Best Over-the-Counter Medications and Remedies for a Sore Throat
Key takeaways:
A sore throat can happen for many reasons. Some of the top culprits are allergies, bacterial infections, and viruses that cause the common cold or flu.
Several over-the-counter (OTC) medications can relieve pain or itchiness from a sore throat. If you prefer not to take medication, a few home remedies can also help.
Most sore throat medications and remedies provide quick relief and can save you a trip to the health clinic. But if you feel like your symptoms are getting worse rather than better, make sure to contact a healthcare professional to rule out a more serious infection.
Sore throats are uncomfortable. They can also make eating, drinking, and talking difficult. They’re most common during the colder or winter months but can happen at any time of the year. And once you have one, you’ll likely want to figure out how to get rid of it fast. Thankfully, there are many over-the-counter (OTC) medications and natural remedies you can try to relieve a sore throat.
Below, we’ll talk about what causes a sore throat, the best OTC treatments to consider, and some natural remedies you can try. We’ll also share tips to help you decide on the best thing for a sore throat.
Quiz: Do I have strep throat?
What causes a sore throat?
Most sore throats are caused by viruses, such as those that cause the common cold or flu. Bacteria can also be at fault, which may warrant a course of antibiotics. Allergens — namely pollen, dust, or pet dander — are another potential culprit. So is acid reflux (GERD), even though many people don’t always associate the two.
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If you have a sore throat, talk with a healthcare professional. They can help you figure out the likely cause of your symptoms and recommend an appropriate sore throat treatment. Many OTC sore throat medicines and home remedies can help relieve the pain and discomfort from a sore throat.
What are the best over-the-counter treatments for a sore throat?
Pain relievers
Many pain-relieving OTC medications can help relieve pain from a sore throat. Most of them are available in pill and liquid forms. Popular ones include:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Naproxen (Aleve)
Ibuprofen and naproxen belong to a group of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They relieve pain and redness by lowering inflammation and swelling.
Here are some important things to consider before taking any pain-relieving medication for a sore throat.
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Numbing medications
Topical numbing medications are another option for a sore throat. Also known as anesthetics, these sore throat medicines contain ingredients like benzocaine, menthol, and/or phenol. They temporarily numb the throat to help relieve pain. OTC medications that contain numbing agents are usually available as a throat spray or lozenge.
Some of these medications include:
Throat lozenges, such as Cepacol or Halls
Surprising causes of a sore throat: Discover what could trigger your discomfort — from allergies and infection to muscle strains.
Soothing self-care: It can take days to get relief from strep throat pain. In the meantime, home remedies and self-care practices can make you more comfortable.
Comfort foods: Certain foods and drinks can help ease — or aggravate — a painful throat. Here’s what to choose and what to avoid.
COVID sore throat: The viral illness is sometimes accompanied by a scratchy sore throat. Here’s what four people who experienced a COVID sore throat say it feels like.
Keep in mind that while these medications are effective in managing a sore throat, they can numb other areas of the mouth, such as the tongue or cheeks.
It’s important to note that numbing medications are not FDA approved for a sore throat. The FDA has also issued a warning that medications containing benzocaine should not be given to children under 2 years old. This is because these products can cause dangerously low oxygen levels in the blood.
Demulcents
Oral demulcents are substances that help soothe irritation inside your throat. They work by forming a protective coating that helps reduce irritation, redness, and pain. Some common examples of demulcents include:
Throat lozenges
Cough drops
Sore throat and cough pops
Throat spray
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Many oral demulcents often contain a numbing agent for additional relief. Some examples of these combination medications include:
Glycerin and phenol (Chloraseptic Max Strength Sore Throat Spray)
Benzocaine, honey, and glycerin (Chloraseptic Warming Sore Throat Lozenges)
Menthol, honey, and glycerin (Ricola Dual Action)
Antihistamines
Antihistamines can help relieve a sore or itchy throat, especially when caused by allergies. These medications work by blocking the release of histamine in the body, which is a chemical that can cause inflammation and allergic reactions.
Here are some examples of OTC oral antihistamines:
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Diphenhist)
Loratadine (Claritin)
Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
Antihistamines can cause side effects that may not be safe for everyone, though. This is particularly true for:
Adults over 65 years old
Children under 6 years old
People with glaucoma
Anyone who has difficulty urinating
It’s always a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional before taking antihistamines, especially if you have other medical conditions or take other medications.
Which sore throat remedies work best?
Pain relievers, numbing medications, demulcents, and antihistamines are considered some of the best medicines for a sore throat. But some people may decide that OTC medications aren’t the right choice for them. If this is the case for you, there are several other sore throat remedies you can consider.
Popular non-medication options include:
Sucking on ice chips or popsicles
Drinking warm fluids, like soups or herbal teas (chamomile tea may be particularly helpful)
Using a humidifier or cool mist vaporizer to add moisture to dry air
Taking a spoonful of honey (only recommended for children 12 months or older)
There are additional remedies that people commonly use for a sore throat. But there’s not enough scientific evidence to know for sure how well they work. Examples include:
Marshmallow root (not to be confused with foods containing marshmallow)
As with many supplements and herbal remedies, there’s not enough research to confirm how safe and effective they are. While many are likely safe and harmless at low doses, it’s always best to use caution. When in doubt, ask your prescriber or local pharmacist — especially if you take other medications.
How to prevent a sore throat
Beyond medications and remedies, there are also some simple steps you can take to lower your chances of getting a sore throat in the first place:
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, which can help reduce the spread of germs that may cause sore throat.
Identify allergens or triggers that might be causing your throat symptoms to worsen. This way, you can avoid them in the future.
Stay away from smoke, which can cause dryness or sore throat.
Treat any reflux or heartburn symptoms, especially if you have them before bed or during the night.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
The bottom line
A sore throat — no matter its cause — can be painful and irritating. Thankfully, there are many over-the-counter sore throat medicines that can help. And if you prefer to avoid medications, you can try natural remedies, which can be quite effective, too. These include simple things like gargling with salt water or experimenting with cool or warm fluids to see which one helps most.
If you feel like nothing is helping, or your symptoms are getting worse, it’s a good idea to contact a healthcare professional. They can work with you to find the best sore throat medicine for your situation.
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References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Sore throat basics.
Chakraborty, K., et al. (2022). Bioactive components of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), their pharmacological and ameliorative potential and ethnomedicinal benefits: A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry.
Dai, Y., et al. (2022). Chamomile: A review of its traditional uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and quality control studies. Molecules.
Eccles, R., et al. (2017). Soothing properties of glycerol in cough syrups for acute cough due to common cold. Pharmacy.
Fink, C., et al. (2018). Marshmallow root extract for the treatment of irritative cough: Two surveys on users' view on effectiveness and tolerability. Complementary Medicine Research.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Ibuprofen dosing for children.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2019). Using dietary supplements wisely.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2020). Licorice root.
Sullivan, J. E., et al. (2011). Fever and antipyretic use in children. Pediatrics.
The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company. (2024). Vicks VapoCOOL sore throat- benzocaine and menthol spray [package insert].
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018). Safety information on benzocaine-containing products.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022). Over-the-counter (OTC) monograph M022: Oral healthcare drug products for over-the-counter human use.
