Home Pharmacy (cont.)

Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

View Full Profile

Sore Throat, Headache, Earache, and Body Aches

Many sore throats are caused by viruses but others may be due to a strep or other bacterial infections. It is reasonable to treat the symptoms of a sore throat for a few days but if symptoms don't resolve, a strep screen or throat swab may be necessary to determine if antibiotics are needed.
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are helpful in treating the pain associated with cold and influenza.
Benzocaine (Cepacol) is the active ingredient in cough drops and sprays that helps to control the symptoms of a sore throat. It is also available as an eardrop antipyrine (A/B Octic, Aurodex, Rx-Octic), benzocaine (Oticaine); as a dehydrated glycerin (Auralgan) for temporary relief of ear pain; and as a pain reliever for oral ulcers toothache pain (Anbesol).