EFFECT OF NASAL DECONGESTANTS ON NASAL MUCOUS VELOCITY

Abstract
Nasal mucus velocity was measured in 13 healthy nonsmokers before and 10 min after topical application of 2 .alpha.-adrenergic nasal decongestant sprays, phenylephrine and tetrahydrozoline. Phenylephrine increased nasal mucus velocity from 8.4 .+-. 2.7 mm/min (mean .+-. SD) to 13.7 .+-. 4.8 mm/min and tetrahydrozoline from 8.1 .+-. 3.8 mm/min (mean .+-. SD) to 13.8 .+-. 5.1 mm/min. These increases were significant (P < 0.01) when compared to topical application of phenylephrine and tetrahydrozoline vehicles, normal saline and sham (empty aerosol container).