xylitol + grapefruit seed extract

A **combination intranasal spray** containing xylitol and grapefruit seed extract (GSE), most commonly formulated under the brand Xlear, marketed as a drug-free, over-the-counter nasal spray for symptomatic relief of congestion and as an adjunct in respiratory infections. **Xylitol** is a sugar alcohol with known antimicrobial and anti-adhesive properties against bacteria and some viruses, while **Grapefruit Seed Extract** is a citrus-derived mixture containing bioactive compounds (including flavonoids, polyphenols, organic acids), and in commercial GSE, frequently certain quaternary ammonium compounds, believed to confer broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant activity. The exact antiviral mechanism of this combination is not fully elucidated, but clinical case series and in vitro evidence have suggested **potential virucidal activity against enveloped respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2**, possibly by reducing viral load in the nasal mucosa and limiting pathogen entry via the ACE2-rich nasal epithelium. The spray is typically used as an adjunct, not a replacement for standard of care, and marketed for mild to moderate upper respiratory symptoms. Its safety profile is generally favorable, with no serious safety issues reported in published cases[1][3].

Brand names

Xlear Nasal SprayXlear Rescue Nasal Spray

Other names

xylitol plus grapefruit seed extractxylitol & grapefruit seed extractxylitol and grapefruit seed extract