Nasal preparations

What are Nasal preparations?

Nasal preparations are products applied in the nose to treat conditions of the nose or nasal symptoms. They include medicines such as nasal steroids, lubricants, antihistamines and decongestants and anti-infectives, used to treat hay fever symptoms, congestion and infections. Nasal preparations are available as sprays, drops, creams, ointments and solutions for irrigation.

Nasal preparations are usually solutions or suspensions administered by drops or as a fine mist from a nasal spray container, which could include an aerosol with a metered valve. Otic or ear preparations are usually very viscous so that they may have contact with the affected area.

Examples include naloxone (opioid overdose), sumatriptan (migraines), Baqsimi^®(glucagon for diabetics), and diazepam (epilepsy). Delivery to the olfactory region of the nasal cavity allows direct access to the CNS for some neurological medications.

It helps add moisture inside the nose to dissolve and soften thick or crusty mucus. In babies and young children with stuffy noses who cannot blow their noses, using this product helps to make the mucus easier to remove with a nasal bulb syringe. This helps relieve stuffiness and makes breathing easier.

The nasal process (processus nasalis) of the incisive bone, formerly called ‘the rising branch’ is more developed than the palatine process. Flattened from one side to the other, it rises on the side of the rostral opening of the nasal cavity, towards the nasal bone.

Mupirocin nasal ointment is used to treat or prevent infections in the nose due to certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This medicine works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth.

Drug delivery market of nasal products by dosage form

Proper name .	Dosage form .	Indication .
Sodium chloride	Spray	Nasal cleanser
Tetrizolina	Spray, metered	Nasal congestion
Triamcinolone	Aerosol, metered	Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis; nasal polyps
Xylometazoline	Spray	Nasal congestion

Nasal Preparations

Drug	Drug Description
Antazoline	An antihistamine agent used for the symptomatic treatment of nasal congestion and allergic conjunctivitis.
Hyaluronic acid	A glycosaminoglycan used for the relief of joint pain, wound healing, ophthalmologic treatment, cosmetic treatment, and various other applications.

Examples of combination nasal decongestants include:

Advil Cold and Sinus®: Contains ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine.
Claritin-D®: Contains loratadine and pseudoephedrine.
Tylenol Sinus Severe Congestion Daytime®: Contains acetaminophen, guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine.
Zyrtec-D®: Contains cetirizine and pseudoephedrine.