Lozenges, mouthwashes, tablets… There are many drugs indicated for sore throat. What are the non-prescription ones? Which ones to choose for a child? For a pregnant woman?
What drugs quickly relieve sore throat?
Medications used to quickly relieve a sore throat are:
- them antibiotics such as amoxicillin to reduce the duration of symptoms by 24 hours, only in case of bacterial infection
- the paracetamol (Doliprane®, Dafalgan®, Efferalgan®, etc.)
- some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with an indication in inflammation of the throat: Nifluril® (niflumic acid), Surgam® (tiaprofenic acid). The use of ibuprofen is not recommended. The benefit-risk balance must be assessed before initiating an anti-inflammatory due to the risk of serious infectious complications.
- them corticosteroids such as Solupred® (prednisolone), Cortancyl® (prednisone), Celestene (betamethasone), etc.
- them lozenges and lozenges. Some specialties only include a local antiseptic such as Strepsils®, Humex sore throat biclotymol® and others include an additional local anesthetic: Strepsils lidocaine®, Drill®, Cantalène®.
- them mouthwashes which contain an antiseptic or even a local anesthetic. The Hexaspray® specialty contains only an antiseptic. Other specialties contain an additional local anesthetic: Eludril collutoire®, Colludol®.
Lozenges, lozenges and mouthwashes that contain a local anesthetic are more effective. However, these presentations require precautions for use: taken at a distance from meals to avoid a false route and maximum use of 5 days to limit imbalances in the oral bacterial flora.
- Maxilase® (in syrup or tablets to swallow) and its generics
- them suppositories bismuth-based: Pholcones®
Several of these drugs can be combined with each other to potentiate their action on sore throat.
What are non-prescription medications for sore throat?
To treat a sore throat, the drugs available in pharmacies without a prescription are paracetamol, Maxilase® syrup and tablets, Pholcones® suppositories, lozenges, mouthwashes, herbal medicines and homeopathic medicines. However, resorting to self-medication to treat a sore throat requires vigilance. Faced with symptoms such as high fever, swollen glands, rash, a medical consultation is strongly recommended.
What are the sore throat medicines for children?
To treat a sore throat in children, the doctor usually prescribes antibiotic therapy to eradicate a bacterial infection. The antibiotic of choice is amoxicillin at a dosage of 50 mg/kg/day in two daily doses for 6 days. In case of allergy, the antibiotic prescribed will be Orelox® (cefpodoxime). In addition to the antibiotic or in the event of a viral infection, symptomatic treatment can be instituted:
- the paracetamoloften administered in oral solution (Dolipraneliquiz®, Efferalganmed 30 mg/mL) or in suppositories in young children
- some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs having a specific indication in inflammatory conditions of the throat. This is the case of the niflumic acid contained in Nifluril® in suppositories (from 6 months to 12 years) and Nifluril® in capsules (from 12 years). Another anti-inflammatory has this indication, it is tiaprofenic acid present in Surgam® 100 mg in tablets to dissolve in water (in children over 15 kg, i.e. approximately 4 years) and in Surgam® 200 mg (in children over 20 kg, i.e. approximately 6 years) . If an infection is suspected, any anti-inflammatory should be avoided as it masks the symptoms. It is not not recommended to take an anti-inflammatory self-medication due to the risk of serious adverse effects. Before prescribing this type of treatment, the doctor assesses the risk-benefit balance for the child.
- them corticosteroids (Solupred®, Célestène®, etc.) to relieve pain associated with laryngitis
- them lozengeslozenges and mouthwashes, most of which are reserved for children over 6 years old (Angispray®) or even 12 years old (Eludril® mouthwash)
- a drug of herbal medicine : Euphon® pellets (from 6 years old)
- a drug homeopathic : Homeogene 9® in lozenges (from 2 years old), Bocéal® in oral spray (from 6 years old), Angipax in orodispersible tablets (from 3 years old for self-medication, medical advice is required before 3 years old).
If the symptoms persist or worsen after 3 days of treatment, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician.
What are the sore throat medications during pregnancy?
A pregnant woman who suffers from a severe sore throat or accompanied by fever should see a doctor. Due to insufficient data on drugs administered during pregnancy, the therapeutic arsenal is limited. If it is angina of bacterial origin, an antibiotic will be prescribed. In this case, the recommended first-line antibiotic is amoxicillin at the rate of one gram 2 times a day for 6 days. If the patient is allergic to penicillins, another antibiotic will be prescribed: Orelox® (cefpodoxime) for 5 days or Zinnat® (cefuroxime) for 4 days. In addition to the antibiotic or as part of a viral infection, symptomatic treatment is recommended. Drugs that can be safely administered to pregnant women are paracetamol (Doliprane®, Dafalgan®, etc.) and homeopathic medicines (Homeogene 9®, Bocéal® spray). There are other drugs that are not contraindicated in pregnancy, but they should not be used without medical advice at the risk of inducing deleterious consequences for the unborn child.
Sources:
– Public drug database
– Antibioclick
– Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and infectious complications, 29/10/2020, ANSM