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Let's find something available over-the-counter for this sore throat.

Pharmacist

This assumes this sore throat is a result of minor irritation or inflammation. The most common cause (80% of the time) being of viral origin.

If you think you are looking at a bacterial cause, seek urgent care. Nothing over-the-counter will work on that.

With this in mind, let's see what is recommended over-the-counter for a sore throat.

Lady with a sore throat


NSAIDS

Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) should help with the pain and inflammation of this sore throat.

lady with sore throat

If the throat also feels swollen, this will be your first choice to reduce the pain and swelling.

Ibuprofen, Naproxen are good examples.

 

Acetaminophen

Take acetaminophen if the throat is not swollen. This only helps with the pain and not the inflammation of the throat linings.

Take acetaminophen however if a sore throat also includes headache. Acetaminophen is better for headaches than NSAIDS.

 

Sprays / Lozenges

Target the pain where it hurts. They may soothe the affected area but relief is usually short-lived.

Lady using throat spray


Spray or lozenges. Which should you choose?

The lozenges are easier to carry around but their value is in moisturizing the throat. This is a requirement if you have a sore throat. You want the throat to be constantly moisturized.

But if the pain is towards the back of the throat or deep down the throat, a spray will be better. It is better at targeting the pain.

 

Worth Doing

1. Gargle with salt water. Do this often.

lady gargling with water

2. Sucking on hard candy to keep the throat moist

3. Drink water more frequently.

4. Use humidifier when sleeping to prevent dry throat on waking up in the morning. Do this especially if you also have nasal congestion. Because at some point you may be breathing through your mouth. This will dry up the throat quickly and make a sore throat very bad.

5. Tea + Lemon

6. Hot soup

7. Gargle with ice chips.

 

Last updated by pharmacist on : 09/01/2018

 

 

Know this about the safe and effective use of this recommendation.
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Our disclaimer

  • Recommendation is the opinion of a registered US Pharmacist currently practicing as a community pharmacist.
  • Recommendation is not an attempt to discuss all possible self care or treatment approach to this health challenge.
  • The responsibility of the recommending pharmacist is limited to this question:
    "If a patient presents with these symptoms, what will you recommend and why?"
    It is not an attempt to publish an article on the treatment of any condition. Just what would you tell a patient who present with so and so in the usual course of your practice.
  • The pharmacist image presented in this article may or may not be the actual image of the authoring pharmacist.
    Because we insist on using articles written by currently practicing community pharmacists, these pharmacists may choose to remain anonymous especially if they are employed by an employer to avoid being pressured to recommend a particular product to drive sales.
  • Please read the policies and terms of use for self-care OTC, selfcarepharmacist.com and it's affiliates by clicking on the button below.

 

 

 

 

 

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