benzocaine / menthol
Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat is an over-the-counter throat lozenge that contains benzocaine and menthol, both local anesthetics. It's used to relieve sore throat and mouth pain in adults and children. Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) is dissolved in the mouth every 2 hours as needed. Side effects are rare, but can include mouth numbness and tingling. Benzocaine/menthol lozenges can also be found under other brand names, including Chloraseptic Max, as well as generics.
What is Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol)?
What is Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) used for?
Short-term relief of:
- Sore mouth and throat
- Mouth and throat pain
- Mouth irritation
How Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) works
Cepacol is a combination of two medications.
- Benzocaine is local anesthetic. It works by stopping pain signals from passing along the nerves in your mouth and throat. This temporarily numbs the area and relieves pain.
- Menthol is a pain reliever (topical analgesic). It's a chemical that's found in mint plants like peppermint. Menthol works by causing a cooling sensation and makes the nerves in your mouth and throat less sensitive to pain.
Drug facts
Side effects of Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Throat numbness
Less Common Side Effects
- Mouth tingling
Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe blood problem (methemoglobinemia): seizure; loss of consciousness; trouble breathing; fast heart rate; confusion; feeling dizzy, faint, or tired; skin color turning blue or pale
- Serious allergic reaction: swelling of the face, trouble breathing, throat tightening up, trouble speaking, red and itchy rash, lightheadedness, clammy skin
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Pros and cons of Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol)
Pros
- Works well to relieve throat or mouth pain
- Available in sugar-free options, so good for people with high blood sugar
- Has very few side effects
- Available over the counter
Cons
- Only for temporary relief of mouth or throat pain
- Pain relief is short, so need to take every 2 hours
- Most people don't experience complete pain relief
- Not safe to use for teething pain in babies or sore throat in toddlers
Pharmacist tips for Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol)
- Place the Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) lozenge in your mouth and let it slowly melt. As it melts, the medication will coat your mouth and throat to relieve pain. Don't chew on the lozenge.
- Don't take more than one medication or product containing menthol or benzocaine at the same time unless a healthcare professional (HCP) instructed you to do so. This can raise your risk for serious side effects from benzocaine, like low blood pressure and methemoglobinemia.
- If you still have a sore throat after using Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) for 2 days, call an HCP to see if you need to be examined. This could be a sign of a more serious condition that needs more medical attention.
- Speak to your primary care provider if your sore throat pain is severe or it doesn't seem to go away. Also talk to them if you have fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting with your sore throat. These could be signs of a throat infection, like strep throat or tonsillitis. You might need antibiotics to treat the infection.
- Stop using Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) and contact your primary care provider if your sore mouth symptoms don't get better after 1 week or if any irritation, pain, or redness doesn't get better or worsens. Also stop using the lozenges and talk to an HCP if any swelling, rash, or fever develops. These might be signs of a more serious medical problem.
- Benzocaine/menthol lozenges made by different manufacturers might have different age cut-offs. Always read the package labels for instructions and age limits before giving Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) to your child.
- Never use Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) for teething pain in your baby or sore throat in your toddler because it can lead to serious side effects. Some other options for sore throat include using a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer at home. You can also try giving your toddler popsicles to suck on to soothe their sore throat.
- Store Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) up and away and out of children's reach and sight. This prevents them from accidentally swallowing medicine that was left out. Always put medication away every time you use it. Throw away expired medications at medication take-back sites.
Common questions about Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol)
The pain-relieving effects of benzocaine and soothing effects of menthol only last about 2 hours. So, you might need to take another dose after 2 hours to continue to feel relief.
Only take Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) as directed. Taking too many Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) can lead to serious side effects, like severely low blood pressure, slow heart rate, or methemoglobinemia (a life-threatening condition that affects your red blood cells). Taking too much can also lead to stomach-related side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Contact your primary care provider if you're concerned you took too much Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol).
Check the manufacturer's directions and age cut-off of your benzocaine/menthol lozenge for specific instructions. In general, adults and children ages 5 years and older can take Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) up to every 2 hours as needed. This means that you don't have to take it if you're not having symptoms.
No, Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) doesn't typically make you sleepy. Contact your primary care provider if you notice you've become too sleepy to go about your day. They can help figure out what might be causing it.
Check with your child's pediatrician to see if Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) is safe for your child. In general, your child can take it if they meet the manufacturer's age cut-off, which is adults and children ages 5 years and older for Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat. But this lozenge might not be appropriate for all children who meet the age cut-off, especially for those who are at higher risk for methemoglobinemia, a rare but potentially life-threatening blood condition.
There's limited research about whether benzocaine or menthol are safe to use during pregnancy. But current information suggests that both medications are unlikely to cause harm to a baby. To be safe, ask your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) whether Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) is right for you if you're pregnant. You can also consider other non-medication remedies for soothing a sore throat, such as gargling with salt water and drinking warm liquids.
Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) is considered safe to take while breastfeeding because little, if any, of each medication gets into breastmilk. However, it's best to double check with your OB-GYN provider to be on the safe side.
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Risks and warnings for Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol)
Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of serious blood problem (methemoglobinemia)
- Risk factors: Young children | Older people with heart or breathing problems | History of smoking cigarettes | People with low levels of glucose-6-phosphodiesterase (G6PD)
Benzocaine in Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat can cause a rare, but serious condition known as methemoglobinemia. With this condition, your blood can't carry enough oxygen for your body. The risk for methemoglobinemia is higher in young children, older adults, and people with heart or breathing problems.
Signs and symptoms of methemoglobinemia include headache; confusion; trouble breathing; fast heart rate; feeling tired; and pale, gray- or blue-colored skin, lips, and nail beds. These can appear within minutes to 1 to 2 hours after taking Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol). They can also develop after taking the lozenges for the first time or even if you've taken it previously. Contact your primary care provider right away if you notice any of these symptoms after taking Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol).
Need medical attention for severe sore throat
Only use Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) to temporarily relieve mouth and throat pain. Please talk to your primary care provider right away if the pain lasts longer than 2 days or gets worse. Also speak to a healthcare professional if you have fever, headache, nausea, or vomiting in addition to your sore throat. These can be signs and symptoms of a more serious medical condition.
Serious allergic reaction
Don't use Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) if you have an allergy to pain medications that end in "caine," such as procaine, bupivacaine, or lidocaine. These pain medications are similar to benzocaine.
Watch out for signs and symptoms of serious allergic reactions, such as hives; trouble breathing; and swelling of your face, lips, or throat. Get medical attention right away if you have these signs and symptoms.
Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) dosage
Lozenge| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15mg/3.6mg | 18 lozenges | $5.36 | $0.30 |
Typical dosage for Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol)
Benzocaine/menthol lozenges made by different manufacturers might have different strengths, directions, and age cut-offs. To make sure you're taking this medication correctly, follow the specific product instructions on the package or talk with your care team about how to use it. Below are some examples:
-
Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat: Each lozenge contains 15 mg of benzocaine and 3.6 mg of menthol.
- Ages 5 years and older: The typical dose is to dissolve 1 lozenge by mouth every 2 hours as needed.
- Age under 5 years: Do not use. Ask your child's pediatrician.
-
Chloraseptic Max: Each lozenge contains 15 mg of benzocaine and 10 mg of menthol.
- Ages 6 years and older: The typical dose is to dissolve 1 lozenge by mouth every 2 hours as needed.
- Age under 6 years: Do not use. Ask your child's pediatrician.
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Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) will not be safe for you to take.
What are alternatives to Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol)?
Short-term relief of: