Questions, answered plainly
How long should I wait before getting treatment?
Most sinusitis improves within 2–3 weeks without antibiotics. Treatment is usually only considered after about 10 days with no improvement.
Is the NHS service free?
Yes — for anyone aged 12 and over, sinusitis is covered free under NHS Pharmacy First.
Do I need antibiotics for sinusitis?
Usually not. Most acute sinusitis is viral and self-limiting, and antibiotics make little difference to how long it lasts. Our pharmacist follows the NICE stepwise approach: self-care first, then a high-dose steroid nasal spray for prolonged symptoms. An antibiotic is only a back-up when several features suggest a bacterial cause — discoloured nasal discharge, fever, severe one-sided facial pain, or marked worsening after an initial milder phase.
What if I'm allergic to penicillin?
Tell our pharmacist during your consultation — a penicillin allergy does not rule out treatment. Where an antibiotic is genuinely justified, penicillin-allergic patients are offered clarithromycin instead of phenoxymethylpenicillin. Before supplying it, our pharmacist checks your other medicines, as clarithromycin interacts with several drugs including certain statins and warfarin, and asks about any heart-rhythm history, because these can make it unsuitable.
How long does the steroid nasal spray take to work?
It usually takes a few days to start working, so keep using it as directed. The spray can improve symptoms, although it is unlikely to change how long the illness lasts overall. Using it for sinusitis is off-label, which our pharmacist explains and documents during the consultation. Common side effects include nosebleeds and nasal irritation. If there is no improvement after 14 days, you will be reassessed.
