Meds for sore throat and stuffy nose

There are many over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can help relieve pain, redness, or itchiness from a sore throat. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to determine which medication might be best for you.

Although sore or itchy throats are common during the winter months, they can occur year round. And once you have one, you want to figure out how to get rid of it fast. Luckily, there are many over-the-counter (OTC) medications and remedies for relieving a sore throat.

We’ll start by covering what can cause a sore throat and then share some of the best medications to heal one. We’ll also provide recommended age ranges for medications and precautions to take if you have certain health conditions. This way, you can decide which sore throat medicine might be best for you. If you decide that OTC sore throat medicines are not the best option for you, there are other remedies you can try instead.

A sore throat is often caused by one of the following:

Most sore throats are caused by viruses. However, some can be a result of bacteria — such as the type that causes strep throat — and may require antibiotics. If you have a sore throat, you can ask your healthcare provider to do a swab to determine its cause. Based on the results, they can recommend medications that’ll work best for you in helping your sore throat heal.

Regardless of the cause, a sore throat can be irritating and painful. The good news is, OTC medications, as well as other remedies, can help relieve the discomfort from having a sore throat.

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Promotion disclosure

GoodRx Health information and resources is reviewed by our editorial staff with medical and healthcare policy and pricing experience. See our editorial policy for more detail. We also provide access to services offered by GoodRx and our partners when we think these services might be useful to our visitors. We may receive compensation when a user decides to leverage these services, but making them available does not influence the medical content our editorial staff provides.

What are the best medicines for a sore throat?

Pain relievers

Certain pain-relieving medications can help control the pain from a sore throat. There are many possible pain-relieving OTC medications for a sore throat. Most of them consist of a pill or liquid taken by mouth.

Popular ones include:

Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They relieve pain and redness by lowering inflammation and swelling. It isn’t fully understood how acetaminophen (Tylenol) works — this is still a topic of debate among researchers.

Here are some important considerations before taking any pain-relieving medicines for a sore throat:

• Children who are at least 6 months old can be given ibuprofen (Motrin) for mild to moderate pain relief. Ibuprofen is not recommended for children under 6 months. In general, for children under 2 years, it’s best to get appropriate dosage information from a healthcare provider.

• Overall, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is safe and effective for use in infants and children. For infants under 3 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends consulting a healthcare provider to determine appropriate acetaminophen dosage.

• Check with your healthcare provider before using pain relievers for a sore throat. Specifically, if you have liver problems, use caution before taking acetaminophen. Likewise, if you have high blood pressure or kidney problems, consult your healthcare provider and pharmacist before using NSAIDs.

• If you’ve had an allergic reaction to aspirin or any other NSAID medication, do not use NSAIDs. Similarly, avoid these medications if you experience pain before or after a coronary bypass surgery.

Numbing medications

Certain numbing medications are another option for a sore throat. Also known as anesthetics, these medications 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:

• Chloraseptic sprays

• Throat lozenges, like Cepacol or Halls

• Vicks VapoCOOL throat spray

Numbing medications contain ingredients like benzocaine, menthol, and phenol to numb the throat. Keep in mind that while these medicines are effective in managing a sore throat, they can numb other areas of the mouth such as the tongue or cheeks.

While numbing medications are considered one of the best for a sore throat, they are not FDA-approved. Not only that, but the FDA issued a warning, which says that OTC medications containing benzocaine should not be given to children under 2 years. This is because these products can cause oxygen levels in the blood to drop to dangerously low levels.

Demulcents

Demulcents — while not always considered to be medications — are one of the most common sore throat treatments. An oral demulcent can be used to relieve minor discomfort and protect irritated areas. Oral demulcents work by coating the throat with a soothing film that helps with redness and pain.

They can be found in the following dosage forms:

• Throat lozenges

• Cough drops

• Sore throat and cough pops

• Throat spray

In order to make medicines more effective in treating a sore throat, many products combine certain active ingredients. These are known as combination medicines. Many oral demulcents often contain a numbing agent to reduce pain and soothe the throat. Some examples of these combination medications for a sore throat 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 be used as sore throat medications and can help stop or even prevent an itchy throat. These medications work by blocking histamine release in the body, which is a chemical that can cause allergic reactions.

The following are some examples of OTC oral antihistamines:

Adults who are 65 and older or individuals who have glaucoma or peptic ulcers should speak to a healthcare provider before taking antihistamines.

Sore Throat Remedies

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 are not the right choice for them. If you choose not to take these sore throat medications, there are several other remedies you can consider. Some non-medication options, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), include:

• Gargling with salt water

• Sucking on ice chips, popsicles or lozenges (not recommended for children under 2 years)

• Using a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer to help prevent dryness in the throat

• Drinking warm beverages and staying hydrated

• Using honey to relieve a sore throat or cough (only recommended for children 12 months or older)

Outside of medications and remedies, there are also some key steps you can take to prevent a sore throat:

• Identify allergens or triggers that might be causing your throat to become sore. This way, you can avoid them in the future.

• Stay away from smoke, which can cause dryness or soreness in the throat.

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.

• Avoid meeting people who are sick.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a sore throat can progress. If you notice that symptoms like redness or pain worsen, talk to your healthcare provider. They can make other recommendations or prescribe medications to help treat your sore throat.

The bottom line

A sore throat — no matter its cause — can be quite painful and irritating. Thankfully, there are many OTC medications that can help soothe a sore throat. Some of the best medicines for a sore throat include pain relievers, numbing medications, demulcents, and antihistamines.

OTC medications for a sore throat may not be the best option for everyone. In that case, there are many remedies that can help relieve pain, dryness, or redness that often come with a sore throat. Frequent hand washing, avoiding allergens and smoke, and reducing contact with people who are sick can also help prevent a sore throat.

Remember to talk to your healthcare provider and pharmacist before taking any OTC sore throat medications. As always, make sure to only use medicines as directed.

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