A Comparative Study of Nasal Decongestion by Sympathomimetic Drugs

The current widespread use of about 15 sympathomimetic drugs to decongest the nasal mucosa has provoked the question of their comparative effects. There are two approaches in obtaining direct evidence for nasal decongestion. In man, there are several methods that have been introduced to measure nasal resistance (see references cited in monograph by Uddstromer,¹1940). Unfortunately, only ephedrine²and methamphetamine³have been studied with the benefit of such methods. In 1939, Jackson⁴introduced a method using dogs for assessment of nasal congestion and decongestion by closure of the posterior nares with a rubber ball and measuring intranasal pressure from the anterior nares. A reduction in intranasal pressure indicating decongestion has been reported following the intravenous injection of the following drugs: amphetamine, cyclopentamine, epinephrine, ephedrine, mephentermine, methamphetamine, methylaminoheptane, phenylpropanolamine, phenylephrine,p-(2-methylaminopropyl)phenol (Pholedrine), and pseudoephedrine.⁶⁻¹¹There is no information on the ability of eight other currently