Decongestants can sometimes make children jittery because the drug is closely related to the hormone adrenaline. In particular, small children and infants are susceptible to this effect. In addition, decongestant nose drops given to infants can result in too much of the medication being absorbed through nasal membranes. Most physicians agree that decongestants should not be used in children under the age of 6 months. Older children should only be given decongestants specially formulated for kids. To ensure their child receives the proper dosage of medication, parents should consult their child’s physician before providing any medication (including over-the-counter varieties) to their child.  

Physicians will often recommend a nasal spray decongestant rather than an oral decongestant for children. This is because nasal sprays treat a limited area of the body, which reduces the amount of decongestant passed into the rest of the child’s body. This helps limit side effects.

It is very important that children understand that they should use nasal sprays only as directed. Using a spray longer or more frequently than directed can result in rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa), which consists of nasal swelling and congestion. Some children may overuse their sprays unless carefully supervised.