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Related Concept Videos

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
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Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:16

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Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
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Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

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The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
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Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...
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Upper Respiratory Drugs: First and Second-Generation Antihistamines01:15

Upper Respiratory Drugs: First and Second-Generation Antihistamines

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Antihistamines are a class of drugs widely used to alleviate the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion. They work by inhibiting the actions of histamine, which is released by immune cells in response to allergenic substances or tissue injuries.
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Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

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Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Modeling and Simulations of Olfactory Drug Delivery with Passive and Active Controls of Nasally Inhaled Pharmaceutical Aerosols
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Modeling and Simulations of Olfactory Drug Delivery with Passive and Active Controls of Nasally Inhaled Pharmaceutical Aerosols

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Pharmacologic treatment for postviral olfactory dysfunction: a systematic review.

Lucas Harless1, Jonathan Liang1

  • 1Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA.

International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology
|February 17, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review found limited evidence for pharmacologic treatments for postviral olfactory dysfunction (PVOD). While some treatments like corticosteroids showed potential, the overall quality of studies was poor, indicating a need for more rigorous research on PVOD treatments.

Keywords:
anosmiadrug treatmenthyposmiaolfactory dysfunctionpharmacotherapypostinfectiouspostviral olfactory dysfunction

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Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pharmacology
  • Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

  • Postviral olfactory dysfunction (PVOD) is a leading cause of smell impairment.
  • Numerous treatments for PVOD exist in scientific literature.
  • Existing pharmacologic treatments for PVOD require systematic evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the literature on the effectiveness of pharmacologic treatments for PVOD.
  • To assess the quality of evidence for various PVOD treatments.
  • To identify promising therapeutic agents for smell dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Searched PubMed, Ovid, and ScienceDirect databases from 1966 to 2014.
  • Included English-language studies with original data, ≥5 subjects, measurable outcomes, and accessible treatments.
  • Two independent investigators reviewed 8 selected articles yielding data on 563 patients.

Main Results:

  • Eight pharmacologic agents were evaluated: oral/local corticosteroids, zinc sulfate, alpha lipoic acid, caroverine, vitamin A, Ginkgo biloba, and minocycline.
  • Positive outcomes were observed with oral corticosteroids, local corticosteroid injections, alpha lipoic acid, and caroverine.
  • Vitamin A, zinc sulfate, Ginkgo biloba, and minocycline did not demonstrate significant improvements in olfactory function.

Conclusions:

  • Most PVOD treatments with reported benefits lack high-quality evidence.
  • Caroverine showed promise in a Level 1b study, but results were confounded by mixed etiologies.
  • Currently, there is insufficient robust evidence to support any specific pharmacologic treatment for PVOD.