Is Otrivin still owned by Novartis?

No. Otrivin is now owned by Haleon plc. The brand transferred from Novartis to GSK's consumer health joint venture in 2014, and became part of Haleon when GSK spun off its consumer healthcare division in July 2022.

Is Otrivin publicly traded?

Otrivin itself is not publicly traded as a separate entity. However, parent company Haleon plc is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange and NYSE under the ticker HLN.

When was Otrivin introduced?

Otrivin was introduced in 1966 as an over-the-counter nasal decongestant spray, making it one of the longest-established nasal decongestant brands in the world.

Who developed Otrivin?

Otrivin was developed by Ciba-Geigy researchers. Ciba-Geigy later merged with Sandoz to form Novartis in 1996.

What is Otrivin used for?

Otrivin is used to relieve nasal congestion from colds, allergies, and sinusitis. The active ingredient xylometazoline works by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages, reducing swelling and allowing easier breathing.

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

Who Owns Otrivin?

Otrivin is owned by Haleon plc, a publicly traded British consumer healthcare company that was spun off from GSK in July 2022. Otrivin was originally developed by Ciba-Geigy (now part of Novartis) and introduced in 1966. The brand transferred to GSK's consumer health division in 2014 as part of a major asset swap with Novartis, and became part of Haleon when GSK spun off its consumer health business in 2022.

Parent Company

Haleon plc

Acquired

2014

Status

Publicly Traded

Headquarters

Weybridge, United Kingdom

Otrivin Timeline

1966

Otrivin

Founded by Ciba-Geigy (now Novartis)

Founded

2014

Acquired by Haleon plc

Haleon plc acquired Otrivin

Acquired

mid rangemass marketGlobalall-agessustainable packagingOfficial Website

Who Owns Otrivin?

Parent Company: Haleon plc
Ownership Type: Wholly owned
Acquisition Year: 2014
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock Ticker: LSE: HLN

Brand	Parent Company	Ownership Type
Otrivin	Haleon plc	Wholly owned

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Otrivin on Amazon

History of Otrivin

Founded: 1966
Founders: Ciba-Geigy (now Novartis)
Acquired by Haleon plc: 2014

Otrivin was developed by Ciba-Geigy researchers and introduced in 1966 as an over-the-counter nasal decongestant spray. The active ingredient, xylometazoline hydrochloride, is a topical vasoconstrictor that provides rapid relief from nasal congestion by reducing swelling in the nasal passages. The drug represented a significant advancement in nasal congestion treatment, offering fast-acting relief within minutes of application.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Otrivin became one of the most widely recognized nasal decongestant brands globally, particularly in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The brand expanded its product line to include formulations for adults and children, as well as moisturizing variants to reduce nasal dryness. Otrivin became a household name in many countries for cold and allergy symptom relief.

When Novartis was formed through the merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz in 1996, Otrivin became part of Novartis's consumer health portfolio. The brand continued to expand its global presence and product range under Novartis ownership.

In 2014, Otrivin transferred to GSK's consumer healthcare joint venture as part of a major restructuring deal between Novartis and GSK. GSK took full control of the venture in 2018. In July 2022, Otrivin became part of Haleon plc when GSK spun off its consumer healthcare division. Under Haleon, Otrivin continues to be marketed in over 50 countries as a trusted nasal decongestant.

About Haleon plc

What does Haleon own?
Haleon owns a portfolio of approximately 24 global and regional consumer health brands across five categories: oral health, vitamins and supplements, pain relief, respiratory health, and digestive health. Key brands include Sensodyne, Panadol, Centrum, Advil, Voltaren, Otrivin, Parodontax, Polident and Poligrip, Aquafresh, and Emergen-C. Products are sold in more than 170 countries.

Is Haleon publicly traded?
Yes. Haleon plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker HLN, with American Depositary Shares also listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the same ticker. Haleon completed its listing on the London Stock Exchange on July 18, 2022, in what was the largest London Stock Exchange listing in over a decade. The company does not have a controlling shareholder.

Who founded Haleon?
Haleon was formed through the demerger of GSK's consumer healthcare division in July 2022 and does not have a traditional founder. The consumer healthcare business that became Haleon was assembled by GSK and Pfizer through decades of acquisitions. In 2019, GSK and Pfizer combined their consumer healthcare businesses into a joint venture, which was subsequently demerged as Haleon in 2022. Brian McNamara became CEO at the time of the demerger.

Where is Haleon headquartered?
Haleon is headquartered in Weybridge, Surrey, United Kingdom. The company's registered office and principal executive offices are located in Weybridge. Haleon operates manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Germany, Ireland, and China. The company sells products in more than 170 countries.

How many brands does Haleon own?
Haleon owns approximately 24 global and regional consumer health brands. The portfolio is concentrated in five categories: oral health (Sensodyne, Parodontax, Polident, Poligrip, Aquafresh), vitamins and supplements (Centrum, Caltrate, Emergen-C), pain relief (Advil, Panadol, Voltaren), respiratory health (Otrivin, Theraflu, Robitussin), and digestive health (Nexium Control, Tums).

Who owns Haleon?
Haleon plc is a publicly traded company with no controlling shareholder. At the time of the July 2022 demerger, GSK plc and Pfizer Inc. each retained significant stakes in Haleon. Both companies have been reducing their positions through secondary share placements. As of early 2026, both GSK and Pfizer have substantially reduced their stakes, each holding less than 10% of shares. The remaining shares are held by institutional investors and public shareholders.

What is Haleon's revenue?
Haleon reported FY2025 net revenue of approximately GBP 10.2 billion, with organic revenue growth of approximately 4%. The oral health category is the largest and fastest-growing segment, driven by Sensodyne. The company employs approximately 24,000 people and sells products in more than 170 countries.

Founded: 2022
Headquarters: Weybridge, Surrey, United Kingdom
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock: LSE: HLN
Revenue: Approximately GBP 10.2 billion (FY2025)
Employees: Approximately 24,000

Visit Haleon plc website

View full company profile for Haleon plc

Where Is Otrivin Made / Based?

Headquarters: Weybridge, United Kingdom
Manufacturing / Operations: United Kingdom, Switzerland, Various international locations

Otrivin Categories & Tags

Nasal Decongestant Cold Relief Over The Counter Congestion Relief Allergy Relief

Otrivin Sustainability & Ethics

Otrivin operates within Haleon plc's sustainability framework, which focuses on making health more inclusive while reducing environmental impact.

Climate and Emissions Targets: Haleon has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions across its value chain by 2040, with specific targets to reduce net Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 100% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. As of 2024, Haleon achieved a 50% reduction in net Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions.

Sustainable Packaging Innovation: In 2023, Haleon launched Otrivin products featuring 52% bio-based material pumps developed in partnership with Aptar Pharma. This supports Haleon's goal to reduce virgin petroleum-based plastic use by 10% by 2025 and by a third by 2030 compared to 2022 levels.

Recycle-Ready Packaging Initiative: Otrivin participates in Haleon's goal to make all packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030, with all packaging to be recycle-ready by 2025. The brand is transitioning to mono-material packaging and removing problematic plastics like PVC.

Supply Chain Ethics: Haleon maintains supply chain ethics programs that extend to Otrivin manufacturing. The company requires suppliers to adhere to environmental and labor standards, conducting regular audits to verify compliance.

Product Innovation and Sustainability: The 2023 launch of Otrivin Nasal Mist represents the brand's commitment to combining product innovation with sustainability. The new microdroplet technology, developed through a seven-year collaboration with Aptar Pharma, provides enhanced comfort while utilizing more sustainable packaging materials.

Awards & Recognition

Otrivin has received recognition for its market leadership, product innovation, and sustainability initiatives in the consumer healthcare sector.

Market Leadership Recognition: Otrivin was ranked as the world's #1 non-prescription nasal decongestant spray in 2022, reflecting the brand's global reach and consumer trust built over nearly 60 years.

Packaging Innovation Awards: The 2023 launch of Otrivin Nasal Mist with Aptar Pharma's Lateral Control System technology received industry recognition for innovation in pharmaceutical packaging. The microdroplet technology and 52% bio-based material pump represent advancements in nasal spray delivery systems and sustainable packaging design.

WorldStar Global Packaging Award: In 2026, Otrivin's packaging received a WorldStar Global Packaging Award, recognizing excellence in packaging design and sustainability. The award highlighted the brand's use of bio-based materials and innovative delivery technology.

Sustainability Leadership: As part of Haleon's portfolio, Otrivin contributes to the company's recognition as one of the world's most sustainable companies. Haleon was ranked #34 in Sustainability Magazine's Top 250 World's Most Sustainable Companies 2025.

Otrivin Recalls & Controversies

Otrivin has maintained a strong safety record throughout its nearly 60-year history, with no major product recalls reported. However, like all nasal decongestant products containing xylometazoline, the brand faces ongoing scrutiny regarding proper usage and potential side effects.

Medication Overuse Concerns: The primary controversy surrounding Otrivin and similar nasal decongestants is the risk of rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa) when used beyond the recommended 5-7 day period. Healthcare professionals have raised concerns about consumers developing dependency on nasal sprays, leading to chronic congestion issues. This has resulted in increased educational efforts by Haleon to promote proper usage guidelines.

Regulatory Compliance: Otrivin has maintained compliance with regulatory requirements across all markets where it operates. The active ingredient xylometazoline hydrochloride is approved for over-the-counter use in most countries, though dosage regulations vary by region. No significant regulatory actions have been taken against Otrivin for safety or efficacy issues.

Cardiovascular Safety Monitoring: As with all vasoconstrictor medications, Otrivin carries warnings for patients with certain cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension, heart disease, and thyroid disorders. The brand includes comprehensive contraindication information on packaging and in patient information leaflets. No major safety incidents related to cardiovascular effects have been reported.

Pediatric Usage Guidelines: Otrivin has faced scrutiny regarding appropriate usage in children, leading to the development of specific pediatric formulations with lower concentrations of xylometazoline. The brand maintains clear age-specific usage guidelines and has worked with healthcare professionals to ensure proper pediatric administration.

Environmental Impact Discussions: Some environmental groups have raised concerns about the environmental impact of nasal spray propellants and packaging. Haleon has addressed these concerns through the development of more sustainable packaging options, including the 2023 introduction of bio-based material pumps for Otrivin products.

Competition from Natural Alternatives: Otrivin faces ongoing market challenges from increasing consumer preference for natural and non-medicated congestion relief options, including saline nasal sprays and herbal remedies. This has led to expanded product offerings, including non-medicated nasal hygiene products under the Otrivin brand.

Otrivin Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+Fast-acting nasal decongestant providing relief within minutes
+Available over-the-counter in most markets for convenient access
+Trusted brand reputation built over nearly 60 years
+Multiple formulations for adults, children, and sensitive users
+Strong global distribution through Haleon's pharmacy and retail networks

Considerations

-Risk of rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa) with prolonged use beyond 5-7 days
-Potential for nasal irritation or dryness in some users
-Not suitable for patients with certain cardiovascular conditions
-Competition from saline sprays and natural decongestant alternatives
-Some consumers prefer non-medicated congestion relief options

Frequently Asked Questions About Otrivin

Sources & Further Reading

Competitors to Otrivin

These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.

Brand	Parent Company	Country	Founded	Market Position	Primary Market	Gender Target
Benadryl	Johnson Johnson	USA	1946	Mass market	Global	All-ages
TherafluSister Brand	Haleon	United Kingdom	1976	Mass market	Global	All-ages