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Sore throat pills
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
In the treatment of throat diseases - to relieve pain - a large number of pharmaceutical preparations are used in the form of solutions for local use, sprays, lozenges, and special lozenges. For many, these throat lozenges not only help relieve unpleasant symptoms, but also stop the development of the inflammatory process that caused them.
Indications for the use of tablets for sore throat
The main indications for the use of tablets for sore throat are inflammatory diseases of the throat and larynx of infectious etiology. These include acute pharyngitis, acute laryngitis, tonsillitis, acute inflammation of the palatine tonsils (lacunar and fibrinous tonsillitis), tracheitis.
Medicines in the form of lozenges are also used in the treatment of microbial and bacterial infections of the oral cavity (stomatitis, thrush, etc.).
Pharmacodynamics of tablets for sore throat
The mechanism of antibacterial action of throat lozenges is based on their activity against pathogenic microorganisms - gram-positive and gram-negative (Streptococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus viridans, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, Branhamella catarrhalis, Candida albicans, etc.). Due to their ability to interact with the lipids of the cell membranes of microorganisms and disrupt their integrity, the active substances of these drugs lead to the death of bacterial cells.
Thus, Grammidin contains the antibiotic gramicidin, and to relieve a sore throat - lidocaine hydrochloride, eucalyptus oil and menthol. Although eucalyptus oil also has anti-inflammatory properties, menthol serves as a "distracting" agent: it relieves pain by stimulating the cold receptors of the mucous membrane.
Strepsils lozenges contain the antibiotic amylmetacresol for local use, as well as the same local anesthetic lidocaine hydrochloride. Neo-angin has an antiseptic effect due to such components as dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol. And the analgesic effect is provided by levomenthol (it acts in the same way as menthol). The active substance ambazone monohydrate, being a bacteriostatic agent for local use, provides the therapeutic effect of Faringosept.
Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, a broad-spectrum antiseptic and an active ingredient in Hexoral sore throat tablets, also fights inflammation in throat diseases. And the local anesthetic benzocaine (4-aminobenzoic acid ethyl ester) reduces pain sensitivity, i.e. blocks the appearance and conduction of nerve signals: it quickly penetrates cell membranes, changes the balance of sodium and potassium ions in the peripheral pain receptors of the throat mucosa, which prevents the passage of pain impulses.
Lozenges for sore throat Strepfen contain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug flurbiprofen - a derivative of propionic acid. This substance inhibits the synthesis of the enzyme cyclooxygenase and the main neurotransmitters of pain (prostaglandins), relieving inflammation of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract and relieving pain.
Pharmacokinetics of sore throat tablets
Due to low systemic absorption, pharmacokinetic data are not available for many throat lozenges. However, some data are available regarding the biochemical transformation of these drugs.
For example, benzocaine contained in Hexoral tablets is broken down by the enzyme esterase in the blood plasma and liver into para-aminobenzoic acid and ethyl alcohol. During their metabolism, chemical compounds are obtained that are excreted from the body by the kidneys.
Flurbiprofen, which is contained in Strepfen tablets, enters the gastrointestinal tract with saliva, where it is quickly absorbed. On average, after 35 minutes, the concentration of the drug in the blood plasma reaches its maximum level. At the same time, it binds to plasma proteins almost 100%. Then this drug goes through all stages of metabolism (in the liver) and is excreted in the urine.
Lozenges for sore throat
These drugs have become very popular both because of their ease of use and because of their effectiveness. In almost half of the cases, the cause of a sore throat is an infection, so all lozenges for sore throat belong to the pharmacological group of antiseptics and disinfectants. First of all, they have an antiviral, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect. And only secondarily, they relieve pain.
Take note of the main names of sore throat pills: Strepsils, Grammidin, Geksoral, Neo-angin, Faringosept, Strepfen. Now let's look at the features of their use, contraindications and dosage.
Method of administration and dosage
Strepsils sore throat tablets are used to treat adults and children over 5 years of age. You need to dissolve one tablet every 2.5 hours. But you can use no more than 8 tablets per day.
Method of administration and dosage of Grammidin: for adults and children over 12 years of age, the drug is prescribed 2 tablets (first one tablet is absorbed, then the second one is immediately absorbed). After this, you must not eat or drink anything for at least an hour and a half. This procedure is carried out 4 times a day for 5 days. Children under 12 years of age need to dissolve only one tablet. The course of treatment is 5-6 days.
Faringosept should be dissolved half an hour after meals: adults - 4-5 tablets per day, children 3-7 years old - 3 tablets per day. Duration of use - 3-4 days. Neo-angin tablets are prescribed to adults and children over 6 years old: dissolve one tablet every three hours. The maximum dose is no more than 6 tablets per day.
Lozenges for sore throat Strepfen are not used for children under 12 years of age. Adults (and children over 12 years of age) are recommended to dissolve one tablet in case of severe sore throat and inflammation of the mucous membrane. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 5 tablets, and the duration of use is three days. Moreover, when dissolving a Strepfen tablet, you should not hold it in one place, but move it throughout the oral cavity.
As stated in the instructions for most throat lozenges, an overdose of these medications is unlikely, as their systemic absorption rate is very low. Exceeding the doctor's prescribed dosage of Neo-angin may cause nausea, vomiting, redness of the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, and a feeling of discomfort in the stomach.
[ Using Sore Throat Lozenges During Pregnancy
The use of tablets for sore throat during pregnancy and during breastfeeding is possible to use the drug according to indications. The use of Grammidin during pregnancy requires increased caution and is permissible only as prescribed by a doctor.
The use of Strepfen during pregnancy is contraindicated. But Neo-angin can be used by pregnant women, but only as prescribed by a doctor and for a short period of time.
Contraindications to the use of tablets for sore throat
Contraindications to the use of Strepsils sore throat tablets are hypersensitivity to the components of the drug and children under five years of age. And Neo-angin should not be given to children under six years of age.
Grammidin is contraindicated for women during lactation. Hexoral should not be used in case of hypersensitivity to the substances included in its composition, as well as in the presence of ulcers and erosions in the mouth or throat, with a reduced concentration of cholinesterase in the blood plasma, as well as in children under four years of age.
Strepfen is contraindicated in gastric ulcers in the acute phase, bronchial asthma and runny nose (in parallel with taking aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Side effects of sore throat pills
In most cases, there are no obvious side effects of sore throat pills, although sometimes they manifest themselves in the form of minor allergic reactions. However, there are some of these drugs whose use is fraught with unwanted side effects.
For example, Hexoral (with prolonged use) has a possible side effect of temporary numbness of the tongue, change in the color of the tongue and tooth enamel, and taste disturbance. In addition, benzocaine in this drug in children can cause an increase in the content of methemoglobin in the blood, which is manifested by symptoms such as cyanosis, hypoxia, and tachycardia.
Neo-angin tablets are usually well tolerated, but in isolated cases skin allergic reactions are possible. And for Strepfen sore throat tablets, possible side effects are similar to those that can cause all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: headache, dizziness, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, stomach pain, increased blood pressure, tachycardia and edema.
Interactions of throat lozenges with other drugs
Hexoral sore throat tablets - due to benzocaine - reduce the antibacterial activity of sulfonamides and salicylates. And when using Strepfen, the therapeutic effect of sulfinpyrazone and probenecid, which are used to reduce the content of urates in the body in the presence of gouty deposits, decreases. The therapeutic effect of glucocorticoids, estrogens, antihypertensive drugs and diuretics is also reduced. On the other hand, Strepfen can enhance the effect of anticoagulant drugs, which creates a risk of bleeding.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Sore throat pills" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.