Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough is a brand of over-the-counter (OTC) lozenges that provide temporary relief from sore throat pain, mouth irritation, and cough caused by minor throat irritation, like from a cold. Each lozenge contains three active ingredients: menthol (to soothe and cool the throat), benzocaine (to numb pain), and dextromethorphan (to help stop coughing). The typical dose is 1 or 2 lozenges every 4 hours as needed. Most people tolerate it well, but side effects can include numbness in the mouth or throat.
Short-term relief of:
Minor irritation, pain, sore throat, and sore mouth
Cough caused by minor throat irritation, like from a cold
Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough is a combination of three medications.
Menthol is a local analgesic. It provides a cooling sensation and helps soothe throat irritation.
Benzocaine is a local anesthetic. It works by numbing the throat and mouth to ease pain.
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It works in the brain to lower your urge to cough.
Source:Â DailyMed
Available over the counter
Conveniently combines three medications in a single dose
Helps with sore throat, cough, and mouth irritation
Only provides temporary relief, so you might need to take it several times a day
Can cause mouth or throat numbness in some people
Can interact with certain medications
Place the Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough lozenge in your mouth and let it melt slowly. As it melts, the medication coats your mouth and throat to help with pain. Don't chew the lozenge.
Stop taking Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough and call your primary care provider if your symptoms don't get better after a week or get worse. If your cough returns or comes with a high fever, rash, or headache, it could be something more serious.
Speak with your primary care provider if your sore throat lasts more than 2 days or is very painful. If you also have fever, rash, headache, swelling, nausea, or vomiting, it could be something that might require antibiotics.
Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough contains dextromethorphan, which might make you sleepy or dizzy. Don’t drive or use machines until you know how it affects you. Don't drive until you know how the medication affects you.
Tell your health care team about all the medications you're taking, especially if you're taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). You shouldn’t take Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough with an MAOI or within 2 weeks of stopping one — this could lead to serotonin syndrome, a serious condition.
Be careful when using Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough with other cold, cough, or allergy medications. Check labels to make sure you’re not taking another product with one of the active ingredients (dextromethorphan, benzocaine, or menthol). If you’re unsure, ask your pharmacist for help.
Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough 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 factors: Taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) 14 days before taking Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough | Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels in your brain
Dextromethorphan in Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough can raise your risk of serotonin syndrome — a rare but serious condition caused by too much serotonin in the brain. Get medical help right away if you have symptoms like a fast heartbeat, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, or confusion.
Your risk is higher if you're also taking other medications that affect serotonin levels, such as certain antidepressants, MAOIs, and some migraine medications. Always tell your healthcare team about all medications and supplements you're taking so they can make sure Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough is safe to use with your other treatments.
Risk factors: Young children | Older adults | Breathing problems | Heart problems
Benzocaine in Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough can cause a rare but serious condition known as methemoglobinemia. This happens when your blood can’t carry enough oxygen throughout your body. The risk is higher in young children, older adults, and people with heart or breathing problems.
Symptoms of methemoglobinemia include headache, confusion, trouble breathing, fast heart rate, tiredness, and pale, gray, or blue skin, lips, or nail beds.These can show up within minutes to a couple of hours hours after taking Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough. They can also develop after taking the lozenges for the first time or even if you’ve taken it before without any problems. If you notice any of these symptoms, stop using the medication and contact a healthcare professional right away.
Don't take Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to topical pain medications like procaine, bupivacaine, topical lidocaine, or other "caine" anesthetics. Watch out for signs and symptoms of allergic reactions, such as hives, shortness of breath, swelling of your face, lips, or throat. Get medical attention right away if you have these signs and symptoms.
Risk factors: Taking other medications with dextromethorphan
Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat And Cough contains menthol, benzocaine, and dextromethorphan, which are also found in many other over-the-counter (OTC) products.
Taking more than one product containing dextromethorphan can lead to side effects or even an accidental overdose. These serious side effects can include seizures, hallucinations, heart rhythm problems, high blood pressure, and even fainting.
To avoid overdose, always read package labels carefully. If you're unsure if a product has any similar ingredients, ask your pharmacist. If you or your child might have taken too much, get medical help as soon as possible or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
15 lozenges of 6mg/5mg/10mg | 1 carton | $8.00 | $8.00 |
Each lozenge contains 10 mg of menthol, 6 mg of benzocaine, and 5 mg of dextromethorphan.
Adults and children over 12 years old: The typical dose is 2 lozenges dissolved in the mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don't use more than 12 lozenges in a 24-hour period.
Children 6 to 12 years old: The typical dose is 1 lozenge dissolved in the mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don't use more than 6 lozenges in a 24-hour period.
Children under 6 years old: Ask your child's provider.
Currently take or have taken an MAOI in the last 2 weeks
Short-term relief of:
Minor irritation, pain, sore throat, and sore mouth
Cough caused by minor throat irritation, like from a cold
Sore mouth and throat
Mouth and throat pain
Mouth irritation
Minor irritation in the mouth
Sore throat or mouth
Cough
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Folan, P., et al. (2017). What is menthol? American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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. (2024). Methemoglobinemia.
Mother To Baby. (2023). Benzocaine. Organization of Teratology Information Specialists.
Oh, S. R., et al. (2023). Dextromethorphan. StatPearls.
Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. (2024). Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat and Cough- menthol and benzocaine and dextromethorphan hydrobromide lozenge [package insert]. DailyMed.
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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