Anticholinergics
Anticholinergic medications are a separate class of medications that can reduce mucous production. They can be used for the treatment of allergies and sinus disease. There are two types of anticholinergics used to treat these diseases: topical anticholinergics and oral anticholinergics.
Topical anticholinergics are applied to the nose. Atrovent® spray is used for watery post nasal drip and clear runny nose, but may not be useful for thickened secretions. These medications are generally well tolerated. However they may occasionally cause excessive nasal drying, crusting, bleeding and rarely rashes. This medication should be avoided if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, prostate enlargement, or bladder obstruction.
Oral anticholinergics help dry secretions without making you drowsy. Some older antihistamines like Benadryl have anticholinergic properties although they are not classified as anticholinergic drugs. Like nasal anticholinergics, oral anticholinergics should be avoided if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, prostate enlargement, or bladder obstruction.
Anticholinergics
Nasal Active |
Ingredient |
Atrovent® Nasal Spray 0.03% |
ipratropium bromide 0.03% |
Atrovent® Nasal Spray 0.06% |
ipratropium bromide 0.06% |
Ipratropium Nasal Spray 0.03% |
ipratropium bromide 0.03% |
Ipratropium Nasal Spray 0.06% |
ipratropium bromide 0.06% |
Oral |
Active Ingredient |
AlleRx® Dose Pack AM Tab |
methscopolamine 2.5mg |
AlleRx® Dose Pack PM Tab |
methscopolamine 2.5mg |
Atrohist® LA Tab |
scopolamine 0.01mg/
hyoscyamine 0.19mg |
Bellahist-D® LA |
scopolamine 0.01mg/
hyoscyamine 0.19mg |
Dallergy® Tab (extended release) |
methscopolamine 2.5mg |
Levbid® (ER) Tablet |
hyoscyamine 0.375mg |
Levsin®/SL Tablets |
hyoscyamine 0.125mg |
Levsin® Elixir |
hyoscyamine 0.125mg/5mL |
Levsin® Drops |
hyoscyamine 0.125mg/mL |
Levsinex® Timecaps |
hyoscyamine 0.375mg |
Robinul® |
glycopyrrolate 1mg |
Skin Patch |
Active Ingredient |
Transderm Scop® |
scopolamine 1.5mg |