Skip to main content
Print

Medications for Sore Throat

A sore throat is inflammation, irritation or pain of the throat. It is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

Drugs used to treat Sore Throat

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Cepacol Sore Throat 10 1 review for Cepacol Sore Throat to treat Sore Throat
OTC N N

Generic name: benzocaine / menthol topical

Drug class: mouth and throat products

For consumers: interactions, side effects

Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray 3.6 24 reviews for Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray to treat Sore Throat
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: phenol topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: side effects

Halls Mentho-Lyptus Drops 10 1 review for Halls Mentho-Lyptus Drops to treat Sore Throat
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: menthol topical

Drug class: topical rubefacient

For consumers: dosage, side effects

phenol 4.6 32 reviews for phenol to treat Sore Throat
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: phenol topical

Brand names:  Chloraseptic Sore Throat Spray, Phenaseptic Cherry, Assure Sore Throat, Cepastat Extra Strength, Cheracol Sore Throat, Mycinette Sore Throat Spray, Ora Relief Throat, Pain-A-Lay Gargle …show all

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: side effects

Chloraseptic Sore Throat Lozenges Rate Add review
OTC N N

Generic name: benzocaine / menthol topical

Drug class: mouth and throat products

For consumers: interactions, side effects

benzocaine 9.0 1 review for benzocaine to treat Sore Throat
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: benzocaine topical

Brand names:  Cepacol Dual Relief Sore Throat, Laryngesic, Cepacol Fizzlers, Detane …show all

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

benzocaine / menthol 5.5 2 reviews for benzocaine / menthol to treat Sore Throat
OTC N N

Generic name: benzocaine / menthol topical

Brand names:  Cepacol Sore Throat, Chloraseptic Sore Throat Lozenges

Drug class: mouth and throat products

For consumers: interactions, side effects

menthol 9.5 2 reviews for menthol to treat Sore Throat
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: menthol topical

Brand names:  Halls Mentho-Lyptus Drops, Vicks Cough Drops, Cepacol Sore Throat From Post Nasal Drip, Luden's Honey Lemon Throat Drops, N Ice …show all

Drug class: topical rubefacient

For consumers: dosage, side effects

Vicks Cough Drops Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: menthol topical

Drug class: topical rubefacient

For consumers: dosage, side effects

Cepacol Dual Relief Sore Throat 9.0 1 review for Cepacol Dual Relief Sore Throat to treat Sore Throat
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: benzocaine topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Laryngesic Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: benzocaine topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Cepacol Fizzlers Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: benzocaine topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Cepacol Sore Throat From Post Nasal Drip Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: menthol topical

Drug class: topical rubefacient

For consumers: dosage, side effects

Detane Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: benzocaine topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Phenaseptic Cherry Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: phenol topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: side effects

dyclonine 4.5 2 reviews for dyclonine to treat Sore Throat
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: dyclonine topical

Brand name:  Dyclopro

Drug class: topical anesthetics, mouth and throat products

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Luden's Honey Lemon Throat Drops Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: menthol topical

Drug class: topical rubefacient

For consumers: dosage, side effects

Assure Sore Throat Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: phenol topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: side effects

Cepastat Extra Strength Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: phenol topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: side effects

Cheracol Sore Throat Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: phenol topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: side effects

Mycinette Sore Throat Spray Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: phenol topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: side effects

N Ice Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: menthol topical

Drug class: topical rubefacient

For consumers: dosage, side effects

Ora Relief Throat Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: phenol topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: side effects

Pain-A-Lay Gargle Rate Add review
Rx/OTC N N

Generic name: phenol topical

Drug class: topical anesthetics

For consumers: side effects

benzocaine / butamben / tetracaine Rate Add review
Rx N N

Generic name: benzocaine / butamben / tetracaine topical

Drug class: mouth and throat products

For consumers: interactions, side effects

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Alternative treatments for Sore Throat

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Sore Throat. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Sore Throat.

Learn more about Sore Throat

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer