Do Strepsils Heal Your Throat? A Look at the Science of Sore Throat Relief

October 8, 2025 •

3 min read

Most sore throats are caused by viral infections like the common cold or flu and typically resolve on their own in about a week. This raises the question: do Strepsils heal your throat, or simply make the wait more comfortable?

Quick Summary

Strepsils provide symptomatic relief for sore throats by using antiseptic and anesthetic ingredients to soothe pain and fight some germs, but they do not cure the underlying cause of the infection.

Key Points

Symptom Management, Not a Cure: Strepsils manage sore throat symptoms like pain but do not heal the underlying viral or bacterial cause.
Antiseptic Action: The primary ingredients, Amylmetacresol and Dichlorobenzyl alcohol, are mild antiseptics that help kill some bacteria and viruses associated with throat infections.
Variety of Formulations: Different Strepsils products contain ingredients like anesthetics (Lidocaine) or anti-inflammatories (Flurbiprofen) for targeted relief of pain or swelling.
Stimulates Saliva: The act of sucking any lozenge increases saliva production, which naturally lubricates and soothes an irritated throat.
Viral vs. Bacterial: Most sore throats are viral and resolve on their own; Strepsils help during this time. Bacterial infections like strep throat require antibiotics.
Clinically Proven Relief: Studies show that medicated lozenges like Strepsils provide significantly more pain relief than non-medicated lozenges.
Consult a Doctor: If a sore throat is severe, persists for more than a week, or is accompanied by fever, medical advice is necessary.

Understanding a Sore Throat

A sore throat, medically known as pharyngitis, is characterized by pain, scratchiness, or irritation of the throat that often worsens when swallowing. The most common culprits are viral infections, such as the common cold or influenza. Bacterial infections, like Group A Streptococcus (strep throat), are less common but require antibiotic treatment. Other causes can include allergies, dry air, irritants like smoke, muscle strain from yelling, and even acid reflux. Since the majority of sore throats are viral, antibiotics are ineffective. The body's immune system typically clears the virus within five to seven days, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms like pain and discomfort.

How Do Strepsils Work?

Strepsils are medicated lozenges designed to relieve the discomfort of mouth and throat infections. They are not just throat sweets; they contain active ingredients that provide clinically proven relief. Sucking on a lozenge serves two purposes: it stimulates saliva production, which lubricates and soothes the throat, and it releases the medication directly to the affected area.

Key Active Ingredients

The classic Strepsils formula contains two main active ingredients:

Amylmetacresol (AMC): A mild antiseptic with antibacterial and antiviral properties. It works by disrupting bacterial and viral structures.
2,4-Dichlorobenzyl alcohol (DCBA): Another antiseptic that works synergistically with AMC to kill bacteria and viruses associated with throat infections.

Clinical studies have shown that this combination of AMC/DCBA provides a significant reduction in throat soreness, with relief starting within 5 minutes and lasting for up to 2 hours. It has also been shown to be superior to non-medicated lozenges in reducing pain and difficulty swallowing over a three-day period.

Some Strepsils variations include other active ingredients for more targeted relief:

Hexylresorcinol (Strepsils Extra): This ingredient has both antiseptic and local anesthetic properties to numb throat pain. Studies show it provides rapid bactericidal activity against organisms that cause sore throats.
Flurbiprofen (Strepfen): A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces inflammation and swelling, providing significant pain relief. Clinical trials support its effectiveness in reducing sore throat pain, difficulty swallowing, and the sensation of a swollen throat, even in cases of confirmed strep throat.
Lidocaine (Strepsils Plus): A local anesthetic that numbs the throat for fast-acting pain relief.

The Verdict: Symptom Relief, Not a Cure

While the active ingredients in Strepsils have proven antiseptic and, in some cases, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effects, it is crucial to understand their role. Strepsils and other medicated lozenges primarily manage the symptoms of a sore throat—the pain, irritation, and difficulty swallowing. They make the experience less uncomfortable while your body fights off the underlying infection.

They do not "heal" or "cure" the throat in the sense of eliminating the root cause, especially in the case of viral infections. For a bacterial infection like strep throat, only antibiotics prescribed by a doctor can provide a definitive cure and prevent serious complications. Relying solely on lozenges for a severe bacterial infection can be dangerous.

Comparison of Sore Throat Remedies


Remedy Type	Primary Action	Examples	Best For
Antiseptic Lozenges	Kill some germs, soothe	Strepsils Original, Betadine Lozenges	Mild, general sore throat discomfort.
Anesthetic Lozenges	Numb pain	Strepsils Plus (Lidocaine), Cepacol (Benzocaine)	Moderate to severe throat pain requiring numbing.
Anti-Inflammatory Lozenges	Reduce swelling and pain	Strepfen (Flurbiprofen), Difflam	Painful, inflamed, and swollen throats.
Home Remedies	Soothe and hydrate	Saltwater gargle, honey, warm tea, humidifier	General soothing and supportive care for any sore throat.
Systemic Pain Relievers	Reduce overall pain/fever	Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen	General pain and fever accompanying a sore throat.
Antibiotics	Kill bacteria	Penicillin, Amoxicillin	Doctor-diagnosed bacterial infections like strep throat.

Conclusion

So, do Strepsils heal your throat? The answer is no. They do not treat the underlying viral or bacterial infection that causes the soreness. However, they are a clinically effective tool for managing the symptoms. By providing antiseptic, anesthetic, and anti-inflammatory action directly to the throat, Strepsils offer significant, rapid, and lasting relief from pain and discomfort, making the healing process more bearable. For most common sore throats, this symptomatic relief is all that's needed while your immune system does the real work of healing. However, if your sore throat is severe, lasts more than a few days, or is accompanied by a high fever, it is essential to see a doctor to rule out a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics.

For more information on the causes and treatments of sore throat, you can visit the Mayo Clinic's page on the topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clinical studies show that Strepsils lozenges containing Amylmetacresol and DCBA can start to relieve throat soreness in as little as 5 minutes, with effects lasting up to 2 hours.

You can use Strepsils to soothe the symptoms of strep throat, but they will not cure the bacterial infection. You must see a doctor for antibiotics to treat strep throat and prevent complications.

Strepsils typically contain antiseptic ingredients (Amylmetacresol and DCBA). Strepfen contains Flurbiprofen, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) designed to target throat inflammation and swelling more intensely.

Some Strepsils products are suitable for children over 6 years old, but you should always check the package directions. Lozenges can be a choking hazard for young children.

It is generally recommended to dissolve one lozenge slowly in the mouth as needed. You should always follow the specific instructions on the product packaging regarding frequency of use and the maximum number of lozenges that can be taken within a 24-hour period.

Yes, clinical trials have demonstrated that the active ingredients in Strepsils provide significantly more relief from pain and difficulty swallowing compared to non-medicated (placebo) lozenges.

The most common causes are viral infections like the cold and flu. Other causes include bacterial infections (like strep throat), allergies, dry air, and irritants like smoke.