Cepacol Throat Lozenges: Strength and Daily Dosage
For benzocaine-containing throat lozenges like Cepacol, adults and children 2 years and older should use up to 4 lozenges per day, with each lozenge typically containing 8 mg of benzocaine. 1
Dosing Guidelines
Standard Dosing
- Maximum frequency: Up to 4 times daily 1
- Typical strength: 8 mg benzocaine per lozenge 2
- Do not exceed the recommended dosage 1
Age-Specific Recommendations
- Adults and children ≥2 years: Use up to 4 lozenges daily or as directed by a dentist or doctor 1
- Children <12 years: Should be supervised during use 1
- Children <2 years: Do not use 1
Clinical Context and Efficacy
While benzocaine lozenges are commonly used for sore throat, ibuprofen or paracetamol are recommended as first-line treatments for acute sore throat symptoms based on strong evidence. 3, 4 These systemic analgesics provide superior pain relief compared to topical agents alone.
Evidence for Benzocaine Lozenges
- Benzocaine 8 mg lozenges demonstrated superiority over placebo in reducing throat pain, with median time to worthwhile pain relief of 20 minutes 2
- The analgesic effect is achieved through local anesthetic action by blocking voltage-gated neuronal sodium channels 5
- Benzocaine lozenges are well-tolerated with no serious adverse events reported in clinical trials 2
Important Safety Considerations
- Never exceed 4 lozenges in 24 hours to avoid potential toxicity from excessive benzocaine absorption 1
- Benzocaine lozenges provide symptomatic relief only and do not treat underlying bacterial infections 4
- For severe presentations (Centor score 3-4), systemic analgesics like ibuprofen remain the preferred first-line treatment 4
- Local antibiotics or antiseptics are not recommended as primary treatment due to mainly viral etiology of most sore throats 4
Optimal Treatment Strategy
Combine benzocaine lozenges with systemic analgesics (ibuprofen or paracetamol) for maximum symptom relief, rather than relying on lozenges alone. 3, 4 The topical anesthetic provides rapid onset of action (within 5-20 minutes) 2, while systemic agents address inflammation more comprehensively.