Throat sprays are a form of drug administration that allows for quick and precise application of the drug to the site of pain. The effect of a specific preparation is directly dependent on the active substance it contains. There are throat sprays that contain local anesthetic, antibacterial, or coating ingredients. In what situations is it worth choosing this form of the drug? What are the benefits of using throat sprays?

Aerosols are, next to tablets and syrups, one of the most frequently chosen forms of acute treatment of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract by patients. This solution has a number of advantages. Medicines given in the form of a throat spray work directly at the site of injection. Thanks to this, active substances penetrate very well through the surface of the mucous membranes, reaching a higher concentration in diseased tissues than in the case of oral administration.

An additional advantage of throat sprays is the speed of application. Sucking a pill at work or in social situations can be confusing. In the case of a throat spray, it takes less than a minute to take the medicine. Sprays work well for young children. They are a safer choice than lozenges, which a small patient can choke on. The lozenge form is not recommended before the child is six years old. At the same time, there are many throat sprays available in pharmacies that can be used by one-year-old little ones.

Over-the-counter throat sprays available in pharmacies differ significantly in their therapeutic activity. For example, a preparation containing an analgesic substance does not block the development of infection, it only works symptomatically. Antibacterial drug sprays may be less pain-relieving while preventing the development of an infection. Throat sprays with a coating effect moisturize the mucosa of the throat and soothe inflammation.

Throat spray - types

Throat sprays can be divided into:

  • coating or moisturizing - contain substances that act on the surface, often of plant origin, e.g. Icelandic lichen extract,
  • anti-infective - contain substances with antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and analgesic properties, e.g. benzydamine,
  • painkillers - contain substances oanalgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, e.g. flurbiprofen.

When to use a throat analgesic or disinfectant spray?

Throat sprays are a good method of self-treatment of throat inflammation at the beginning of an infection, before visiting a doctor. In the case of acute sore throat, it is worth choosing a preparation containing a drug with analgesic properties (flurbiprofen, lidocaine) or disinfectants (benzoxonium chloride, benzydamine).

The indication for the use of analgesic and disinfectant throat sprays is inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, manifested by pain, difficulty swallowing and swelling of the mucous membranes.

Aerosols of this nature, available in Polish pharmacies:

  • Strepsils Intensive Direct (flurbiprofen),
  • Orofar Total Action (benzoxonium chloride, lidocaine),
  • Uniben (benzydamine),
  • Hascosept (benzydamine),
  • Tantum Verde (benzydamine).

These drugs contain active substances that cannot be used continuously. Therefore, when taking these throat sprays, be sure to adhere to the treatment time specified in the package insert.

In the event of no improvement in he alth or exacerbation of disease symptoms after 3-5 use of the drug, see a doctor, and then adjust further treatment to the specialist's recommendations.

When to use a moisturizing or coating throat spray?

Sprays with moisturizing and coating properties are recommended in the case of troublesome dry throat and hoarseness. This group includes non-drug medical devices that can be used prophylactically, e.g. by people who work with their voice.

Indications for throat moisturizing and coating sprays:

  • scratchy throat,
  • dry cough irritation,
  • dry mucous membranes caused by taking medications (e.g. antihypertensive drugs, antidepressants),
  • dry throat caused by hormonal disorders or diabetes,
  • intensive voice work,
  • dry throat as a result of staying in heated or air-conditioned rooms,
  • dry mucous membranes caused by smoking,
  • helpful in the treatment of sore throat and hoarseness.

Preparations from this group often contain plant extracts. Examples of throat sprays with moisturizing and coating properties available in Polish pharmacies:

  • Fiorda spray (Iceland lichen extract, marshmallow root extract),
  • Glosal for dry throat (fractured cartilage extract),
  • Miramile tonsil spray(myrrh balsam oil, calendula oil),
  • Oritolin spray (European olive oil, vitamin E).

Throat moisturizing and coating sprays can be taken continuously, in most cases, without any treatment time limits.

Throat spray - rules of use, interactions with other drugs

Throat sprays differ significantly in composition, which makes it difficult to create universal rules for safe use for these preparations. Much of the pain relief sprays contain highly active substances that can only be taken for a few days. For this reason, before starting pharmacotherapy yourself, read the leaflet carefully, respecting the frequency of taking the drug and the duration of treatment.

Some of the throat pain relief sprays can interact with other medications, such as:

  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
  • aspirin,
  • drugs to lower blood pressure,
  • diuretics,
  • diabetes medications.

It should be noted, however, that adverse effects of interactions are very rare, as throat sprays act locally, absorbing only to a small extent into the blood.

Throat sprays are often taken alternately with lozenges. This is the recommended method for self-relief of minor upper respiratory tract infections. When combining the aerosol with tablets, however, remember that these two drugs must not contain the same active substance.

Failure to follow this rule may lead to overdosing of the drug which is harmful to your he alth. For example, too high a dose of benzydamine, which is found in both throat tablets and sprays, can cause delusions, hallucinations, dry mouth and seizures.

Throat spray - can it be used during pregnancy?

Present in many throat sprays, benzydamine has a very high safety profile, which means that its use in a concentration of 1.5 mg / ml is not prohibited in pregnant and breastfeeding women.

This only applies to sprays containing this substance in the composition. Before using the drug by pregnant patients, carefully check the recommendations in the leaflet.

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