Zydus Nasoclear® Saline Nasal Spray vs Otrivin Oxy Fast Relief for congested/runny nose
A stuffy nose is never a comfortable experience; it can significantly impact your daily routine and overall well-being. Simple tasks become more challenging as congestion makes it harder to breathe, focus, or even sleep properly. Whether at work, during exercise, or when trying to relax, the discomfort of a blocked nose can be distracting and frustrating, leading to decreased productivity and a sense of fatigue. To assist you, two popular nasal sprays—Zydus Nasoclear® Saline Nasal Spray and GSK Otrivin Oxy Fast Relief—are widely available in India and can provide quick relief. However, with both being commonly used, it might leave you confused about which one to choose. So let's explore these two nasal sprays for congested nose.
Zydus Nasoclear® Saline Nasal Spray
It contains isotonic saline water and small amount of preservative. Being isotonic in nature, it helps to clear out excess mucus from your nose. It also drains any allergen such as pollens, dust or any small particles trapped in nose. By clearing the nasal passage it indirectly helps in reducing inflammation in nasal tissue. As per company's claim, It can be used repeatedly without any adverse effect as it does not contain any "harsh chemical".
What's inside?
1. Sodium Chloride IP 0.65% W/V in purified water made isotonic and buffered: It is an active ingredient of this spray and helps in mucus clearance, moisturization, sinus drainage and indirectly reduction in inflammation.
(Safety: Good)
2. Benzalkonium chloride 0.01% W/V: It is a preservative that keeps nasal spray from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. A spoiled nasal drops are potential hazard that can directly introduce pathogens to your upper respiratory track. So preservative is an important part of any nasal spray. But this preservative has shown to be toxic to humans in recent research. It does not only affect nasal tissues but also alter the function of immune system. It is also shown to cause asthma. All these effects are pronounced when it is used in large quantities. But this spray contains only 0.01% concentration hence it is safe for occasional use despite company's claim for regular use.
(Safety: Moderate)
Otrivin Oxy Fast Relief Nasal spray by GSK
Compared to saline preparation, this one acts faster and gives relief instantly as it contains strong sympathomimetic drug. The drug binds to the specific receptors in nasal tissue which leads to constriction of blood vessel. Since widened blood vessels (vasodilation) causes the congestion (stuffy) nose, constriction of blood vessels undo the congestion. You can get relief from congestion withing few minutes as it is a fast acting drug.
What's inside?
1. Xylometazoline hydrochloride: A sympathomimetic drug that reduce swelling and inflammation in nasal tissues. Although it is very efficient in treating the congested nose it cannot be used regularly for more than three days. It causes dryness of nasal mucosa which itself is another problem. If it is used regularly the body is desensitized to the drug and congestion is rebounded.
(Safety: Moderate)
2. Benzalkolnium Chloride: It is the same preservative used in Zydus Nasoclear® nasal spray.
Which one to use?
Zydus Nasoclear® Saline Nasal Spray has better safety profile than Otrivin Oxy Fast Relief but it is not very effective at decongestion. It keeps inner environment moist and clean and provide best opportunity for immune system to "self-resolve" the congestion with minimal side effect. The quantity of preservative is too small to cause any significant effect for short term acute congestion treatment. Meanwhile Otrivin Oxy Fast Relief instantly acts on nasal tissues and cause constriction of blood vessel thus decreasing blood flow and increasing air flow. Although it might not be suitable for long term use it provides immediate relief from blocked nose hence you don't need to cancel your important business trip.
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