METHOD OF APPLICATION OF DRUGS TO THE NASAL MUCOSA: A COMPARISON OF NASAL DROPS, SPRAYS AND INHALERS

INTRODUCTION The choice of drugs for use in rhinologic practice has occupied much of the literature of rhinology, but the question of the most desirable method of administration has been the source of only limited investigation. The purpose of any method of administration is to apply the therapeutic agent to as large an area of the nasal mucosa as possible with a minimum of trauma or damage. Ease of administration and adaptation to self medication are important secondary considerations. In any comparison of different methods of application of drugs to the nasal mucosa some drug must be sought that will lend itself to all methods of administration being studied. Thus an investigation of the use of nasal drops, nasal sprays and volatile inhalers requires an agent that can be used either in solution or in volatile form. Certain of the synthetic vasoconstrictor amines lend themselves admirably to this requirement. The