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 companies with deep roots in Dubuque, Iowa, and underscores a shared commitment to community health and wellness.
Hartig Drug, founded in 1904, has served generations of families across the Tri-State Area. Nefense, developed in Dubuque by Richard Downs, DDS, is backed by over forty years of clinical expertise in oral health, breathing, and airway function. The collaboration is a point of pride for Hartig Drug’s leadership. “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 line available at participating Hartig Drug stores includes several products designed for different age groups and needs. Hyponasal is a hypochlorous acid (HOCl) nasal spray for routine nasal cleansing, formulated to rinse away everyday dust, pollen, and airborne particles without medication or steroids. Hyponasal Junior is an HOCl spray specifically for children, while Hypobaby is an ultra-gentle HOCl spray for infants and young children. Xyloclean, a xylitol-based spray, moisturizes nasal passages and supports daily nasal care, especially in dry indoor conditions or during travel.
Hypochlorous acid is a natural substance produced by white blood cells as part of the body’s immune response. Research has explored its potential in various medical applications. Published randomized clinical trials have evaluated low-concentration HOCl nasal irrigation in people with chronic sinonasal symptoms and allergic rhinitis, though these studies did not involve Nefense-branded products specifically. The growing interest in HOCl is reflected in the views of local medical professionals. “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 aligns with its long-standing focus on offering health, wellness, and everyday consumer products, including those from local and regional businesses. The new assortment provides customers with an alternative to medicated decongestants, emphasizing daily nasal hygiene and preventive care. The products cater to diverse needs, from adults to infants, and include an HOCl nasal spray for adults, age-specific sprays for children, and a xylitol spray for moisturizing.
The addition of Nefense also highlights the synergy between two Dubuque-based companies. Nefense, a nasal wellness company, focuses on daily hygiene and better breathing, while Hartig Drug has been a community pharmacy staple for over 120 years. This partnership brings a locally developed health product to a wider audience, reinforcing the importance of supporting regional innovation.
Nefense products are now available at participating Hartig Drug locations. Customers can visit hartigdrug.com/stores to find a nearby store and check product availability. For more information about Nefense and its product line, visit nefense.com.
