Strepsils Plus lozenges – antiseptic and lidocaine lozenges for sore throat and mouth infections

Strepsils Plus are lozenges (dissolved slowly in the mouth) containing three active substances: two mild antiseptics – 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol (1.2 mg) and amylmetacresol (0.6 mg) – and the local anaesthetic lidocaine hydrochloride (10 mg). They belong to the group of throat preparations (antiseptics, ATC R02AA).

The medicine relieves the symptoms of mouth and throat infections, including the pain of a sore throat, in adults and children over 12 years. Unlike regular Strepsils, the Plus version contains lidocaine, which briefly numbs the mucosa and reduces pain on swallowing. In Serbia it is available without a prescription and should not be used for more than 3 days without medical advice.

What are Strepsils Plus lozenges used for and how should they be taken correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What are Strepsils Plus lozenges used for?

According to the official leaflet, Strepsils Plus is intended for:

• relief of the symptoms of mouth and throat infections,
• relief of pain in a sore (inflamed) throat.

The antiseptics (2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol) act locally on micro-organisms in the mouth and throat, while lidocaine is a local anaesthetic that reduces the sensation of pain. The medicine is intended for adults and children over 12 years.

How is it used and dosed?

Let the lozenge dissolve slowly in the mouth – do not chew or swallow it whole. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time needed to control symptoms.

• Do not eat or drink immediately after a lozenge – this removes the medicine from the site of action faster and may reduce its effect.
• Do not exceed the stated dose.
• Use for no longer than 3 days; if symptoms persist after 3 days, see a doctor.

Special patient groups

• Children under 12: the medicine must not be used.
• Children aged 12 and over and adolescents: same dose as adults.
• Elderly: no dose reduction is needed.
• Diabetes: each lozenge contains 0.98 g glucose and 1.52 g sucrose, which should be taken into account.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

Strepsils Plus must not be used:

• if you are allergic to 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, amylmetacresol, lidocaine or any excipient,
• if you have previously been allergic to amide-type local anaesthetics,
• if you have or are suspected to have methaemoglobinaemia (a rare blood disorder),
• if you have asthma or bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways),
• in children under 12 years,
• if you are allergic to wheat (a condition different from coeliac disease).

Precautions and warnings

• See a doctor if symptoms of a mouth or throat infection last longer than 3 days, or if fever or headache develop.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose – larger amounts of lidocaine can cause serious systemic effects.
• The medicine contains sulphites (sulphur dioxide, E220, from liquid glucose), which may rarely cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and bronchospasm.
• The flavourings contain anisyl alcohol, d-limonene and linalool, which may cause allergic reactions.
• It contains a very small amount of gluten (at most 19.6 micrograms per lozenge); it is regarded as gluten-free and is unlikely to cause problems in coeliac disease.
• It contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) sodium per dose, i.e. it is essentially sodium-free.

Interactions with other medicines, alcohol and food

Because the medicine acts locally, clinically significant interactions are unlikely. However, side effects of orally absorbed lidocaine may increase with:

• erythromycin,
• itraconazole,
• cimetidine,
• fluvoxamine,
• beta blockers,
• other medicines for arrhythmias (e.g. mexiletine).

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines you use, including non-prescription ones. Do not combine with other lozenges or sprays containing a local anaesthetic without a pharmacist’s advice.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Use of Strepsils Plus lozenges is not recommended during pregnancy unless under medical supervision.

Lidocaine and its metabolites pass into breast milk; for the antiseptics this is unknown. As a precaution, use while breastfeeding should be avoided unless under medical supervision. No effect on fertility is known.

Driving and using machines

Strepsils Plus has no or no known influence on the ability to drive or use machines.

Possible side effects

The frequency of the following side effects is not known (cannot be estimated from available data):

• methaemoglobinaemia (a blood disorder),
• hypersensitivity (allergic reactions),
• stomach pain, nausea, discomfort in the mouth,
• rash.

If you notice signs of hypersensitivity – rash, stomach pain, nausea, oral discomfort, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, neck, tongue or throat – stop taking the medicine and contact a doctor or pharmacist. Suspected side effects can also be reported to ALIMS.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: a larger dose may cause marked numbness (anaesthesia) of the upper digestive tract. Toxic lidocaine overdose may lead to a severe drop in blood pressure, slow heartbeat or cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, seizures and coma – contact a doctor or emergency service immediately.
• Missed dose: do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
• Stopping: the medicine is used as needed and can be stopped when symptoms resolve; do not use it for more than 3 days without medical advice.

Composition, packaging and manufacturer

• Active substances: 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol 1.2 mg, amylmetacresol 0.6 mg and lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate 10 mg per lozenge.
• Excipients: tartaric acid; saccharin sodium; levomenthol; peppermint oil (contains d-limonene); star anise oil (contains anisyl alcohol, d-limonene and linalool); colourings Quinoline yellow (E104) and Indigo carmine (E132); liquid sucrose; liquid glucose (contains sulphur dioxide E220 and wheat starch).
• Pack: carton with 2 PVC/PVdC//Al blisters of 12 lozenges (24 in total) and a package leaflet.
• Marketing authorisation holder: NELT CO DOO Belgrade, Maršala Tita 226 B, Dobanovci, Surčin, Serbia.
• Manufacturer: Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare International Limited, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
• Authorisation number: 515-01-02917-21-001 of 20 July 2022.

Storage

• Store below 25 °C.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date; return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

How is Strepsils Plus different from regular Strepsils?

In addition to two antiseptics (2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol), Strepsils Plus contains 10 mg lidocaine – a local anaesthetic that numbs the mucosa and reduces pain on swallowing. Because of lidocaine it has stricter limits: it must not be used in asthma, methaemoglobinaemia or allergy to amide anaesthetics.

How many Strepsils Plus lozenges can I take per day?

Adults and children aged 12 and over dissolve one lozenge every 2–3 hours as needed, but no more than 8 lozenges in 24 hours. Without medical advice, use it for no longer than 3 days.

Can children use Strepsils Plus?

Only children aged 12 and over, at the same dose as adults. The medicine must not be used in children under 12.

Can I use Strepsils Plus if I have diabetes or coeliac disease?

Each lozenge contains 0.98 g glucose and 1.52 g sucrose, which people with diabetes should take into account. The gluten content is very low (up to 19.6 µg), so it is regarded as gluten-free, but people with a wheat allergy must not use it.

Can I eat and drink straight after a lozenge?

This is not recommended. Food and drink immediately after use remove the medicine from the throat more quickly, so it may work less well. Wait for a while after the lozenge has dissolved.

Related information

For additional care and support with sore and inflamed throat, see also the Throat problems category – products in this category do not replace the medicine you have been prescribed.

Sources

• ALIMS – Package leaflet Strepsils® Plus, 1.2 mg/0.6 mg/10 mg, lozenges (July 2022, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics Strepsils® Plus, lozenges (Serbian)

Sources checked on: 23 October 2026.