What medicines can be used to treat nose and sinus polyps?
Medicines for the treatment of nose and sinus polyps mostly rely on an anti-inflammatory effect. Oral steroids (i.e., prednisone) are often quite effective in shrinking polyps, however, the risks of long-term treatment with oral steroids is often felt to outweigh the benefits of treatment. Most physicians, therefore, use oral steroids in bursts to help patients with polyps who are having a bad episode of swelling. Topical steroids (nasal steroid sprays) can be used on a more long-term basis to help patients decrease the inflammation associated with nasal and sinus polyps. Other novel preparations are available, but the relative risks and benefits should be discussed with your physician. Question: Is there a role for surgery for the treatment of polyps? Answer: In some patients with a significant bulk of polyps it may be necessary to surgically remove the polyps so that topical medications can be effective. In many patients with polyps, the sinuses have also developed a chronic inflamma
