Rizzo JA, Medeiros D, Silva AR, Sarinho E. Benzalkonium chloride and nasal mucociliary clearance: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, double-blind trial.
ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006;
20:243-7. [PMID:
16871922 DOI:
10.2500/ajr.2006.20.2867]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Benzalkonium chloride (BKC) has been considered an innocuous preservative for prescription drugs.
METHODS
We performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover, single-center trial with a 3-week washout period in 43 healthy volunteers comparing the effect of 3-week use of saline nasal spray containing BKC 0.01% to preservative-free saline t.i.d. on nasal mucociliary clearance rate. Evaluations were done at the beginning and the end of each period by gamma-scintigraphy with technetium99m-labeled strontium.
RESULTS
Nasal mucociliary clearance rate was significantly impaired by BKC with a difference of 1.23 mm x min(-1) (p < 0.01) between periods.
CONCLUSION
BKC in the concentration used in nasal preparations impaired mucociliary clearance in healthy individuals after 3 weeks of use. Presently, when preservative-free alternatives are available, BKC could be a risk without benefit.
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