Hartig Drug Company has expanded its product lineup by adding Nefense nasal care products at select locations in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, offering customers new drug-free options for daily nasal hygiene. The move underscores a growing trend towards non-medicated solutions for respiratory wellness, particularly as consumers seek alternatives to traditional decongestants.
The new assortment brings together two companies with roots in Dubuque. Hartig Drug was founded in Dubuque in 1904 and has served generations of families across the Tri-State Area. Developed in Dubuque by Richard Downs, DDS, Nefense is backed by over forty years of clinical expertise in oral health, breathing, and airway function. This local synergy is more than a business decision; it reflects a commitment to community-based health solutions.
"We are excited to offer Nefense nasal solutions at Hartig drug stores," said Charlie Hartig, CEO of Hartig Drug Company. "There is real meaning in this too: a Dubuque developed product line now on Hartig shelves, reaching the communities we serve together."
The Nefense products available at participating Hartig Drug stores include Hyponasal, a hypochlorous acid nasal spray that contains HOCl for routine nasal cleansing; Hyponasal Junior, formulated specifically for children; Hypobaby, an ultra-gentle spray for infants; and Xyloclean, a xylitol-based spray for moisturizing. These products are designed to rinse away everyday dust, pollen, and airborne particles without medication or steroids.
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a natural component of human biology, produced by white blood cells as part of the body's innate immune response. The molecule has been studied in several areas of medicine. Published randomized clinical research has evaluated low-concentration hypochlorous acid nasal irrigation in people with chronic sinonasal symptoms and allergic rhinitis. While those studies were not of Nefense-branded products, they highlight the potential benefits of HOCl in nasal care.
"I believe hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is still in its infancy in terms of its role in medicine, as more applications continue to be discovered," said F. Hunter Fuerste, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist in Dubuque. "It is a gentle, nontoxic, naturally occurring molecule produced by white blood cells that has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Today, HOCl is being used in areas including skincare, wound care, eyelid hygiene for blepharitis, and oral rinses."
For Hartig Drug, adding Nefense fits a long-standing focus on bringing health, wellness and everyday consumer products to the communities it serves, including products developed by local and regional businesses. Nefense focuses on daily nasal hygiene, offering an alternative to medicated decongestants. The assortment gives customers nasal care options across different ages and needs, from adults to infants.
The addition also brings a locally developed health and wellness product from Dubuque into a pharmacy company that has called Dubuque home for more than 120 years. This partnership exemplifies how local businesses can collaborate to provide innovative health solutions while supporting the local economy.
Nefense products are available now at participating Hartig Drug locations. Customers can visit Hartig Drug store locator to find a nearby store and contact the location directly to confirm product availability. For more information about Nefense, visit Nefense's website.
