Author: Bob Brensel | President, Pharmacist | ScriptWorks
Bob Brensel, RPh, earned his Pharmacy Degree at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California in 1980. Former California Pharmacists Association’s Award Winner for Recognition of Outstanding Achievement in Compounding Pharmacy. Read More →
A Breath of Fresh Air
The human nasal sinus is a remarkable system that plays a crucial role in respiratory health. As individuals seek innovative ways to promote sinus health, compounded nasal sinus rinses have emerged as a promising solution. In this blog post, we will delve into the concept of compounded nasal sinus rinses, exploring their potential benefits and shedding light on how they may provide a breath of fresh air for those seeking relief from sinus-related issues.
Ear, nose, and throat specialists throughout the Bay Area often order these customized sinus rinses for their patients at ScriptWorks.
Understanding Compounded Nasal Sinus Rinses
Nasal sinus rinses involve flushing the nasal passages with a saline solution to remove irritants, allergens, and mucus. Compounded nasal sinus rinses take this practice a step further by incorporating custom formulations tailored to an individual’s specific needs.
Our team can work with prescribers in California to create personalized nasal capsules that patients add to a NeilMed™ container with a salt packet and distilled water to make customized sinus rinse solutions. These therapies may be effective considering factors such as allergies, sensitivities, and the severity of sinus conditions. NeilMed™ is a trademark of NeilMed Pharmaceuticals.
Potential Benefits of Compounded Nasal Sinus Rinses
There are a number of reasons why CA doctors are prescribing compounded sinus rinses for their patients. Let’s go over a couple.
Customized Formulations
One of the primary advantages of compounded nasal sinus rinses is the ability to create personalized formulations. This ensures that individuals receive a sinus rinse solution that caters to their unique needs, helping to promote maximum effectiveness and comfort.
Allergy Management
Compounded sinus rinses can be tailored to address specific allergies, helping to alleviate symptoms related to seasonal or environmental triggers. This customization may make a significant difference for individuals who suffer from chronic sinus issues exacerbated by allergies.
Reduced Irritation and Sensitivity
Some individuals may experience irritation or sensitivity to commercially available nasal rinse products. Compounded formulations allow for adjustments in the concentration of ingredients to potentially minimize irritation while maintaining efficacy.
Chronic Sinusitis Relief
For individuals dealing with chronic sinusitis, compounded nasal sinus rinses can be a valuable component of their medication plan. The personalized nature of these rinses may contribute to possibly more effective management of symptoms associated with chronic sinus conditions.
Reducing BioFilm
According to numerous studies in Rhinology, Xylitol has potential to reduce chronic rhinosinusitis biofilms. The filler in our nasal capsules is primarily Xylitol. Therefore, it is possible to rinse with these capsules — you can thin the mucus caused by biofilms while addressing the infection or inflammatory component in the sinuses as well.
Preservative-Free Options
Compounded nasal sinus rinses can be prepared without certain preservatives that may cause discomfort or adverse reactions in some individuals. This is particularly beneficial for those with sensitivities to common preservatives found in over-the-counter nasal products.
How Compounded Nasal Sinus Rinses Work
Compounded nasal sinus rinses typically consist of a saline solution combined with various additives depending on the individual’s needs. Some common ingredients include:
- Distilled Water: This can be purchased at your grocery store. A base solution that helps flush out irritants and mucus from the nasal passages.
- Antibiotics or antifungal agents: Added when bacterial or fungal infections are present.
- Steroids: Used to reduce inflammation in cases of chronic sinusitis or nasal polyps.
- Antihistamines: Included to address allergy-related symptoms.
It’s important to note that the specific formulation will depend on the individual’s diagnosis and healthcare provider recommendations.
The Bay Area’s Most Trusted Compounding Pharmacy: ScriptWorks
Compounded nasal sinus rinses represent a personalized approach to promoting sinus health. By tailoring the solution to individual needs, compounded formulations may offer a breath of fresh air for those seeking relief from sinus-related issues.
If you’re considering incorporating compounded nasal sinus rinses into your sinus care routine, consult with a healthcare professional and our team at ScriptWorks to create a compounded formulation that suits your unique needs. And potentially promote optimal respiratory well-being.
Supportive Studies on Xylitol
Loimaranta, V., Mazurel, D., Deng, D, & Söderling, E. (2020). Xylitol and erythritol inhibit real-time biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans. BMC Microbiol. 2020 Jun 29;20(1):184. doi: 10.1186/s12866-020-01867-8.PMID: 32600259. Read on >>
Jain, R., Lee, T., Hardcastle, T., Biswas, K., Radcliff, F., & Douglas, R. (2016) The in vitro effect of xylitol on chronic rhinosinusitis biofilms. Rhinology. 2016 Dec 1;54(4):323-328. doi: 10.4193/Rhino15.380. Read on >>
Hon, K., Liu, S., Cooksley, C., Vreugde, S., & Psaltis, A.J. (2022). Low pH nasal rinse solution enhances mupirocin antimicrobial efficacy. Rhinology. 2022 Jun 1;60(3):218-228. doi: 10.4193/Rhin21.495. Read on >>
Lee, H.J. et al. (2015). Synergistic inhibition of Streptococcal biofilm by ribose and xylitol. Arch Oral Biol. 2015 Feb;60(2):304-12. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2014.11.004. Read on >>