Systemic nasal sprays
Systemic nasal sprays do not act locally in the nose, but are effective throughout the body. The nasal mucous membrane is very well supplied with blood, and is therefore ideally suited for the absorption of certain active ingredients into the body’s circulation. For example, in contrast to oral administration, the gastrointestinal tract is bypassed and the desired effect can be achieved more quickly.
The two most common systemic nasal sprays are Fetanyl nasal spray belongs to the so-called opioids (‘opiates’) and falls under the narcotics law. It is used for strong pain episodes in the context of tumor diseases. The great advantage of the nasal spray is the very fast action time of about 10 minutes.
Comparable opioids, e.g. taken as tablets, have a much later effect. In certain disease patterns, such as central diabetes insipidus, there is a disorder in the formation of antidiuretic hormone, ADH for short (also known as vasopressin). As a result, the body excretes up to 25 liters of urine per day (polyuria) and develops a great sense of thirst (polydipsia).
Synthetically produced desmopressin is similar to the body’s own hormone ADH and can thus imitate its effect. Until 2007, the nasal spray was also approved as a therapy for nocturnal bed-wetting in children. Due to dangerous side effects, however, it may now only be used for these purposes in tablet form.
