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 new assortment brings together two companies with roots in Dubuque, Iowa. 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.
“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.” This move reflects Hartig Drug's long-standing focus on bringing health, wellness, and everyday consumer products to its communities, including products developed by local and regional businesses.
The Nefense products available at participating Hartig Drug stores include Hyponasal, a hypochlorous acid (HOCl) nasal spray for routine nasal cleansing; Hyponasal Junior, formulated for children; Hypobaby, an ultra-gentle option for infants and young children; and Xyloclean, a xylitol nasal spray designed to moisturize nasal passages. These products are designed to support daily nasal hygiene, offering an alternative to medicated decongestants.
Hypochlorous acid is a natural component of human biology. White blood cells produce HOCl as part of the body's innate immune response. Published randomized clinical research has evaluated low-concentration hypochlorous acid nasal irrigation in people with chronic sinonasal symptoms and allergic rhinitis, though those studies were not of Nefense-branded products. “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.”
The availability of Nefense products at Hartig Drug stores underscores the importance of local innovation and community partnership. For more than 120 years, Hartig Drug has been a family-owned pharmacy and retail company serving communities throughout Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, providing community pharmacy services and a continued focus on personalized service. Nefense, based in Dubuque, focuses on daily nasal hygiene, airway care, and better breathing, with a portfolio that includes HypoNasal, HypoNasal Junior, HypoBaby, and XyloClean. Customers can visit hartigdrug.com/stores to find a nearby location and contact the store directly to confirm product availability. To learn more about Nefense, visit nefense.com.
