoms, make sure you take an antihistamine or decongestant spray at least 30-45 minutes before your flight.

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If you start to notice this pressure building, you can try some of these strategies:
  1. Take an antihistamine if needed before your flight. ...
  2. Yawn or swallow during takeoff.
  3. Try chewing a piece of gum or candy during takeoff, if yawning and swallowing don't work for you.


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Pharmacological treatment These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). Motion sickness medication, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).

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If you forget antihistamines and decongestants, don't expect any supplies on board. “Flight attendants are not allowed to dispense any kind of medicine except what is boarded--currently just acetaminophen (Tylenol),” according to a United Airlines spokesman.

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If you have nasal congestion from allergies, a cold, or are prone to painful ears on airplane descent, then taking an over-the-counter decongestant or antihistamine may help equalize the pressure in the ear.

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When your ears are badly affected, it will take longer for the blockage to clear and the pressure in your ears to equalise. In the worst cases, if the inner ear is sucked in by lower pressure inside the middle ear, it could cause lasting damage to your hearing.

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Can a patient have irrigation prior to flying? Yes, flying is not a contraindication to ear irrigation. Once the wax has been removed, you should advise the patient to keep their ears dry for 2-3 days to allow the ear canal to produce more wax, which is its natural protection.

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