Never without Nasivin in space
NASA immediately restored the nasal spray to the list of essential drugs and gave priority to Oxymetazoline, developed by Merck, out of the several decongestant nasal drops available. Since then, this powerful nasal spray has been a stalwart of trips into space: Not only were they included in the medical kits, as the on-board pharmacies of the Apollo missions were known, and the smaller medical bag on the moon landing mission, but the space shuttles also carry nasal spray containing Oxymetazoline.
The drug was created in Merck’s laboratories in Darmstadt. At the end of the 1950s, researchers there further developed the compound that was by then already known to constrict the blood vessels in the nasal mucosa. They changed the chemical structures in order to achieve better characteristics and found success with Oxymetazoline. Initially, the substance was labelled H 990 and was tested on animals and in hospitals. And the results showed that it was outstandingly effective: the obstruction to nasal breathing was quickly and effectively eliminated. The effects are long-lasting, even overnight, and the nose drops were extremely well tolerated. It was introduced from 1961 onwards into various countries. Nasivin® is still a successful brand in Germany today.
NASA was also convinced by Oxymetazoline in view of its particularly good, quick-acting effectiveness that lasts for up to twelve hours, as well as its excellent tolerability. It is still a modern drug undergoing even more research: the latest investigations with Nasivin® have also demonstrated anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects.
NASA immediately restored the nasal spray to the list of essential drugs and gave priority to Oxymetazoline, developed by Merck, out of the several decongestant nasal drops available. Since then, this powerful nasal spray has been a stalwart of trips into space: Not only were they included in the medical kits, as the on-board pharmacies of the Apollo missions were known, and the smaller medical bag on the moon landing mission, but the space shuttles also carry nasal spray containing Oxymetazoline.
The drug was created in Merck’s laboratories in Darmstadt. At the end of the 1950s, researchers there further developed the compound that was by then already known to constrict the blood vessels in the nasal mucosa. They changed the chemical structures in order to achieve better characteristics and found success with Oxymetazoline. Initially, the substance was labelled H 990 and was tested on animals and in hospitals. And the results showed that it was outstandingly effective: the obstruction to nasal breathing was quickly and effectively eliminated. The effects are long-lasting, even overnight, and the nose drops were extremely well tolerated. It was introduced from 1961 onwards into various countries. Nasivin® is still a successful brand in Germany today.
NASA was also convinced by Oxymetazoline in view of its particularly good, quick-acting effectiveness that lasts for up to twelve hours, as well as its excellent tolerability. It is still a modern drug undergoing even more research: the latest investigations with Nasivin® have also demonstrated anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects.
