Cepacol cough drops are an over-the-counter remedy designed to alleviate sore throats and minor mouth irritations.
Known for their effectiveness, these drops contain active ingredients such as benzocaine and menthol, which provide pain relief and a cooling sensation.
Cepacol is available in various flavors, catering to different preferences while helping to soothe throat discomfort and suppress coughs.
This article examines the Cepacol Extra Strength Honey Lemon variant to provide a baseline view of ingredients and usage guidelines for Cepacol cough drop products.
Table of Contents
Medicinal Ingredients
Medicinal ingredients are the substances in a pharmaceutical product that exert a therapeutic effect to treat, prevent, or diagnose diseases and health conditions. These ingredients are specifically intended to have a direct impact on the body’s systems and are responsible for the beneficial effects described on the product’s label.
Cepacol Extra Strength Honey Lemon cough drops have two active medicinal ingredients:
- Benzocaine is utilized as a local anesthetic in various over-the-counter products, including throat lozenges and topical creams. It works by numbing the affected area, providing temporary relief from pain and discomfort. This makes it particularly effective for treating conditions like sore throats, minor cuts, burns, and skin irritations, as it reduces the sensation of pain, allowing for more comfortable healing.
- Menthol serves as both a topical analgesic and a cooling agent in a wide range of medicinal products. It provides a cooling sensation when applied to the skin or mucous membranes, which helps to relieve minor throat irritation and muscle aches. Menthol is commonly found in cough drops, ointments, and lotions, where it helps soothe discomfort by distracting the body with a cooling effect, thereby diminishing the perception of pain.
Each medicinal ingredient is typically tested for efficacy and safety through clinical trials and is approved by health regulatory agencies before the product can be marketed. These ingredients may be isolated from natural sources, synthesized in a laboratory, or produced biotechnologically, depending on the specific substance and its intended use.
Non-Medicinal Ingredients
Non-medicinal ingredients, also known as inactive ingredients or excipients, are substances included in a pharmaceutical product that do not have therapeutic effects to treat, prevent, or diagnose conditions but are essential for various other purposes. These ingredients are used to aid the formulation by improving the taste, stability, absorption, or appearance of the medication
Cepacol Extra Strength Honey Lemon cough drops contain the following non-medicinal ingredients:
- Isomalt is a sugar substitute often used in cough syrups and lozenges due to its minimal impact on blood sugar levels, making it a suitable choice for diabetic patients. As a sugar alcohol, it provides a sweet taste without the same caloric content as regular sugar, helping to enhance the flavor of medicinal products without adding excessive calories.
- Maltitol is another sugar alcohol similar to isomalt, used as a low-calorie sweetener in various medicinal and food products. It offers a sweetness comparable to sugar but with fewer calories and less effect on blood glucose levels, making it an appealing choice for individuals monitoring their sugar intake.
- Propylene glycol is a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water. It is used as a solvent to dissolve substances in medications, such as active ingredients and flavorings. Additionally, it serves as a moisture-preserving agent in products, contributing to a consistent texture and shelf stability.
- Flavour additives, both natural and synthetic, are crucial in masking the often unpleasant tastes of active ingredients in medications. These flavours help improve palatability, encouraging adherence to dosage regimens, especially in pediatric medications where taste can significantly impact compliance.
- Sucralose is a zero-calorie artificial sweetener that does not affect blood sugar levels, making it a common ingredient in sugar-free medicinal syrups. It is chosen for its ability to provide a high intensity of sweetness without the calories associated with traditional sugars.
- D&C Yellow No. 10 and FD&C Yellow No. 6 are synthetic dyes used to color medicinal syrups and other products. These additives are employed to give a consistent, appealing appearance to the products, aiding in brand identity and consumer acceptance. Although they do not contribute any therapeutic effects, their role in enhancing visual appeal can influence consumer preference and trust.
- Sodium bicarbonate is commonly included in medications to regulate pH and maintain stability. In effervescent tablets, it reacts to create a fizzing action, helping to release active ingredients more efficiently. It can also neutralize stomach acid, providing relief from indigestion and heartburn when used in antacid formulations.
How to Use
Follow the dosing instructions on the product label or as advised by a healthcare professional. For adults, a typical cough drop can be taken every two hours as needed. It is crucial not to exceed the daily maximum dosage specified on the label.
Allow the cough drop to dissolve slowly in your mouth without chewing. This ensures that the active ingredients are released gradually, providing effective relief for throat irritation.
Do not use cough drops continuously for longer than the period recommended on the label, typically no more than seven days. If symptoms persist beyond this period or worsen, consult a healthcare provider. Prolonged use without professional advice may mask more serious underlying conditions.
If symptoms do not improve or severe side effects occur, such as persistent sore throat or difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly.
Product Variations
Cepacol offers a broad range of cough drops for specific symptoms and needs:
- Cepacol Extra Strength provides fast & effective temporary relief for painful sore throats with the maximum amount of Benzocaine available per dose, without a prescription.
- Cepacol InstaMax numbs the pain fast with two maximum strength pain relievers that offer fast acting and effective relief from sore throat and blocked nasal passages.
- Cepacol Sensations lozenges contain a unique combination of two anti-bacterial agents to provide fast and effective temporary relief of sore throats. Cepacol Sensations has formulas that provide relief of cough, and formulas that provide relief of nasal congestion.
- Cepacol Children’s provides effective antibacterial relief of sore throat pain for children over 6 years.
Learn about other cough drops in Canada: