Sore throat medicine, like acetaminophen, ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid, may be prescribed by your doctor to help relieve throat pain, irritation or inflammation caused by infections. These medications can also reduce fever and help facilitate swallowing or speaking.

Sore throats caused by bacterial infection may also be treated with antibiotics, like amoxicillin or azithromycin. These can help eliminate the bacteria causing infection, as well as relieve pain, redness or pus in the throat.

In addition to the sore throat medicine prescribed by your doctor, you can also consider home remedies like gargling with warm salt water or pomegranate peel tea.

What to take

Sore throat medicine that your doctor may prescribe can include:

1. Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is an analgesic that can be indicated for sore throats. It acts by inhibiting the production of substances in the brain that are related to for pain perception, such as prostaglandins or cyclooxygenases. This medicine also has an antipyretic action, which means it helps to reduce fevers.

This medicine can be found in pharmacies in the form of tablets, syrup or drops.

How to take: Dosing varies depending to the person's age and weight, and the form in which its taken (e.g. tablet, liquid, suppository, etc.)

Contraindications: This medication should not be taken by anyone with a history of liver or kidney disease, impaired bone marrow function or acetaminophen allergies.

2. Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic that is indicated for the relief of sore throat and fever. It slows down the formation of substances that cause inflammation in the throat, as well as reduce the substances that increase body temperature. it can be taken by adults and children over 6 months.

This medicine can be found in the form of drops, tablets, gelatin capsules or oral suspension, and should be taken as prescribed. Learn more about how to take ibuprofen and what it can be used for.

How to take: Ibuprofen should be taken orally, preferably after a meal to avoid stomach irritation.

The recommended doses of ibuprofen vary depending on the patient's age and weight and its form. Ibuprofen tablets, for example, can be taken by adults or children over 12 years old, usually with 1 to 2 tablets every 4, 6 or 8 hours.

Contraindications: Ibuprofen should not be used in patients with stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding or liver, kidney or heart failure. It should also not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women or children under 6 months of age.

The use of ibuprofen in children under 2 years of age should only be done as guided by a pediatrician.

3. Nimesulide

Nimesulide is an anti-inflammatory that can also be indicated for sore throat and fever. It can be taken by adults or children over 12 years of age, as prescribed by the doctor.

This medicine can be found in tablet, capsule, dissolvable tablet or granule form.

How to take: Nimesulide dosing will depend on the strength of medication and its form. Read more about nimesulide dosing and how it's taken.

Contraindications: nimesulide should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is also contraindicated for children under 12 years of age, people with ulcers or bleeding in the stomach or gut, blood clotting problems, severe heart, kidney or liver failure, asthma, rhinitis or nasal polyps.

In addition, nimesulide should not be taken by anyone who is allergic to this medicine or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen or naproxen.

4. Acetylsalicylic acid

Acetylsalicylic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is indicated to treat inflammation. It can relieve mild to moderate sore throat, and lower fever in adults and children.

This medicine is found in tablet form.

How to take: Acetylsalicylic acid should be taken orally, with a glass of water and preferably after a meal.

The recommended doses of acetylsalicylic acid depend on the person's age. The normally recommended doses of ASA for adults are one to two 500 mg tablets every 4 to 8 hours.

For children, the doctor will typically prescribe one 500 mg tablet up to 3 times a day.

Contraindications: Acetylsalicylic acid should not be used by people with dengue fever or who are allergic to salicylates or any other component of the tablets.

This medication should not be used by anyone with a history of a bleeding disorder, stomach or intestinal ulcers, asthma, and severe renal, hepatic or cardiac insufficiency. It is also contraindicated for anyone taking oral anticoagulants or methotrexate in doses higher than 15 mg per week.

Acetylsalicylic acid should also not be used during pregnancy unless prescribed by a doctor. For children under 12 years of age, the use of acetylsalicylic acid should only be done if advised by a pediatrician.

This medicine should not be taken together with alcohol, as it increases the risk of bleeding.

5. Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic prescribed for sore throats caused by bacterial infections. Dosing and treatment time vary dependong on the person's health status, age and body weight.

Learn more about how to take amoxicillin and what it can be taken for.

How to use: for adults and children weighing over 40 kg, the recommended dose is 250 to 500 mg orally, 3 times a day. In more severe infections, the doctor may suggest the use of 750 mg to 1g every 12 hours. See how to take amoxicillin.

Contraindications: This medication should not be taken by people who are allergic to amoxicillin, penicillins or cephalosporins. In addition, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with kidney problems or anyone taking medications should speak to their doctor before starting treatment with amoxicillin.

The doctor may also consider other antibiotics to treat sore throats , such as azithromycin, erythromycin, clindamycin or cephalexin. Learn more about the antibiotics for a sore throat that your doctor may consider.

6. Benzocaine

Benzocaine is a local anesthetic that is available over-the-counter for the treatment of a sore throat. It is available in the form of throat lozenges, throat sprays or oral fluids that help to numb throat tissue and block pain signals in the nerves.

Some benzocaine products may also be combined with menthol to provide a cooling, soothing effect.

How to take: Throat lozenges are placed on the tongue and dissolve slowly in the mouth to coat the throat and reduce discomfort. They can be taken every 2 to 4 hours. Throat sprays can be sprayed directly to the throat every 2 hours. Benzocaine gels or liquids can be applied to the throat with a cotton swab.

Contraindications: Local benzocaine productions should not be given to children two years of age. Be sure to read the manufacturer's label to determine the maximum recommended uses in a day.

7. Nystatin

Nystatin is an oral antifungal suspension that can be prescribed to help treat a sore throat caused by oral thrush. It can be obtained at the pharmacy with a prescription from your doctor or dentist.

Oral thrust is characterized by an overgrowth of yeast cells in the mouth, throat and tongue. It can lead to symptoms like a sore throat, a burning throat and white patches inside the mouth.

How to take: Swish the prescribed amount (usually 4 to 6 mL) in your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds. Then drink this slowly to coat your throat. This is typically done 4 times per day for one or two weeks.

Contraindications: This medication is generally safe and well-tolerated, but is totally contraindicated for anyone with an allergy to nystatin. You should speak to your doctor if you are pregnant or have a history of diabetes or a weakened immune system before taking this medication.

Home remedies

Some home remedies can be used to complement the treatment prescribed by your doctor and help to alleviate symptoms of throat inflammation, such as pain and discomfort.

Some home remedies for a sore throat include:

Gargle with warm water with lemon and a pinch of salt for 2 minutes, twice a day.
Gargle with pomegranate peel tea
Drink cherry or orange juice daily, as these are fruits rich in vitamin C
Apply a honey spray and propolis to the throat 3 to 4 times a day
Take 1 spoon of honey with 5 drops of propolis extract per day.

These remedies do not replace the medical treatment prescribed by your doctor, and can instead be used as a complement.

Medicine for children

Some medications that are safe for treating a sore throat in children include:

Acetaminophen, which can be taken by children from 2 years old, in the form of oral suspension or chewable tablets
Ibuprofen, which children from 6 months old can take in the form of oral suspension or chewable tablets
Nimesulide, which can be prescribed by the doctor for children 12 years old or older, in the form of tablets, capsules or oral suspensions;
Acetylsalicylic acid, in smaller strengths, as prescribed by a pediatrician

Amoxicillin as an oral suspension can also be prescribed to treat a sore throat caused by bacterial infections.

Treatment during pregnancy

Medications are generally not recommended when pregnant or breastfeeding because they can cause complications during pregnancy and pass to the baby through breast milk. In these cases, you should consult your doctor before taking medication for a sore throat. The safest medicine to take during pregnancy to relieve pain is acetaminophen, however, it should only be taken if approved by your doctor.

Pregnant women can opt for home remedies, which are safer, such as lemon and ginger tea. To make this tea, place a 4 cm peel of lemon and 1 cm of ginger in a cup of boiling water and wait for about 3 minutes. Then add 1 teaspoon of honey, let it cool and drink up to 3 cups of this tea per day. Alternatively, you can also gargle with water, lemon and salt.

Learn more about how to prepare a salt water gargle, as well as other gargles to relieve a sore throat.