Many people use cough drops to sooth their sore throat or help with an annoying cough. Cough drops are usually available in the form of sweets, which can be taken orally and generally have a pleasant taste as well.
What Are Cough Drops?
Cough drops are small sweets that are supposed to be taken by mouth and dissolved slowly, in order to help sooth a sore throat due to the common cold or influenza. These sweets are medicated and also help relieve cough. The medicines present in these sweets help soothe and lubricate the irritated throat tissues. Many people refer to cough drops as throat lozenges, due to their shape. Care should be taken before giving these drops to children, as not all cough drops are suitable for children. Since cough drops have a pleasant taste, many children mistake them for sweets, so they should be kept out of reach of children at all times.
What Do Cough Drops Contain?
Most companies that manufacture cough drops make them in the form of sweets. They may be made with sugar, but sugar free varieties are also available. Cough drops are also available in a variety of flavors. They can contain the following active ingredients individually and even in combinations:
- Benzocaine: which is a topical anesthetic normally found in over the counter products such as mouth ulcer medicine.
- Eucalyptus oil: this is an extract of the eucalyptus plant.
- Dextromethrophan: this is a potent cough reliever.
- Zinc gluconate glycine
- Pectin
- Menthol
- Spear mint
- Peppermint oil
- Honey
- Honey lemon
Advantages of Cough Drops:
Cough drops are very effective in relieving sore throat irritation and help relieve the symptoms of flu and the common cold. Most people develop a sore throat due to continuous coughing in these conditions and cough drops are usually potent enough to help alleviate these symptoms. Some products also contain vitamin C as well that also helps in relieving the symptoms of a cold. Care should be taken as not all cough drops are suitable for children and the packaging of the product should be carefully read before giving children cough drops.
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