Hundreds of thousands of people in Germany struggle with a sore throat in winter. Lozenges, lozenges, etc. promise relief. But Stiftung Warentest is not convinced by the sore throat medications.
When they have a sore throat, many people turn to lozenges, throat lozenges, mouth sprays and juices that promise relief. Stiftung Warentest wanted to know: What can the over-the-counter products do?
The testers took a close look at 24 frequently purchased products (“test” issue 12/2024). This means: You have looked at studies that provide information about the effects, benefits and risks of cold remedies.
The conclusion is sobering. Only 5 of the 24 products are suitable for treating throat problems – and only to a limited extent. “The rest is not worth the money,” write the product testers. Drug-free sweets from the supermarket and other home remedies often do a good job. And cheaper and without side effects.
Unsuitable active ingredients and side effects
Basically, if cold viruses have infected the throat mucous membranes, there is no remedy that can magic away the inflammation. It heals on its own within two to seven days.
During this time, annoying symptoms such as pain and hoarseness can be alleviated. This is also what you can expect from the products that Stiftung Warentest looked at. Simply because sucking a tablet produces saliva, which moistens the mouth and throat.
The active ingredients, on the other hand, can often do less than many people hope. “Some of the remedies in our test have not been proven to help against sore throats any better than dummy medications,” explains test leader Dr. Claudia Michael. And: “Some sore throat medications can have side effects, for example damaging the oral mucosa and triggering allergic reactions,” says the expert.
When it comes to the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory benzydamine, for example, “test” states: It has not been proven that the active ingredient has any more effect on sore throats than a placebo. In addition, the active ingredient can trigger allergies. Rating: “not very suitable”.
Speaking of side effects: The active ingredient flurbiprofen can lead to ulcers in the oral mucosa. And according to tests, antiseptic active ingredients not only kill unwanted bacteria, but also useful ones. They are also not very effective against viruses that usually cause sore throats. That’s why Stiftung Warentest finds products with locally acting antibiotics to be of little use. Its benefit for very rare bacterial infections has not been proven.
By the way: With preparations that combine several active ingredients, you also risk more side effects if in doubt. According to Stiftung Warentest, they are not more effective.
Five products are suitable with restrictions
The product testers rated at least five of the 24 products as “suitable with restrictions”. Although they do not alleviate the symptoms any better than other remedies in the test, they do not cause any serious side effects.
These are the “Cherry-Menthol throat lozenges” from Gelorevoice, the “Hydro Med lozenges” from Ipalat, the “Junior pastilles”, the “Med akut citrus-honey pastilles” and the “Moss pastilles” (all three from Isla ). According to the product testers, the following applies to all of these: “The therapeutic effectiveness should be better proven.”
What these five products have in common is that they are medical devices, not medicines. This means that they do not work pharmacologically, i.e. they do not make use of drugs that work at the cellular level. Instead, their effect is physical.
What you can imagine by this can be explained using the example of Icelandic moss. This is a lichen that consists largely of mucilage. These substances lie on the mucous membranes like a gel and also ensure that more saliva is produced. Both are said to have a soothing effect. According to the product testers, further studies are needed to clearly prove this effect.
You can relieve a sore throat with home remedies
The most expensive products in the test cost more than 15 euros. A sore throat can also be relieved cheaper and just as well with home remedies. For example with sour candies, according to “test”. The more acidic they are, the more saliva is formed, which moistens the mucous membranes better.
It is also beneficial to drink a lot, which can also be a tea with sage, thyme and lime blossom if you have a sore throat. Gargling with salt water can also help to remove virus-ridden plaque from the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
Read more on Techzle\.com:
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- Make your own cough syrup from onion and honey
- 8 common cold mistakes you should avoid
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