The chelating agent EDTA has been used in medications and personal care formulations for many years. This ingredient can be found in numerous household products like shampoos, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, and more. It is also often prescribed to be used intranasally as a biofilm disrupter, which means it is able to break apart the biofilm that harbors bacteria in the nasal passages. This is essential for treating stubborn infections that cause chronic rhinosinusitis, especially infections and inflammation resulting from exposure to mold in a damp building. Once the biofilm is cleared with intranasal EDTA, an antibiotic or antifungal ingredient can be used to attack the infection. In most cases, doctors will prescribe EDTA in combination with another ingredient for treating mold-related illness.

Why EDTA Nasal Spray?

Resistant infections of the nasal passages and sinuses often involve the formation of biofilms that harbor bacteria and make the infection difficult to eradicate. The biofilm is a group of bacteria within a polymerized matrix. Groups of bacteria within a biofilm are often associated with chronic, persistent infections like those experienced by susceptible individuals after exposure to mold. Without removing the biofilm, antibiotic treatment will often not produce results and the patient will continue to experience symptoms of infection. EDTA chelates minerals that lead to biofilm formation and helps detach and kill biofilm cells. Once the biofilm is removed, it is easier for an antibiotic or antifungal to attack the infection. EDTA is often made in combinations with other ingredients to achieve a synergistic effect.

Synergistic Combinations with EDTA

Hydrosol Silver: Although hydrosol silver can not be made into a compounded formulation, it is still recommended by doctors and sold over-the-counter as a supplement. Silver has been used for centuries as an antimicrobial. Storage containers for water and other liquids have been made of silver to prevent microbial growth. Now hydrosol silver, sold under the brand name Argentyn 23, is sometimes recommended to be used in the form of a nasal spray along with EDTA.

Xylitol: This ingredient is a type of sugar naturally found in fruits and plants. It can be found commercially as an additive in numerous food products and is commonly used as a sugar substitute in chewing gum. When applied intranasally it has antibacterial properties and can help disrupt the biofilm along with EDTA.

Antifungals

EDTA may be combined with an antifungal in one formulation. Antifungals are a standard part of most treatments for biotoxin illness related to mold exposure. Mold is a type of fungus that frequently grows in water-damaged buildings and damp indoor environments. There are a few standard antifungals that are part of established treatment protocols but others are sometimes used.

Amphotericin: Amphotericin is the most common antifungal prescribed for treating sinusitis and mold-related illness. Most protocols for treating patients affected by mold recommend attempting a treatment course with amphotericin. Different strengths can be made depending on the patient’s sensitivity. Amphotericin can be more effective if EDTA is first used to clear the biofilm.

Nystatin: Amphotericin is a stronger antifungal that not all patients can tolerate. The antifungal nystatin may be prescribed as an alternative to amphotericin for patients who are more sensitive to treatment.

Other antifungals: itraconazole, voriconazole

Antibiotics

Antibiotics have been used intranasally to treat chronic sinusitis related to a persistent infection. Topical administration helps target treatment directly to the area of infection. Some doctors are moving away from the use of antibiotics to treat mold-related illness and are instead using EDTA with antifungals, silver, or xylitol.

Gentamicin: This antibiotic is a part of BEG spray, which includes Bactroban (mupirocin), EDTA, and gentamicin. This nasal spray was the standard for treating biotoxin illness for many years. The combination is still frequently prescribed but now a variety of other nasal sprays are also used.

Other antibiotics: levofloxacin, clindamycin

EDTA Administration Methods

It is common for EDTA to be prescribed in the form of a nasal spray. However it can also be made in the form of either a saline rinse for nasal irrigation or a solution for use with an atomizer. The nasal irrigation involves combining EDTA with a saline rinse in nasal rinse bottle. The rinse bottle is used to flood the nasal passages with the medicated solution. An atomizer like the RhinoClear Sprint can send EDTA solution into the nasal passages in an automated spray. The device is battery-powered and offers a cleaner alternative to nasal irrigation.

EDTA Nasal Spray from a Compounding Pharmacy

Our pharmacy can make numerous EDTA combinations for use with any of these administration methods, as well as a formulation containing only EDTA. Combining medications in customized dosages is the specialty of a compounding pharmacy. As commercially available treatments for mold-related illnesses are lacking, our compounding pharmacy provides products with EDTA that can not be obtained from regular retail pharmacies.

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