Does Ibuprofen Help With Sore Throat? Yes but Patients Are Likely To Comeback With Worsening Symptoms

Patients are usually prescribed to take ibuprofen when they have sore throats. However, while this drug works, it can also worsen symptoms.

Does Ibuprofen Help With Sore Throat?

Several wondered if ibuprofen for sore throat works. Others ask, does ibuprofen help sore throat?

A previous study by the University of Southampton found that ibuprofen, paracetamol, or a combination of both don't give patients any advantage if they have respiratory tract infections like sore throat. Even the standard treatment method of steam inhalation reportedly doesn't offer clear benefits. Instead, at least two percent got mild scalding from doing so.

For respiratory tract infections, the most popular treatments are ibuprofen, paracetamol, or a mix of the two, according to Professor Paul Little, the study's lead author. However, he added that it is unlikely that clinicians should routinely encourage patients to utilize steam inhalation because it does not alleviate the symptoms of acute respiratory infections and may cause minor thermal harm in some cases. It is also unlikely to be helpful to consistently recommend ibuprofen or ibuprofen and paracetamol together rather than simply paracetamol. Nonetheless, their study indicated that ibuprofen may benefit kids and people with chest infections.

The study found that if patients were prescribed ibuprofen or ibuprofen with paracetamol, they were more likely to return after a month with new or worsened symptoms. Of the trial participants, between 50 and 70 percent more returned if they were prescribed ibuprofen or ibuprofen along with paracetamol.

Why Ibuprofen Could Worsen Sore Throat Symptoms

Little admitted that they were surprised how ibuprofen could worsen symptoms. They were not expecting the results, but he shared the possible reason behind it.

The expert said it may be related to ibuprofen's anti-inflammatory properties. The medication probably interferes with a crucial immune response component, which causes some people to experience longer-lasting or worsening symptoms.

Per Little, he would advise against prescribing ibuprofen to most patients for treating cough, cold, and sore throat symptoms, even if they had to be cautious with the unexpected findings.

Best Treatment For Sore Throat

Treatments for sore throats may include antibacterials, anesthetics, painkillers, natural compounds that soothe the throat, immune system boosters, or a combination.

Since honey has inherent antibacterial properties and can remove moisture from irritated tissue to lessen swelling and discomfort, it is a very effective therapy for sore throats.

In addition to being naturally antiviral and antibacterial, a saltwater gargle-half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water, gargled for 20 seconds, three times a day is also effective for releasing fluid buildup in the tissue.

Additionally, marshmallow and licorice roots are anti-inflammatory and create a barrier to the throat's tissues. A sore throat can also be relieved using honeysuckle, echinacea, and zinc as natural medicines. Also, when the slippery elm tree comes into touch with water, its inner bark swells and generates a gooey material that relieves sore throats.

Acetaminophen (Actamin, Tylenol) may also help. However, they are only pain relievers and have no anti-inflammatory properties.

Lozenges for sore throats are made of various components that work immediately to relieve the soreness in your throat while encouraging saliva production to keep your throat wet. Some sprays and gargles target the back of the throat specifically.

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