Hartig Drug Adds Nefense Nasal Care Products, Bringing Locally Developed HOCl Solutions to Tri-State Stores

Hartig Drug Company has expanded its product lineup with the addition of Nefense nasal care products at select locations across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. This move offers customers new drug-free options for daily nasal hygiene, and it also represents a meaningful collaboration between two companies rooted in Dubuque.

Hartig Drug, founded in Dubuque in 1904, has served generations of families in 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. Charlie Hartig, CEO of Hartig Drug, expressed excitement about the addition: "There is real meaning in this too: a Dubuque developed product line now on Hartig shelves, reaching the communities we serve together."

The Nefense assortment available at participating Hartig Drug stores includes several formulations designed for different age groups. Hyponasal is a hypochlorous acid (HOCl) nasal spray for routine nasal cleansing, free of medication and steroids, intended to rinse away everyday dust, pollen, and airborne particles. Hyponasal Junior is formulated for children, while Hypobaby offers an ultra-gentle option for infants and young children. Additionally, Xyloclean is a xylitol nasal spray that moisturizes nasal passages and supports daily care, particularly in dry indoor conditions or during travel.

Hypochlorous acid is a natural molecule produced by white blood cells as part of the body’s immune response. Its potential in medicine is gaining attention, as noted by Dr. F. Hunter Fuerste, 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." Published randomized clinical research has evaluated low-concentration HOCl nasal irrigation in people with chronic sinonasal symptoms and allergic rhinitis, though these studies did not involve Nefense-branded products.

The addition of Nefense aligns with Hartig Drug’s commitment to offering health, wellness, and everyday consumer products, including those developed by local businesses. By providing alternatives to medicated decongestants, Nefense focuses on daily nasal hygiene across different ages and needs. This collaboration also underscores the synergy between two Dubuque-based entities: a product line developed locally now available in a pharmacy chain that has called Dubuque home for over 120 years.

Nefense products are available now at participating Hartig Drug stores. Customers can visit hartigdrug.com/stores to find a nearby location and confirm product availability. Learn more about Nefense at nefense.com.