Could a common decongestant plus steroid spray finally ease stubborn stuffy noses?
NCT ID NCT06830109
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether using two over-the-counter nasal sprays together—oxymetazoline (Afrin) and budesonide (Rhinocort)—works better than steroid spray alone for people with chronic nasal obstruction that hasn't improved with standard treatment. About 80 adults who have tried steroid sprays without success will be randomly assigned to receive either the combination or steroid alone for 4 weeks. The main goal is to see how many people report meaningful improvement in their nasal breathing.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Oxymetazoline (Afrin) and budesonide (Rhinocort) nasal sprays
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a new long-term treatment option for people with chronic nasal blockage that hasn't improved with standard steroid sprays alone.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early-phase trial (80 people) testing a combination not yet proven safe or effective for long-term use. There is a risk of rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa) with continued decongestant use.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Washington University
RECRUITINGSt Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
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