In some situations, the nasal delivery route is preferred for systemic therapy because it provides an agreeable alternative to injection or pills.

Many pharmaceutical drugs exist as nasal sprays for systemic administration (e.g. sedative-analgesics, treatments for migraine, osteoporosis and nausea).

Antihistamines work by competing for receptor sites to block the function of histamine, thereby reducing the inflammatory effect.

They can also relieve nasal congestion and remove airborne irritants such as pollen and dust thereby providing sinus allergy relief.

Isotonic saline nasal sprays are commonly used in infants and children to wash out the thick mucus from the nose in case of allergic rhinitis.

Natural nasal sprays that include chemical complexes derived from plant sources such as ginger, capsaicin and tea-tree oil are also available.