Hartig Drug Company has announced the addition of Nefense® nasal care products at select locations in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, expanding its health and wellness offerings with drug-free options for daily nasal hygiene. The move pairs two Dubuque-founded businesses: Hartig Drug, established in 1904, and Nefense, developed by Richard Downs, DDS, with over four decades of clinical expertise in oral health, breathing, and airway function.
Charlie Hartig, CEO of Hartig Drug Company, emphasized the significance of the collaboration: “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.” The product lineup includes Hyponasal, an HOCl nasal spray for routine cleansing; Hyponasal Junior, designed for children; Hypobaby, an ultra-gentle option for infants; and Xyloclean, a xylitol-based moisturizing spray. These products are available at participating stores, and customers can check availability by visiting Hartig Drug store locator.
Nefense products are based on hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a molecule naturally produced by white blood cells as part of the body’s immune response. Published clinical research has evaluated low-concentration HOCl nasal irrigation in people with chronic sinonasal symptoms and allergic rhinitis, though these studies were not specific to Nefense products. F. Hunter Fuerste, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist in Dubuque, noted, “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 aligns with its commitment to providing health and wellness products, including those from local businesses. The Nefense assortment offers an alternative to medicated decongestants, addressing nasal hygiene across different ages. This partnership brings a locally developed product to a pharmacy chain that has served the region for over a century, reinforcing both companies’ ties to Dubuque. Nefense products are now available at participating Hartig Drug locations, and customers can find a nearby store through the store finder or contact the store directly to confirm availability.
