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
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What are the side effects of Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol)?
Common Side Effects
- Throat numbness
Other Side Effects
- Mouth tingling
Serious Side Effects
- 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
Source:Â DailyMed
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.
Frequently asked questions about Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol)
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What are the 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 forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15mg/3.6mg | 18 lozenges | $5.36 | $0.30 |
Typical dosing 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.
Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol) contraindications
What are alternatives to Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat (benzocaine / menthol)?
Short-term relief of:
Sore mouth and throat
Mouth and throat pain
Mouth irritation
Temporarily relieves sore throat and minor pain and irritation in the mouth
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References
Best studies we foundAmerican Thoracic Society. (2020). What is menthol? American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Chrubasik, S., et al. (2012). Efficacy of a benzocaine lozenge in the treatment of uncomplicated sore throat. European Archives of Oto-rhino-laryngology.
Li, Z., et al. (2022). The distinctive role of menthol in pain and analgesia: Mechanisms, practices, and advances. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience.
Ludlow, J. T., et al. (2023). Methemoglobinemia. StatPearls.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Methemoglobinemia.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Menthol poisoning.
Mother To Baby. (2023). Benzocaine. Organization of Teratology Information Specialists.
Mother To Baby. (2023). When the sniffles strike during pregnancy: Cold meds & your questions answered.
Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. (2024). Chloraseptic Max- menthol and benzocaine lozenge [package insert]. DailyMed.
RB Health (US) LLC. (2024). Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat Cherry- benzocaine and menthol lozenge [package insert]. DailyMed.
Singh, R., et al. (2024). Benzocaine. StatPearls.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018). Risk of serious and potentially fatal blood disorder prompts FDA action on oral over-the-counter benzocaine products used for teething and mouth pain and prescription local anesthetics.
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