Ear, nose and throat
Medicines for Sore throat
A painful, scratchy or inflamed throat that is usually caused by a virus and settles on its own — managed mainly with pain relief and self-care, with antibiotics reserved for the cases most likely to be bacterial or in people who are unwell or at risk.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Sore throat?
A sore throat means pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often feels worse when swallowing. It is very common and most often part of a cold, flu or other viral infection, sometimes affecting the tonsils (tonsillitis).
- How it is treated: The guiding principle is that most sore throats get better on their own, so the mainstay of care is pain relief and self-care while the infection clears.
- Self-care: Resting, drinking plenty of fluids, soothing the throat with warm or cool drinks, sucking lozenges or ice, and gargling with warm salty water can all ease a sore throat while it settles.
- When to seek help: Seek urgent medical help if a sore throat comes with difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing or drooling, a muffled or "hot potato" voice, or severe swelling on one side of the throat — these can signal a serious infection such as quinsy (an abscess) and need prompt assessment.
What it is
A sore throat means pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often feels worse when swallowing. It is very common and most often part of a cold, flu or other viral infection, sometimes affecting the tonsils (tonsillitis). A smaller number of sore throats are caused by bacteria, most often the streptococcus group, and occasionally a sore throat is due to other things such as glandular fever, smoke or dry air, acid reflux or, rarely, a more serious infection. The great majority are self-limiting and clear up within about a week without any specific treatment, which is why the main focus is on easing the discomfort and recognising the few people who need closer attention. Clinicians sometimes use simple scoring tools, such as FeverPAIN or Centor, to judge how likely a sore throat is to be bacterial and whether an antibiotic might help.
How it is treated
The guiding principle is that most sore throats get better on their own, so the mainstay of care is pain relief and self-care while the infection clears. Simple painkillers such as paracetamol, or an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen for those who can take it, ease the pain and any fever, and soothing measures help too. Antibiotics are not routinely needed because they make little difference to a viral sore throat and carry their own downsides; they are considered only when a bacterial cause is more likely — judged using a scoring tool or clinical assessment — or when the person is particularly unwell or at higher risk. When an antibiotic is appropriate, a penicillin such as phenoxymethylpenicillin is the usual first choice, with a macrolide used for those allergic to penicillin. Amoxicillin is generally avoided where glandular fever is possible, because it can trigger a widespread rash. Throughout, the plan is to keep the person comfortable, watch for warning signs and review rather than reaching for antibiotics first.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Sore throat
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Sore throat
Sore throat can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Resting, drinking plenty of fluids, soothing the throat with warm or cool drinks, sucking lozenges or ice, and gargling with warm salty water can all ease a sore throat while it settles.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Seek urgent medical help if a sore throat comes with difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing or drooling, a muffled or "hot potato" voice, or severe swelling on one side of the throat — these can signal a serious infection such as quinsy (an abscess) and need prompt assessment. Get advice sooner if the pain is severe or not settling after about a week, if you feel very unwell or have a high temperature that will not come down, if symptoms keep coming back, or if you have a weakened immune system or another condition that puts you at higher risk. A sore throat with a widespread rash, or one in someone known to have a low white-cell count, also needs prompt review.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Sore throat: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for sore throat?
For most sore throats the main medicines are simple pain relievers — paracetamol, or an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen for those who can take it — to ease pain and any fever while the infection clears on its own. Antibiotics are not routinely needed, because most sore throats are viral and antibiotics make little difference; they are kept for cases judged likely to be bacterial or where someone is unwell or at risk. When an antibiotic is appropriate, a penicillin is the usual choice, with a macrolide used for people allergic to penicillin.
Do I need antibiotics for a sore throat?
Usually not. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, which antibiotics cannot treat, and they tend to settle within about a week with pain relief and self-care. Antibiotics are considered only when a bacterial cause looks more likely — clinicians sometimes use a simple scoring tool such as FeverPAIN or Centor to help judge this — or when someone is particularly unwell or at higher risk. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed brings side effects and adds to antibiotic resistance, so they are not given routinely.
How can I soothe a sore throat at home?
Rest, drink plenty of fluids, and use simple pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if suitable for you. Soothing measures help too — warm or cool drinks, sucking on lozenges or ice, and gargling with warm salty water. A pharmacist can recommend suitable lozenges, sprays or pain relief and advise whether you need to see anyone. Most sore throats improve within a few days to a week with these measures alone.
When should I worry about a sore throat?
Seek urgent help if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, are drooling, have a muffled voice, or have severe swelling on one side of the throat, as these can point to a serious infection. Also get advice if the pain is severe or not improving after about a week, if you feel very unwell, if a sore throat keeps coming back, or if you have a condition or treatment that weakens your immune system. If a rash appears, mention it, especially if you have recently taken an antibiotic.
Keep reading
Related articles
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE NG84: Sore throat (acute) — antimicrobial prescribing.
- NICE CKS: Sore throat.
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