10 Best

Sore Throat Medicines

of April 2024

A sore throat can be so frustrating and awful when you get it. There are several factors that can cause a sore throat, such as allergies, colds, flu, and Strep throat. Thankfully, there are a number of sore throat medicines on the market, with varying levels of efficacy in relieving a sore throat.

Here are some medicines people buy when looking for relief from a sore throat.

• Anesthetics: These are what people call numbing medicines. They are usually available as a spray and help to relieve the pain in the throat. The numbing agents suppress the pain and have ingredients like menthol and phenol. It should be understood that these numbing agents can reduce the pain in other areas such as the mouth.
• Pain Relievers: Pain relievers, or analgesics, are also good for treating sore throat. They are like anesthetics, but they are specially made for pain in the throat. Some of the popular pain relievers used as sore throat remedies are Tylenol, Motrin, Advil, Aspirin, and Aleve. Although they are all pain relievers, their capacities differ. Tylenol will increase your body's threshold for pain. You may still feel the sore throat, but it won't be as severe. Remedies such as Motrin, Advil, and the rest are more nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). This means they help to reduce the pain by decreasing swelling in the throat area. Here is the tricky side to these pain relievers: they can have different effects on different people. Hence, seeking medical advice and a prescription is best before taking them for a sore throat.
• Antihistamines: These medicines restrict the body’s production of histamines, which are the white blood cells’ response to injury and other inflammatory issues. Generally, medicines that contain Doxylamine and Chlorpheniramine are used for sore throat treatment. Other medications you can use for a sore throat include Loratadine, Fexofenadine, Diphenhydramine, and Cetirizine.
• Demulcent: A sore throat can cause redness and major discomfort. A demulcent reduces the pain by adding a smooth film that soothes the mouth to suppress the pain and redness. They also have numbing agents as part of their ingredients. You can get demulcents in cough drops, throat spray, and throat lozenges.
• Antibiotics: Strep throat can lead to serious complications if not properly treated. It could lead to kidney problems and also damage the heart. The doctor uses antibiotics like penicillin to treat strep throat. Unfortunately, some people may be allergic to Penicillin; therefore, there are alternative antibiotics, such as erythromycin, which come in handy. A doctor will prescribe a 10-day course of antibiotics. After a week of taking an antibiotic, the sore throat should clear up.

• What medications can children take: The side effects of some of these medicines can be unsettling for children. Under no circumstances should you give children aspirin, because it can have dangerous side effects on the brain or stomach. . For children that are younger than six months, it is okay to give them acetaminophen. Children that are older than six months can take Ibuprofen and acetaminophen. 
• When do you need to take Sore Throat medicine?: If you notice that there is trouble breathing and swallowing, then you need to seek medical attention. People who have felt that what they have is “just” a sore throat have discovered that it can be much more serious. Also, if your voice changes abruptly or you become hoarse, then you should get some medicine. In addition, when the cough starts becoming severe, you need to seek medical attention.

• Tips to making the sore throat medicine work: Have you ever heard people say they have tried or taken everything, but still nothing changed? In some cases, there could be side effects as a result of the medicines that you took. This is why medical professionals always warn people to consult their doctors first before doing anything. 
• Avoiding smoking: People who smoke suffer longer from sore throats and cause more damage to themselves. Also, inhaling a lot of smoke can be a problem. Therefore, the best advice is to avoid cigarette smoke, either from your own smoking or from people nearby.
• Preventive hygiene: Clean your hands and avoid people with a sore throat, cold, or cough.

Conclusion

Since everyone is different, there is a wide range of side effects that can occur when taking any medicine. The first thing you want to do is to confirm with your doctor about using a particular medicine to treat a sore throat. Getting the necessary prescription from a professional is important. 

Children are subtle when it comes to medicines, so stick to the tested medicines that are known to be suited for them. Also, it is imperative to stick to what has worked in the past.

Finally, a sore throat is not supposed to last for more than a week. If it does, you need to contact the doctor for proper medical attention.