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 brings together two Dubuque-rooted companies: Hartig Drug, founded in 1904, and Nefense, developed by Richard Downs, DDS, with over forty years of clinical expertise in oral health, breathing, and airway function.
The new assortment includes several products designed for different age groups. Hyponasal, a hypochlorous acid (HOCl) nasal spray, is formulated for routine nasal cleansing to help rinse away everyday dust, pollen, and airborne particles. Hyponasal Junior is tailored for children, while Hypobaby offers an ultra-gentle option for infants and young children. Xyloclean, a xylitol nasal spray, focuses on moisturizing nasal passages, particularly useful during dry indoor conditions or travel.
Hypochlorous acid 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, with published randomized clinical research evaluating low-concentration HOCl nasal irrigation in people with chronic sinonasal symptoms and allergic rhinitis. Those studies evaluated HOCl nasal irrigation generally and were not studies of Nefense-branded products.
Dr. F. Hunter Fuerste, a board-certified ophthalmologist in Dubuque, commented on the potential of HOCl. 'I believe hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is still in its infancy in terms of its role in medicine, as more applications continue to be discovered. 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. This addition provides customers with nasal care options across different ages and needs, including an HOCl nasal spray for adults, age-specific sprays for children and infants, and a xylitol spray for moisturizing care.
The partnership also highlights the importance of local innovation. Charlie Hartig, CEO of Hartig Drug Company, said, 'We are excited to offer Nefense nasal solutions at Hartig drug stores. There is real meaning in this too: a Dubuque developed product line now on Hartig shelves, reaching the communities we serve together.'
Nefense products are available now at participating Hartig Drug locations. Customers can visit hartigdrug.com/stores to find a nearby store and contact the location directly to confirm product availability. For more about Nefense, visit nefense.com.
This launch comes at a time when consumers are increasingly seeking non-medicated options for everyday health maintenance. The inclusion of HOCl-based products reflects a broader trend toward natural, scientifically backed ingredients. For business leaders, this collaboration demonstrates how local companies can leverage shared community ties to bring innovative products to market, potentially influencing retail strategies in the health and wellness sector.
