# Post-nasal drip syndrome (upper airway cough syndrome) - Category: chronic - Review status: reviewed (every claim checked against a document named on this page) - Sources: ACCP Cough Guideline: Upper Airway Cough Syndrome 2006 · Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Respiratory System 2026 (cetirizine monograph) · eMC SmPC, Neoclarityn 5 mg film-coated tablets (Organon), sections 4.1 and 4.2 - Verified date: 2026-08 ## Verified against - ACCP Cough Guideline: Upper Airway Cough Syndrome 2006 - Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Respiratory System 2026 (cetirizine monograph) - eMC SmPC, Neoclarityn 5 mg film-coated tablets (Organon), sections 4.1 and 4.2 ## Treatment metadata - Fluticasone propionate — nasal - Cetirizine — 10 mg — oral.solid - Desloratadine — 5 mg — oral.solid ## Complete treatment card ```text POST-NASAL DRIP SYNDROME (UPPER AIRWAY COUGH SYNDROME) Sources: ACCP Cough Guideline: Upper Airway Cough Syndrome 2006 · Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Respiratory System 2026 (cetirizine monograph) · eMC SmPC, Neoclarityn 5 mg film-coated tablets (Organon), sections 4.1 and 4.2 Review status: REVIEWED against 3 sources listed above (2026-08) 1. FLUTICASONE PROPIONATE [1st line] Adult 2 sprays (100 mcg) into each nostril once daily, preferably in the morning x 2-4 weeks Peds Children >4 years: 1 spray into each nostril once daily Source ACCP Cough Guideline: Upper Airway Cough Syndrome 2006 Why Intranasal fluticasone reduces inflammation of the nasal and sinus mucosa that drives post-nasal drip and the resulting cough, and is first-line therapy for upper airway cough syndrome. Caution Full therapeutic benefit requires regular daily use for several days. Direct spray away from nasal septum to avoid epistaxis. Systemic effects are rare at recommended intranasal doses. Egypt RHINORELIEF NASAL SUSP. 50 MCG/METERED SPRAY DOSE ARAB DRUG COMPANY (ADCO) 32.00 EGP TICANASE 0.05% NASAL SPRAY 12 GM EUROPEAN EGYP... 70.00 EGP FLIX NASAL SPRAY 50 MCG/METERED SPRAY DOSE EVA PHARMA 76.00 EGP FLIXOTIDE 0.5MG/2ML 10 INH. NEBULES GLAXO SMITHKLINE 63.00 EGP FLOHALE HFA 250MCG/DOSE AEROSOL 120 DOSES CIPLA LTD. - INDIA > STAR INTE... 95.00 EGP FLIXOTIDE EVOHALER 50MCG/ACTUATION INHALER GLAXO SMITHKLINE 111.00 EGP FLIXOTIDE DISKUS 250 MCG/DOSE 60 DOSES GLAXO SMITHKLINE 150.00 EGP FLIXOTIDE 2MG/2ML 10 INH. NEBULES GLAXO SMITHKLINE 214.25 EGP 2. CETIRIZINE [2nd line] Adult 10 mg once daily x 2-4 weeks Peds 2 to under 6 years: 2.5 mg twice daily 6 to under 12 years: 5 mg twice daily (Children 2-6 years: 2.5 mg twice daily; 6-12 years: 5 mg twice daily) Choice Alternatives, both second-generation antihistamines. Cetirizine is the cheaper and the more widely stocked. Source Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Respiratory System 2026 (cetirizine monograph) Why Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine that blocks histamine-mediated nasal secretion and drainage; it is used as a second-line or alternative option to intranasal corticosteroids for post-nasal drip, particularly when an allergic trigger is suspected. Caution May cause mild drowsiness in susceptible individuals; caution driving. Reduce dose in renal impairment. Avoid concurrent alcohol or CNS depressants. Egypt EPIRIZINE 10 MG 10 TABS. EIPICO 15.50 EGP (1.55/unit) CETRITIN 10MG 20 TAB. EL NILE. 42.00 EGP (2.10/unit) TOMAZINE 10MG 30 F.C. TABS. ALFACURE PHAR... 63.00 EGP (2.10/unit) CETRAK 10 MG 20 TABS. PHARCO 68.00 EGP (3.40/unit) HISTAZINE-1 10 MG 20 TABS. AMRIYA 68.00 EGP (3.40/unit) ZYRTEC 10 MG 20 TAB. GLAXO SMITHKLINE 100.00 EGP (5.00/unit) CETRICHEW 10MG 20 CHEWABLE F.C. TABS. AL ROWAD PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIAL... 15.00 EGP HISTA CHEW 10 MG 20 CHEWABLE TAB. ARAB CAPS > ADVOCURE 15.00 EGP LERGFREE 5MG/5ML SYRUP 120ML DEBEIKY 9.00 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid EPIRIZINE 5MG/ML SYRUP 60 ML EIPICO 19.00 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid 3. DESLORATADINE [2nd line] Adult 5 mg once daily (adults and adolescents 12 years and over) - While symptoms persist; review at 4 weeks and reconsider the diagnosis if there is no improvement Peds Safety and efficacy of the 5 mg tablet in children under 12 years have not been established. An oral solution exists for younger children with its own age-banded dosing; efficacy data in 12-17 year olds are limited. Source eMC SmPC, Neoclarityn 5 mg film-coated tablets (Organon), sections 4.1 and 4.2 Why 35 live products. Upper airway cough syndrome is driven by allergic or non-allergic rhinitis, and the SmPC indication is relief of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Once- daily, non-sedating, and the active metabolite of loratadine, so it is a cleaner choice than the cetirizine already listed for a patient who finds cetirizine sedating. Caution An antihistamine only helps the allergic form of upper airway cough syndrome. The intranasal steroid already in this row is the more effective component - do not substitute one for the other. Desloratadine is the same class as the cetirizine already listed - use one, not both. Use with caution in severe renal impairment; exposure is about 2.5 times higher. Caution where there is a personal or family history of seizures, particularly in young children. Contains lactose - avoid in galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose- galactose malabsorption. Prefer to avoid in pregnancy; it passes into breast milk. Egypt DESLARGYL 5 MG 10 F.C.TABS. KAHIRA 3.50 EGP (0.35/unit) ORDESCA 5 MG 20 F.C.TABS. RAMEDA 20.00 EGP (1.00/unit) STIMLORIC 5 MG 20 F.C.TABS. SPIMACO MISR 27.75 EGP (1.39/unit) DELAREX 5 MG 20 F.C.TABS. GLOBAL NAPI P... 48.00 EGP (2.40/unit) HYGI-TADINE 5 MG 20 F.C.TABS. DBK PHARMA > ... 48.00 EGP (2.40/unit) AERIUS 5 MG 20 F.C.TABS. SCHERING PLOU... 118.00 EGP (5.90/unit) ALERGAWAY 5 MG 20 ORAL DISINTEG. TABS. EGPI > JASPER FOR PHARMACEUTICAL ... 36.00 EGP EMBANODEX 5 MG 20 ORALLY DISINTEGRATING TABS. EGPI > CHAMPIONS PHARMA (PAS) 66.00 EGP ENDSTAMINE 2.5MG/5ML SYPUP 120 ML MASH PREMIERE 7.00 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid SILISTARKISH 2.5MG/5ML SYP. 120 ML ALPAC > EGPI 7.50 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy. ``` --- Dawaa Reference is a reference for prescribers, not a medical device, and does not replace clinical judgement. [Privacy policy](/privacy)