A randomized, double-blind study conducted by researchers from the University of Cincinnati has shown that a capsaicin nasal spray available over the counter significantly relieved nasal congestion, sinus pain, sinus pressure, and headache in patients with non-allergic rhinitis compared to placebo. The article appears in the August 2011 edition of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
The two-week study involved 42 patients who received either a placebo or a nasal spray called ICX72, which is marketed in the US as “Sinus Buster” and contains capsicum annum and eucalyptol. Average time to first relief for ICX72 was approximately 53 seconds, and patients using the product experienced no difference in adverse events compared to placebo. “Basically, we concluded that the spray was safe and effective on non-allergic rhinitis,” said lead author Jonathan Bernstein.
The study was funded by Dynova Laboratories, which markets Sinus Buster. Dynova acquired the company that developed the product, called SiCap Industries, in 2008.
Read the abstract.
Read a University of Cincinnati press release.
