Overview
This study examined the impact of a topical decongestant on nasal mucosal blood flow in both healthy individuals and those with early-stage acute rhinitis. Using the 133Xe wash-out method, researchers measured blood flow before and after administering the decongestant. Researchers measured changes in blood flow following the application of various doses of oxymetazoline.
The Takeaways
- In the early stages of acute rhinitis, a statistically significant increase in blood flow was initially observed.
- Therapeutic doses of oxymetazoline significantly reduced nasal mucosal blood flow in both healthy individuals and those with acute rhinitis, with a more pronounced effect in those with rhinitis.
- The decongestant’s effect on blood flow was dose dependent—even very low doses (1/50th of the standard therapeutic dose) produced a significant reduction in blood flow.
Why It Matters
This study highlights the potent vasoconstrictive effect of oxymetazoline, which is essential for relieving nasal congestion by reducing mucosal blood flow. Importantly, the data suggest that lower doses may be just as effective, offering a potential strategy to minimize side effects—such as excessive dryness or rebound congestion—associated with overuse or high dosing of decongestants.
The Link to Allermi
Allermi formulates its nasal treatments with micro-doses of oxymetazoline—the lowest therapeutically effective concentrations—to maximize congestion relief while minimizing risk. This approach is directly supported by this study’s findings, which show that even very small amounts of oxymetazoline can produce significant reductions in nasal blood flow. Allermi’s precision-dosed formulations are carefully tailored to strike the optimal balance between efficacy and safety.
For more details, refer to the full study: The effect of topical decongestant on blood flow in normal and infected nasal mucosa.
