Nasal Dilators
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
Overall, evidence is limited in supporting the use of nasal dilator strips such as Breathe Right Nasal Strips for the treatment of nasal symptoms due to a cold. Evidence does show that these products can improve objective measurements of nasal air flow as well as subjective improvements in the sensation of nasal openness in patients with chronic nasal obstruction (1). However, improvements in the duration or intensity of nasal congestion due to a cold has not been established. One area that has demonstrated beneficial outcomes is for reducing snoring in conjunction with nasal symptoms (2). The use of nasal dilator strips has been shown to reduce the total amount of snoring in patients with chronic rhinitis but unable to improve overall quality or duration of sleep (2).
Therefore, patients that wish to utilize a non-pharmacologic approach or that snore in conjunction with nasal symptoms may see benefit in the use of nasal dilator strips (3). Additional benefits can be contributed to their immediate effects and lack of drug side effects (3). However, due to their lack of efficacy in reducing nasal symptoms attributed to a cold, patients may not see significant improvement in duration or intensity of symptoms compared to other products or by letting the illness run its course.
References:
1. Hoyvoll LR, et al. Effects of an external nasal dilator strip (ENDS) compared to xylometazolin nasal spray. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol, 2007; 264: 1289-1294.
2. Pevernagie D, et al. External nasal dilation reduces snoring in chronic rhinitis patients: a randomised controlled trial. European Respiratory Journal, 2000; 15: 996-1000.
3. Pelegrin GM and Girola G. Fed Up with Being Stuffed Up: Help for Nasal Congestion. Pharmacy Times Publications, 2005. http://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/issue/2005/2005-10/2005-10-4925. Accessed March 10 2014.
Overall, evidence is limited in supporting the use of nasal dilator strips such as Breathe Right Nasal Strips for the treatment of nasal symptoms due to a cold. Evidence does show that these products can improve objective measurements of nasal air flow as well as subjective improvements in the sensation of nasal openness in patients with chronic nasal obstruction (1). However, improvements in the duration or intensity of nasal congestion due to a cold has not been established. One area that has demonstrated beneficial outcomes is for reducing snoring in conjunction with nasal symptoms (2). The use of nasal dilator strips has been shown to reduce the total amount of snoring in patients with chronic rhinitis but unable to improve overall quality or duration of sleep (2).
Therefore, patients that wish to utilize a non-pharmacologic approach or that snore in conjunction with nasal symptoms may see benefit in the use of nasal dilator strips (3). Additional benefits can be contributed to their immediate effects and lack of drug side effects (3). However, due to their lack of efficacy in reducing nasal symptoms attributed to a cold, patients may not see significant improvement in duration or intensity of symptoms compared to other products or by letting the illness run its course.
References:
1. Hoyvoll LR, et al. Effects of an external nasal dilator strip (ENDS) compared to xylometazolin nasal spray. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol, 2007; 264: 1289-1294.
2. Pevernagie D, et al. External nasal dilation reduces snoring in chronic rhinitis patients: a randomised controlled trial. European Respiratory Journal, 2000; 15: 996-1000.
3. Pelegrin GM and Girola G. Fed Up with Being Stuffed Up: Help for Nasal Congestion. Pharmacy Times Publications, 2005. http://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/issue/2005/2005-10/2005-10-4925. Accessed March 10 2014.