Dose-response relationship of a topical nasal decongestant: phenylpropanolamine

By means of anterior rhinomanometry, the decongestant effect of topically applied phenylpropanolamine (PPA) was evaluated in 40 patients with nasal obstruction. A dose-response relation was obtained for 0.5, 2.5 and 5.0% PPA solution, with the maximum effect (40% decongestion) found with the 2.5% solution. The decongestant effect was comparable to that induced by physical exercise (50% decongestion). It is concluded that PPA nose-drops are effective and offer an attractive alternative to some of the commonly used nasal decongestants.