Why does vasoconstriction lead to nasal decongestion?
When someone has a runny/stuffy nose such as with a cold. Fluid is leaking from the nasal vascular vessels. PE or other vasoconstrictors will decrease this and are commonly found as the active ingredient in nasal decongestions. Usually the forms are pseudoephedrine or pseudophenylephrine. Pseudoephedrine should not be used by someone taking MAOI agents, as this can cause a hypertensive crisis (similar to tyramine response).
