Abstract
Background
Oxymetazoline and xylometazoline are locally effective and direct acting drugs that relieve nasal congestion. The aim of this study was to objectively determine and compare the decongestive effects of oxymetazoline and xylometazoline in healthy subjects.
Methods
The study population comprised thirty healthy adults. All subjects underwent active anterior rhinomanometry (AARhm) and acoustic rhinometry (AR) tests following the application of oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, or placebo (physiological saline). The change in nasal resistance, nasal airflow, and different cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the nasal cavity in the subjects were examined for each solution separately. The measurements were obtained over a 1-h period (baseline and 1, 15, 30, and 60 min post-dosing). All results were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test and the Mann–Whitney U test.
Results
A total of 6,300 measurements of AARhm and AR were obtained. The application of placebo did not cause a statistically significant change in nasal resistance, nasal airflow, and CSAs (CSA1, 2, and 3, respectively) of the nasal cavity. In contrast, statistically significant changes in nasal resistance (inspiration p = 0.000 and p = 0.004; expiration p = 0.000 and p = 0.000), nasal airflow (inspiration p = 0.000 and p = 0.004; expiration p = 0.000 and p = 0.000), and CSAs of the nasal cavity (CSA2 p = 0.000 and p = 0.000, CSA3 p = 0.000 and p = 0.00), with the exception of CSA1 (p = 0.982 and p = 0.994), were obtained after the application of oxymetazoline and xylometazoline. A comparison of oxymetazoline and xylometazoline based on nasal resistance, nasal airflow, and CSAs of the nasal cavity demonstrated no statistically significant difference, except for CSA3.
Conclusion
Oxymetazoline and xylometazoline are fast-acting and potent topical decongestants that have similar decongestive effects.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Zhang G, Solomon P, Rival R, Fenton RS, Cole P (2008) Nasal airway volume and resistance to airflow. Am J Rhinol 22:371–375
Passali D, Mezzedimi C, Passali GC, Nuti D, Bellusi L (2000) The role of rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, and mucociliary transport time in the assessment of nasal patency. Ear Nose Throat J 79:397–400
Naito K, Iwata S (1997) Current advances in rhinomanometry. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 254:309–312
Clement PAR, Gordts F (2005) Consensus report on acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry. Rhinology 43:169–179
Bickford L, Shakib S, Taverner D (1999) The nasal airways response in normal subjects to oxymetazoline spray: randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial. Br J Clin Pharmacol 48:53–56
Eccles R, Eriksson M, Garreffa S, Chen SC (2008) The nasal decongestant effect of xylometazoline in the common cold. Am J Rhinol 22:491–496
Connell JT, Linzmayer I (1987) Comparison of nasal airway patency changes after treatment with oxymetazoline and pseudoephedrine. Am J Rhinol 1:87–94
Nathan RA, Eccles R, Howarth PE, Steinsvag SK, Togias A (2005) Objective monitoring of nasal patency and nasal physiology in rhinitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 115:S442–S459
Hochban W, Althoff H, Ziegler A (1999) Nasal decongestion with imidazoline derivatives: acoustic rhinometry measurements. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 55:7–12
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Eskiizmir, G., Hirçin, Z., Özyurt, B. et al. A comparative analysis of the decongestive effect of oxymetazoline and xylometazoline in healthy subjects. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 67, 19–23 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-010-0941-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-010-0941-z