Lozenge or lolly? How to find a cough drop that actually works

You’ll often find throat lozenges sharing the shelves with lollies. But can they actually help a sore throat or tickly cough, or are they just another sugar hit?

Here, we look at the truth behind lozenges so you know which ones can help.

According to Dr Chelsie McMullin, Bupa Medical Advisor and GP, finding the right throat lozenge (aka cough drop) all comes down to its ingredients.

“You need to make sure that there's an active ingredient that will target the symptom you have, whether it’s an anaesthetic for the pain or an antiseptic to kill bacteria,” she says.

With so many options to choose from, it helps to understand the differences between the different lozenges.

A sore, inflamed throat is often the first sign of a cold. It can feel like you’re swallowing razor blades, food doesn’t taste the same and even talking can be painful.

In those early stages, reaching for a lozenge that contains antiseptic agents, which can help fight disease-causing bacteria, may be the best option.

“An antiseptic could help to kill off any bacteria that you've got in the throat that might be causing an ongoing infection,” Dr McMullin says.

“If pain is the problem, look for a lozenge with a local anaesthetic to make you more comfortable [by numbing your throat].”

However, Dr McMullin adds, “Unfortunately, when we look at treatments for sore throats and upper respiratory tract infections, [a lozenge] is unlikely to shorten the number of days that you are sick.”

Many cough drops contain menthol, which claims to clear a stuffy nose or help a ticklish throat. But, Dr McMullin says, studies show that menthol actually does nothing for congestion.

“Menthol lozenges give you this sensation of being able to breathe more easily, as it activates the receptors in the nose which give you the sensation of breathing in cold air.”

Likewise, “If your nose is blocked, you’re probably breathing through the mouth more and you're not getting that humidified air coming down the back of the throat,” she adds. “Sucking on a lozenge might help add saliva to the back of the throat, lubricating it and making it a bit more comfortable.”

If nasal congestion is the problem, Dr McMullin says you’re probably better off with over-the-counter decongestants, which may help reduce swelling in your sinuses so you can blow your nose.

Many of the medicated lozenges that contain things like echinacea, vitamin C and zinc claim to help ward off colds. But, Dr McMullin says, there isn’t much evidence that these ingredients provide any real benefit for fighting a cold or flu.

“When it comes to staying well, the first line of defence should always be a diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables,” she says. This includes getting vitamins from things like citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables.

“If you're unable to get that into your diet, then a vitamin C supplement is a great thing to add in.”

There are lots of lozenges on the market with little to no benefit, except maybe a placebo effect.

“Some might taste good, but if they’re not medicated, they’re probably not going to do anything for you,” Dr McMullin says.

She recommends trialling different brands of lozenges to see which ones give you some relief, while being mindful of the sugar content.

“Everyone is different, so if you find something that gives you some relief from your symptoms there’s no harm in using it, as long as you don’t have any other medical conditions that you need to be mindful of,” she says.

While lozenges might give you the relief you need to fight through a cold or flu, there are many tried-and-tested alternatives that may work just as well (if not better).

Gargling an antiviral or antibacterial mouthwash, for instance, can be more effective than a lozenge to help fight germs in the early stages of a cold. It’s even likely that the bottle of mouthwash in your bathroom cabinet has some kind of antiseptic in it, saving you a trip to the chemist.

Some people swear by gargling warm, salty water to relieve the pain and swelling of a sore throat. It’s also believed that gargling salty water 3 to 4 times a day can help ease symptoms caused by postnasal drip.¹

Warm fluids like chicken soup or lemon and honey tea may also help soothe an irritated throat.

Then, of course, there’s good old-fashioned paracetamol, which can help relieve symptoms, and ibuprofen, which can reduce the inflammation from a sore and swollen throat.

At the end of the day, though, there’s nothing like a good night’s sleep to help your body recuperate when you’re feeling unwell.

Whatever remedy you choose, it’s important to always stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.