Dyclonine (Monograph)
Brand name: Sucrets
Drug class: Local Anesthetics
ATC class: R02AD04
VA class: DE700
CAS number: 536-43-6
Introduction
Local anesthetic.
Uses for Dyclonine
Oral/Throat Analgesia/Anesthesia
Self-medication for the short-term relief of minor sore throat pain and mouth and gum irritation.
In fixed combination with menthol as self-medication for temporary relief of occasional minor irritation, pain, or soreness of mouth or throat, and for cough associated with a cold or inhaled irritants.
Local Anesthesia
Has been used as a local anesthetic agent prior to laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, esophagoscopy, or endotracheal intubation. However, oral solutions no longer are commercially available in the US.
Dyclonine Dosage and Administration
Administration
Oral Administration
Administer orally as a lozenge.
Allow the lozenge to slowly dissolve in the mouth; do not bite or chew it.
Dosage
Pediatric Patients
Oral/Throat Pain
Oral
Children ≥2 years of age: 1 lozenge (1.2, 2, or 3 mg); repeat after 2 hours if necessary.
Adults
Oral/Throat Pain
Oral
1 lozenge (1.2, 2, or 3 mg); repeat after 2 hours if necessary.
Prescribing Limits
Pediatric Patients
Oral/Throat Pain
Oral
Children ≥2 years of age: Maximum 10 lozenges daily. Not for self-medication of sore throat for >2 days or sore mouth >7 days.
Adults
Oral/Throat Pain
Oral
Maximum 10 lozenges daily. Not for self-medication of sore throat for >2 days or sore mouth >7 days.
Special Populations
No special population dosage recommendations at this time.
Cautions for Dyclonine
Contraindications
-
Known hypersensitivity to dyclonine or any ingredient in the formulation.
Warnings/Precautions
Sensitivity Reactions
Allergic Reactions
Use with caution in patients with a known allergy to dyclonine.
Sensitization and allergic reactions are infrequent. Possible hypersensitivity reactions to anesthetics may manifest as cutaneous lesions with delayed onset, urticaria, swelling, and edema.
General Precautions
Systemic Effects
Systemic (e.g., CNS, cardiovascular) effects possible with excessive dosage or rapid absorption of dyclonine.
Adverse CNS effects may include excitation and/or depression, nervousness, dizziness, blurred vision, or tremors followed by seizures, unconsciousness, drowsiness, and possibly respiratory arrest.
Adverse cardiovascular effects may include myocardial depression, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiac arrest.
Patient Monitoring
If sore throat is severe or persistent (e.g., >2 days) or occurs with or is followed by a high fever, persistent headache, rash, swelling, irritation, and nausea, discontinue the drug and consult a clinician.
If sore mouth symptoms do not improve after 7 days, discontinue the drug and consult a clinician.
Infection or Trauma
Use with extreme caution in areas with traumatized mucosa and/or when sepsis is present in the region of intended application.
Use of Fixed Combination
When used in fixed combination with other agents, consider the cautions, precautions, and contraindications associated with the concomitant agents.
Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Safety has not been established in pregnant women. Manufacturers state that pregnant women should consult a clinician prior to use.
Lactation
Manufacturers state that nursing women should consult a clinician prior to use.
Pediatric Use
Safety of dyclonine lozenges not established in children <2 years of age; consult a clinician or dentist prior to use in such patients.
Common Adverse Effects
Irritation, stinging.
Dyclonine Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Onset
Following topical application of a 0.5 or 1% solution of dyclonine (both no longer commercially available in the US) to mucous membranes, local anesthesia occurs within 2–10 minutes.
Duration
Following topical application of a 0.5 or 1% solution of dyclonine, anesthesia persists for approximately 30 minutes.
Stability
Storage
Oral
Lozenges
Protect from excessive heat (temperatures >38°C).
Actions
-
Local anesthetic and analgesic.
Advice to Patients
-
Advise patients to suck rather than chew or bite the lozenge.
-
Advise patients to consult a clinician prior to use for a chronic cough secondary to smoking, asthma, or emphysema or a cough accompanied by excessive phlegm.
-
Advise patients to discontinue the drug and consult a clinician if sore throat symptoms or cough do not improve after 2 days or if sore mouth symptoms do not improve after 7 days.
-
If irritation, pain, or hypersensitivity occurs, discontinue use and consult a clinician or dentist.
-
Importance of informing clinician of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, as well as any concomitant illnesses.
-
Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.
-
Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)
Preparations
Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.
Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.
* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name
Routes |
Dosage Forms |
Strengths |
Brand Names |
Manufacturer |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oral |
Lozenges |
1.2 mg* |
Sucrets Children’s |
Insight |
2 mg* |
Sucrets Regular Strength |
Insight |
||
3 mg* |
Sucrets Maximum Strength |
Insight |
Routes |
Dosage Forms |
Strengths |
Brand Names |
Manufacturer |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oral |
Lozenges |
3 mg with Menthol 6 mg |
Sucrets Complete |
Insight |
AHFS DI Essentials™. © Copyright 2025, Selected Revisions February 1, 2008. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
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