Hi All, can anyone recommend a Sudafed / Sinutab equivalent in Switzerland. Something over the counter that helps clear the sinus. I guess it’s primarily Pseudoephedrine. I need something lactose free. Mainly thanks.

Not quite the same as Sudafed, but I usually take Pretuval for the things I would have taken Sudafed back home. Pretuval contains Pseudoephedrin but also paracetemol and dextromethorphan, so perhaps it might not be appropriate for your use. No idea if Pretuval is lactose free, or not.

See the compendium:

https://compendium.ch/product/131847...ltung-filmtabl


Do you have a Sudafed or Sinutab package? If so, bring it to an Apotheke and ask the pharmacist to recommend an appropriate substitute, stress the lactose issue.

(Ask the pharmacist, not the clerk behind the counter!)

Not the same thing at all but I find Sinupret forte works pretty well for clearing sinuses.

Some info here aswell

https://www.englishforum.ch/family-m...edication.html

There are a few cold / sinus products at the Apothekes here that contain pseudoephedrine. One that I like to keep on hand during the cold season is Fluimucil Grippe Day & Night (photo below). The day packets contain pseudoephedrine (40 mg) as well as Paracetamol 500 mg and Acetylcysteinum 200 mg., which is a low dose expectorant to break up mucus in the sinuses and lungs. It's important to drink lots of water for the expectorant to work effectively. The night tablets can be good to take before bed if you're having trouble sleeping. They contain Paracetamol 500 mg and Chlorophenamini maleas (an antihistamine, which will help you sleep) 4 mg.

I am lactose intolerant but have never had any problems with that product or any sinus or cold medications sold here.



But do be careful with pseudoephedrine products and what dose you take and when. I once bought a slow-release pseudoephedrine product here that literally had me awake for two or three days, unable to sleep.

Also, if you ever have severe sinus congestion and the resulting headaches, there is another product sold here that is natural (plant-based) that is awesome for immediately clearing the sinuses and providing immediate sinus headache relief. It's called "Prevalin Nasodren." It makes you sneeze like crazy for about 20 seconds after taking it, but then all that stuff finally comes out, clearing your sinuses.

The only pure Pseudoephedrine product is Rinoral and it looks like it is lactose free. Rinoral is Rx category B. You will either need a doctors prescription, or it can be also given OTC by a pharmacist on a case by case basis.

All the other products contain paracetamol and are OTC products
https://compendium.ch/search/products?q=Pseudoephedrine

As always these days, be sure it is not COVID-19. Get tested and protects others.

That Rinoral one is actually the one that had once kept me awake for two or three days. At least the "Rinoral Retardkapseln" (slow-release) one.

Be careful with that! lol. That is, unless you enjoy hallucinating due to sleep-deprivation.

I have found sinupret actually pretty effective

Acupressure points can truly help too. You could Google them.

Since I use those points daily during winter time- I have never suffered from sinusitis as I used to.

I second Sinupret Forte, although long days in masks really don't help.

Different type of meds but check out Gelomyrtol. Had it from my ENT for years for a chronic sinus infection

Thank you for reminding me of Gelomyrtol! I had once tried it years ago after a friend suggested it but then I guess I had somehow forgotten about it. It is good stuff!

I also agree about Sinupret Forte. It works really well for sinus pressure headaches. And it doesn't give you any kind of weird "speed buzz" like Pseudoephedrine can.

You should avoid anticholinergics like the plague.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4358759/

I was given it when I had an infection, I was quite sceptical at the time but it works well, expensive for a natural product.

Expensive here, fraction elsewhere.

Not that I believe at all the reasoning behind acupressure - but my wife and I have discovered that massaging around the sore area on the face leads to some temporary relief from pain. Sometimes it just goes away.

Not in any way related to acupressure. Manipulation of inflamed tissues has always been know to help reduce or relieve it - think "rub it better" for children's bruises. Acupressure would normally involve some pressure point not physically proximate to the affected area.

FWIW on the original topic - I've always found pseudoephedrine is the most effective decongestant available - for a while, possibly still the case in some markets, Sudafed changed their active ingredient to phenylephrine which really didn't cut the mustard.

Hah. Mustard, yes, for natural remedies try eating a spoonful of strong mustard, clear the tubes, it will.

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That and warming up the peripheral nerve areas, handwashing dishes in hot water (and some hot water foot soak) works wonders on my sinuses. Except Covid times, masks dry the hell out of my throat/nose, those few hrs of no masks nor nasal rinses aren't potent enough to fix it.

Acupressure works on the same meridians and points as Acupuncture - believe it, or not, but it works. I am currently training in acupressure, and it is fascinating and truly works. OH had amazing results when he offered acupuncture for free for his patients in the UK.

Interesting, thanks. That paper states that long-term cumulative use can have those effects, though. It also includes the use of anti-depressants. So perhaps using that antihistamine cold medicine just one night or two is okay?