The effect of nasal decongestant on nasal mucous velocity

Nasal mucous velocity was measured in 13 healthy nonsmokers before and 10 min after topical application of 2 alpha adrenergic nasal decongestant sprays, phenylephrine and tetrahydrozoline. Phenylephrine increased nasal mucous velocity from 8.4 +/- 2.7 mm per min (mean +/- SD) to 13.7 +/- 4.8 mm per min and tetrahydrozoline from 8.1 +/- 3.8 mm per min (mean +/- SD) to 13.8 +/- 5.1 mm per min. These increases were significant (P less than 0.01) when compared to topical application of phenylephrine and tetrahydrozoline vehicles, normal saline, and sham (empty aerosol container).