ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Recent technical developments allow preservative-free nasal drug application in multi-dose systems. New pharmaceutical formulations for better tolerable nasal sprays are now possible and consequently reformulations introduced to the market. Therefore, a representative and systematic overview on comparable products is mandatory. METHODS: Marketed nasal products in the indication groups: decongestants, antiallergics, care and wound-healing, hormones and saline solutions were tested for their cytotoxic properties according to DIN EN 30 993 - 5, pH, and osmolality. RESULTS: In all indication groups reformulation to preservative-free application resulted in significant increase of cell growth and reduction of cytotoxicity. Physico-chemical galenic properties are of considerable importance too. With decongestants tolerability is dependant on the concentration of the active compound. CONCLUSIONS: Our data lead to the conclusion that preserved nasal sprays are obsolete, when preservative-free alternatives are available. Attention should be paid to galenic properties and dosage of the active.
