13 best sore throat remedies

*Review of the best according to the editorial. Selection criteria. This material is subjective, not an advertisement and does not constitute a guide to purchase. Before you buy it you should consult with a specialist.

Sore throat is a common symptom known to almost all of us since childhood. A sore throat can be a harmless symptom of an acute respiratory infection, or it can be a threatening sign of meningococcal nasopharyngitis, which can cause meningitis and generalized infection.

A sore throat is an important diagnostic sign, and an experienced specialist during questioning and examination can establish not only an approximate, but even a precise diagnosis. For example, having found the characteristic Belsky-Filatov-Koplik spots on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, it is completely safe to diagnose measles.

Sore throat can be accompanied by a variety of related symptoms, such as soreness and swollen regional lymph nodes, fever, nasal congestion and rhinorrhea, and other signs. Sore throat is one of those unpleasant conditions that everyone begins to deal with in their own ways, without waiting for the initial visit to the doctor.

In this regard, in the retail pharmacy network sells a large variety of products for the elimination of sore throat. Some of them simply relieve the symptom, because they contain local anesthetics, but have no effect on the inflammation. Other medications contain antiseptics and antibiotics that act on microbial flora, and promote disinfection. But in the case of pharyngitis or sore throat caused by a viral infection, antibiotics will be useless, and even harmful, because they will contribute to the development of intestinal dysbacteriosis.

But the average person is unlikely to understand all these subtleties. Therefore, the ranking of the most popular forms to treat sore throat includes remedies that are classified according to their physical characteristics. These are aerosols and sprays that are sprayed, they are chewable tablets, lozenges and lollipops for sucking up, or solid dosage forms.

In conclusion, we will consider a “budget” set of medications to relieve sore throat, which have the lowest cost and are available to almost everyone.

Rating of the best remedies for sore throat

The best sprays for sore throats

Sprays and aerosols take first place in the ranking of medications to combat sore throat, because they have the most convenient and fastest form of application. Aerosols differ from sprays in the way the medicine is dispensed. The aerosol can contains the product under pressure so that you just have to press and hold down the atomizer button once and the active ingredient is atomized in the desired direction. As for the sprays, there is no overpressure there, you have to create it yourself by periodically pressing the atomizer button.

While the aerosol forms much smaller droplets that form a dense, pressurized cloud and evenly coat hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, the spray needs to be applied much more carefully, especially by moving the spray tip into corners of the mouth where large amounts of debris can accumulate.

Hexatidine (Hexoral, Maxicold Lore)

Rating: 4.9

Perhaps the domestic aerosol Ingalipt contains the most complex composition of all the products presented in the rating for sore throat, and not only in the form of aerosol and sprays. It contains herbal and synthetic components. It is peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, antiseptics and disinfectants – in addition to plant extracts, Inhalipt contains norsulfazole and streptocide. This allows it to have an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory complex effect. The product is refreshing and antiseptic thanks to the essential plant oils.

The indications for Ingalipt are exactly the same: the entire extensive list of inflammatory diseases of the oropharynx and tonsils, including it is indicated for sprays for aphthous and ulcerative stomatitis and laryngitis.

Spray the aerosol should be 3 to 4 times a day, the manufacturer recommends rinsing your mouth thoroughly with boiled water before spraying, to remove food debris. Inhalipt in spray form is produced by a Ukrainian company Micropharm, and you can buy a 30 ml spray for 60 rubles., and hand spray is produced by domestic company Vips-med, and 20 ml of spray can be bought for 70 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of this remedy for a sore throat can be considered the presence of aromatic and fragrant essential oils, which are well refreshing and have a pleasant taste. Ingalypt is contraindicated only in case of individual hypersensitivity, which is very rare, and can be used in children, pregnant and lactating women. Perhaps the only disadvantage of this universally favorite drug for the treatment of sore throat is its low effectiveness, since norsulfazole and streptocide helped well from various infections in the seventies of the last century, now they are considered no longer effective enough. But if we are talking about a trivial cold, Inhalipt can be very much in demand, especially in the first – second days of the appearance of symptoms.

Proposol – propolis extract

Rating: 4.6

It is well known that propolis, or bee glue, is an inexhaustible source of various medicinal substances. These are flavonoids, aromatic acids, essential oils, amino acids and pollen components, many trace elements, even such rare ones as strontium, vanadium, tin and cobalt. Propolis contains many different vitamins.

Proposol, which contains an alcoholic solution of propolis, is indicated for use in catarrhal diseases of the oral cavity, in aphthous and ulcerative gingivitis, in stomatitis, in chronic periodontal disease, as well as in the complex therapy of angina, nasopharyngitis, laryngitis and diseases of the ENT organs.

Proposol is nebulized during inhalation, and the nebulization may last up to 2 seconds. In acute inflammatory process and pronounced sore throat, it is necessary to irrigate the oropharynx up to 3 times a day, and after the relief of acute pain syndrome, a two-time irrigation can be sufficient. Usually 5 to 7 days of daily treatment of the oral cavity is needed for complete relief of sore throat.

Produces this healing aromatic medicine domestic company Altayvitaminy, and you can buy an aerosol can containing 50 ml of propolis in an alcoholic solution for 120 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Propolis, like other bee products, the patient may be hypersensitive and allergic reactions. But everyone knows whether they are allergic to honey and bee products or not, so with the problem of tolerance, as a rule, there are no difficulties. But you must remember that the drug contains high concentrations of ethyl alcohol, and it is not recommended to spray the aerosol when driving a car, and when working with fast-moving machinery and dangerous machines. That is why it is recommended to give Proposol to children only from the age of twelve, and it is undesirable to use it in pregnant and lactating women.

Since the remedy for sore throat Proposol does not contain means with pronounced antimicrobial and antiseptic activity, the best use he will find in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the oropharynx.

Miramistin

Rating: 4.5

Miramistin is a highly effective antiseptic, which was developed by domestic scientists. The active substance has a very difficult to pronounce name, which we will not cite here, we will only say that it belongs to the quaternary ammonium compounds.

Miramistin is indicated in candidiasis stomatitis, in various acute and chronic pharyngitis and tonsillitis, in periodontal disease, for prevention during the fitting of dentures. The total list of indications is more than three dozen different diagnoses. Miramistin helps get rid not only of various types of bacteria, but also of fungi, viruses, and even herpes viruses and human immunodeficiency virus. Miramistin can be used in ulcerative stomatitis, promotes tissue regeneration and epithelialization.

It is used three to four times a day, except for throat irrigation, it is also possible to gargle with Miramistin 3-4 times a day. Miramistin is available as a spray in different dosage forms, from 50 ml to 500 ml. For example, you can buy a 150 ml package of the spray for 270 rubles. Produces this wonderful drug domestic company Infomed K.

Advantages and disadvantages

A definite advantage of this remedy for a sore throat is that it has no taste or smell, and is a neutral, slightly foaming liquid. This antiseptic does not irritate the skin and mucous membranes, and does not cause allergies. You can rinse your mouth as often as you like with Miramistin, it is not absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes, does not enter the blood and causes no systemic effect.

Perhaps except for individual intolerance, which is very rare, there are no other contraindications. This product can be used in children, pregnant and lactating women without any restrictions. Perhaps by the ratio of efficacy and safety this drug is the best of all drugs that were included in the rating of drugs for sore throat, and at the same time it is sold at an affordable price. And the fact that it can be used for emergency prevention of urogenital infections, and for the treatment of urological and gynecological diseases, only increases its value.

The best tablets, lozenges and lozenges for sore throats

Moving on to the next group of topical medications for sore throat, which are represented by probably the largest number of different medications in the retail pharmacy chain. We are talking about all kinds of forms for chewing and sucking, and for this there are lollipops, tablets and lozenges. These dosage forms have their own pros and cons.

The disadvantages include the need to chew or swallow the product for a long time, and not everyone likes it. For example, in the workplace it is much more convenient to seclude yourself and spray the spray or spray, which takes seconds. In addition, all these products can be dangerous for small children, as children may inadvertently swallow them or, even worse, inhale them.

But there are undeniable advantages. Firstly, the resorption of lollipops or tablets lasts a long time, and at this time the maximum concentration of active substances affects the mucous membrane and the bacterial flora. Secondly, you can go about your business and be treated at the same time, for example, while driving, on public transport, and in other circumstances. It is among these medicines there are many herbal ingredients, but be sure to remember patients with diabetes that almost all of these products contain sugar. Therefore, if possible, you should ask for sugar-free tablets in pharmacies.

Neo-Angin

Rating: 4.9

Medication for sore throat Neo-Angin is both a disinfectant and an antiseptic. These tablets for resorption contain dichlorobenzyl alcohol as an antiseptic, and disinfects with amylmethacresol. Levomenthol added to freshen the breath. Neo-Angin is also available without sugar, the auxiliary components include anise oil, peppermint oil, tartaric acid, and there is no glucose syrup in these tablets. The medicine has a slight anesthetic effect, so it also has an anti-pain effect

This remedy for sore throat is used for all inflammatory diseases of the mouth, from viral infections and stomatitis to pharyngitis and sore throats. The drug is very simple to use: adults and children over 6 years are recommended to slowly suck up one tablet after two or three hours. A maximum of 6 tablets may be taken during the day.

The German company Klosterfrau Berlin makes Neo-Angin, and you can buy a pack of 16 for 92 rub.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of this drug include the rare use of side effects, the possibility of long-term use, it is allowed to be combined with other medicines, and even with topical agents, this drug can also be used in pregnant and lactating women.

Pharyngosept

Rating: 4.8

Tested and reliable medicine for sore throat. Faringosept contains ambazone, which is both an antiseptic and a disinfectant. Additionally cocoa is introduced into the composition of the tablets, so the tablets have a brown color, and a specific smell. In addition, the tablets are also available in lemon flavor. Ambazon helps to inhibit the reproduction of bacteria, that is, it is a bacteriostatic.

The greatest antiseptic effect is expressed in 30 minutes after the beginning of resorption, and Faringosept is used for symptomatic treatment of all the above-listed diseases of the oral cavity, which are infectious and inflammatory, for the prevention of secondary complications during dental manipulations, and other conditions.

The tablets should be swallowed completely, half an hour after meals. After swallowing it is better not to eat or drink within 3 hours in order to preserve the local therapeutic effect. This advice can be fully applied to all the drugs described in this article. It is recommended for adults, but not more than 5 tablets a day, and not more than 3 tablets a day for children from 3 to 7 years of age. The average course of treatment is 3 or 4 days. Faringosept is produced by the Romanian pharmaceutical company A. o. Therapy, and 10 tablets in a pack of 0.01 g dosage costs 105 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pharyngosept is a reliable and well-tested remedy, an overdose of the drug is impossible. The remedy does not interact with other drugs, including for local use, and of the side effects can be noted only rare allergic reactions in the form of skin rash. Faringosept is contraindicated only in case of hypersensitivity to the drug, all other categories of patients can use this drug, including pregnant and lactating women, but diabetics should be careful, because the tablets for swallowing contain sucrose.

Septoleta

Rating: 4.7

The next antiseptic, which is available in the form of light green lozenges is the well-known Septoleta. In their composition, they somewhat resemble the aforementioned aerosol Ingalipt, because they contain peppermint and eucalyptus oil, menthol, and benzalkonium chloride and thymol act as antiseptics. These lozenges affect mainly Gram-positive bacteria, which have a cell wall and most often cause various forms of angina. There is also a pronounced antifungal, or fungicidal effect against candidiasis, while peppermint oil and menthol anesthetize, and give freshness of breath. In addition to the complex action, eucalyptus oil promotes freer breathing because it reduces mucus secretion.

Every day you can slowly suck each lozenge after 2-3 hours, but no more than 8 pieces per day for adults and children over 12 years, at younger age the number of lozenges is reduced.

Tooth lozenges are indicated for use with all infectious and inflammatory lesions of the mouth when there is pain in the throat. Produces these lozenges for sore throat Slovenian pharmaceutical company KRKA, and a pack of 30 lozenges can be purchased for 150 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Septolete lozenges are very well tolerated by both adults and children. Diabetics should refrain from taking it, or note that each lozenge contains 175 mg of sugar. The instructions warn that it is undesirable to combine taking Septoleta and drinking milk, because milk reduces the effectiveness of antiseptics. Pregnant and lactating women can use lozenges, but for all categories of patients, including healthy people, who use lozenges for prevention, it is necessary to separate eating and resorption of medication. If you meet this simple condition, you can achieve a rapid reduction in sore throat.

Grammidin

Rating: 4.7

Grammidine contains a real antibiotic, or Gramicidin C. Grammidine is available in two forms: only Gramicidin, and Gramicidin with lidocaine added, or Gramicidin with anesthetic.

The second form is more effective for stopping a sore throat, since lidocaine immediately reduces pain during swallowing and decreases the sensitivity of pain receptors in the oral mucosa. A pronounced analgesic effect is maintained for 40 minutes after dissolution.

Gramicidin in high concentrations destroys bacteria, and an additional beneficial effect of Gramicidin is to stimulate salivation during resorption, which facilitates oropharyngeal clearance from all kinds of plaques, excess mucus, and inflammatory exudate, which is a substrate for the reproduction of pathogenic microflora. Grammidin is indicated in all the above-mentioned infectious-inflammatory lesions of the oropharynx, in sore throat and pharyngitis, in stomatitis erosive ulcerative gingivitis.

Apply Grammidin necessary between meals and liquids, adults are assigned two tablets, which follow one after the other with a break of half an hour, 4 times a day. Children under 12 years of age are prescribed Grammidin one tablet 4 times a day.

Grammidin is produced by a domestic company, Valenta Farm and the Shchelkovsky vitamin plant. A pack of 20 anti-septic lozenges with an anesthetic costs 350 rubles., Which is a fairly high price, compared to the other drugs in the ranking.

Advantages and disadvantages

As mentioned above, Grammidin with anesthetic is one of the best remedies for sore throat, it quickly and successfully relieves the pain syndrome. Also Grammidin is able to clear the throat of excess mucus by forming saliva, and the disadvantages of Grammidin are the prohibition of its use during breastfeeding, and cautious use during pregnancy. Allergic reactions to the drug occurs quite rarely, but if Grammidin with an anesthetic, lidocaine can lead to minor numbness of the tongue, as it happens during anesthesia at the dentist.

On the plus side, Grammidine is considered to enhance the antimicrobial effects of other drugs, which can be used together to gargle the throat, used as sprays and so on.

Lisobact

Rating: 4.6

Lisobact is the only antiseptic in the rating for the treatment of sore throat, which contains vitamin B6, or pyridoxine hydrochloride, as well as lysozyme. Lysozyme is produced in the human body, it is a protein enzyme, and is able to break down various bacterial cells, irreversibly damages the structures of fungi and viruses, and also takes a great part in the processes of local immunity on mucous membranes. Vitamin B6 promotes the earliest healing of erosions and ulcers, and helps in the production of secretory immunoglobulin class A.

Lizobact is available in tablets for swallowing and is indicated for all infectious-inflammatory lesions of the oral mucosa, gum pathology, stomatitis and ulcers, as well as herpetic lesions of the mouth. Lizobact should be chewed slowly, and the tablets should not be chewed. The longer the tablet stays in the mouth, the better. For adults it is usually enough to take two tablets up to 4 times a day, and for children from 3 to 7 years old one tablet three times a day is enough. Produces tablets for sore throat Lisobakt company Bosnalek, which is located in the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. One pack of Lizobakt in 30 tablets can be purchased for 220 rubles. retail.

Advantages and disadvantages

A big plus of Lisobact is its structural similarity to biological substances – lysozyme and pyridoxine, which are not foreign and immunogenic. Therefore, it is well tolerated by pregnant women and nursing mothers, helps children with sore throats well, the symptoms of overdose are practically not felt in the recommended doses, and as for the interaction of the drug with other drugs – it only enhances the effect of antibiotics, which cope with the infection faster.

Inexpensive medications for sore throat

Are there no such remedies for a sore throat, which do not require any significant financial cost, or at least are very accessible and cheap? Of course, there are, and these are products for gargling the throat. Let’s look at the most popular prescription prescriptions, which you can buy at the pharmacy or prepare yourself at home.

Gargle with table salt and tincture of iodine

Rating: 4.9

Everyone in the household has regular table salt, and five percent iodine tincture. If per glass of hot water to take one teaspoon of salt, drip three drops of iodine in it, stir, and the resulting remedy slowly rinse the throat every one and a half to two hours for a day or two, then it is quite possible to eliminate in uncomplicated cases of acute pain syndrome.

The explanation is very simple. Table salt, being in a fairly concentrated solution, begins to draw water from the surface of the swollen tonsils and the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. This reduces the swelling, and the irritation of the pain receptors is also reduced. It is not for nothing that dressings with a hypertonic salt solution have long and successfully been used in surgery to treat open and festered wounds

Iodine, on the other hand, performs a disinfectant and antimicrobial function, and quite with iodine intolerance, with thyroid pathology, with iodine-containing drugs, can be replaced by another surface antiseptic – a few drops of a solution of brilliant green.

Should baking soda be added? Many people add baking soda along with salt. In fact, soda as a means, which exhibits basic (alkaline) properties, contributes to the loosening of the mucosa of the oropharynx and the surface of the tonsils. And the looser surface is a convenient substrate for mechanical retention of plaque, microbial cells on it, and it is better to avoid such ready environments for the development of microorganisms. Therefore, it is better to do without baking soda.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of this method is the absolute cheapness and availability of the raw materials, the possibility to regulate the frequency of rinses, but the disadvantage is the need to prepare the procedure, warm the water and prepare a new portion for rinsing each time. The amount of iodine should not exceed three drops per glass of water, and this water should never be swallowed, even accidentally. That dose of iodine, which are contained in the tincture, in fact, are very large, and in no case can you apply the tincture for the treatment of iodine deficiency, as it is sometimes advised different newspapers. There are special vitamin complexes or medications for this purpose.

Furacilin

Rating: 4.8

You can buy it in pharmacies as small yellow tablets for external use and for preparation of solutions. The active ingredient is called nitrofural, and it is a drug of the nitrofuran series. One tablet with a mass of 0.2 g diluted in 100 ml of hot water, which is half a standard glass. In order to prepare a solution for the future, it is advisable to buy one pack of 10 tablets, and dilute them in 1 liter of water. Irbit Chemical Pharmaceutical Plant offers a pack of 10 tablets of Furacilin at a price that starts at 3 rubles. You can hardly find a more affordable remedy on sale.

The result will be a 0.2% solution of Furacilin, and gargle with acute sore throat 4 times a day, between meals and water, using one cup, or 200 ml of warm, almost hot solution. The course of treatment is about 5 days. The prepared solution should preferably be used in its entirety within 3 days, and it is better to store it in a cool place and well covered, in a glass container, not in a plastic container.

Of course, you can buy in the pharmacy and ready-made solution of furacilin for external use, which is sold in sterile vials of 400 ml. One bottle costs about 200 rubles. The whole advantage of this ready-made dosage form is that it is sterile, and also that it is prepared not by you but by other people. And yet, if you compare 3 rubles. and 400 rubles., it turns out that one bottle of furacilin turns out to be the most expensive remedy in the entire ranking of drugs to combat sore throat.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of this remedy and method is the extremely low cost of furacilin, quite high efficiency and effect on streptococci and staphylococci, to anaerobic microorganisms and to all major representatives of pathogenic flora, which cause lesions of the oropharyngeal mucosa. The negative aspects should include a ban on rinsing children under 3 years of age, when the baby does not know how to gargle the throat, as well as intolerance to nitrofurans, which can manifest itself as an allergic rash, nausea and throat irritation.

Cameton

Rating: 4.7

It is known that some of the quickest and most effective treatments for sore throats are sprays and aerosols. 8. Which of the aerosols is the most affordable for the citizens of the Russian Federation?? Are there any products that cost less than 100 rubles., and packaged as an aerosol? Yes, there is such a drug. This is Cameton. It contains camphor with a cooling effect, eucalyptus oil, levomenthol and chlorbutanol.

Kameton refers to disinfectants and antiseptics, it should be used for all inflammatory and infectious diseases of the mouth, which are accompanied by swelling, pain syndrome, hyperemia of mucous membranes and their redness. In addition, Kameton is indicated for use in rhinitis and sinusitis. The remedy should be sprayed in the oral cavity and, if necessary, in the nasal cavity, while inhaling.

The frequency of use is from 3 to 4 times a day. This spray is metered, that is, if you press the valve once, 100 mg of the drug will be sprayed from the can, which is very convenient, and constitutes a single therapeutic dose. Produces Cameton in a spray can of 45 ml domestic manufacturer Vips Med, priced from 55 rubles. As for the 20 ml spray in a spray bottle, its price is 38 rubles. For the package.

Advantages and disadvantages

Convenient form, metered mode of spraying the aerosol, and low price, have made Kameton very popular. Side effects in the form of allergic reactions and skin rash are very rare, systemic effects do not occur, since the drug does not enter the bloodstream. Cameton can be used in combination therapy. It is not recommended for children under 5 years of age, not because they would be harmed by the medication, but simply because they may not know how to handle aerosol cans well without adult supervision, and which may pose a known danger. It is also not recommended to use Cameton for pregnant and lactating women, but only because there is not enough experience of observation.

Conclusion

In a small rating it is impossible to consider not only all the medicines produced, but even all forms for local use. Thus, solutions for inhalation, including ultrasonic inhalation, which allow the elimination of sore throat, have been neglected. We did not consider the group of drugs for throat lubrication, in part because modern sprays and sprays are quite a substitute for such old drugs as Lugol solution.

Still, we can consider the main task completed. The reader, who has conscientiously studied the material provided, can quite orient himself in the variety of drugs sold for the relief of acute sore throat, and choose them according to his taste, form, and affluence.

The only thing to remember is the need to see a doctor, or even call a doctor at home in cases where the pain syndrome in the throat is accompanied by severe malaise. Symptoms such as fever or very low-grade fever, skin or mucous membranes, stool disorders, joint tenderness, jaundice, swollen lymph nodes, and other symptoms of a rapidly developing, severe infection should also be alert.

Self-treatment and the use of all the means listed in the rating is possible only in the case of the classical development of symptoms of a respiratory viral infection or a common cold, in the first days after the onset of the disease, as well as during recovery or recuperation.