Should you Take Antibiotics for a Sore Throat?

Did you know 60% of South Africans mistakenly believe antibiotics can cure a sore throat?¹ While it’s true antibiotics can fight bacterial infections, not all sore throats are caused by bacteria. Cepacol®, known for its sore throat lozenges², hot medication^3&4, and now new raspberry-flavoured effervescent⁵, explores when antibiotics are beneficial and when they might do more harm than good.

What’s Causing Your Sore Throat

When our throats feel scratchy many of us instinctively think, "Time for antibiotics!" But hold your horses (and your pills) because the solution isn't always that simple. Sore throats are commonly caused by viruses, the same trouble-makers responsible for colds and the flu.^6a In these cases, antibiotics won’t help because they target bacteria, not viruses,^6b and often will get better on their own within one week.^6c If, however, your sore throat is caused by a bacteria, such as strep throat,^6d antibiotics can effectively combat the bacteria responsible.^6e

Spotting the Difference

How do you know if your sore throat is due to a virus or bacteria?

Viral sore throats often come the following symptoms:^7a

• Runny nose
• Cough (you do not cough with strep)^7b 
• Red or watery eyes
• Sneezing

Strep throat, however, tends to present more severe symptoms, such as:⁸

• Pain when swallowing
• Fever
• Swollen glands in the neck
• Red spots (petechiae) on the roof of the mouth
• Red rash on the body 
• Headache
• Swollen tonsils
• Red or white streaks in throat or on tonsils
• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea or vomiting

If these symptoms sound familiar, it's time to consult a healthcare professional who can perform a quick test to determine what’s causing your sore throat.

Beat The Scratch With Cepacol® New Raspberry-Flavoured Effervescent⁵ 

How can you find relief from a sore throat? Cepacol®’s wide range of formats and products are tailored for targeted relief, including the newly launched Cepacol® Effervescent - a fizzyraspberry-flavoured effervescent that possibly provides relief for the family (6+). 

Cepacol® Effervescent⁵ helps to relieve symptoms of cold and flu such as sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing and cough, opening of the airways, thinning of mucus and providing relief of coughs associated with inflammation of the airways. It also supports the immune function within the upper respiratory tract and provides antioxidant support for the maintenance of good health.

In addition to Cepacol®s newly launched raspberry-flavoured effervescent⁵, theCepacol®range includes cough and cold syrup⁹, Plus cough and cold syrup¹⁰specifically designed for nighttime relief, a throat spray¹¹ andthroat gargle¹², Medsip, a hot medicated drink^3&4 in either ginger or honey lemon flavours, and throat lozenges² in four flavours - regular, black current, honey & lemon and menthol. 

So, when you're dealing with a sore throat, remember, there's a Cepacol® for that!

Embrace the Winter Warrior within, with Cepacol®

As we brace ourselves for the winter months, it's wise to be prepared. Adcock Ingram's Winter Warriors 2025 Campaign offers a range of products aimed at combating common cold and flu symptoms. With brands like Cepacol®, Panado®, Compral®, ProbiFlora™, Gummy® Vites and ViralGuard™, you can arm yourself and your loved ones against the seasonal sniffles.

Cepacol®’s range of products is now available at leading pharmacies and retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.cepacol.co.za and join the conversation on Facebook.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

References:

1. Pharma Dynamics. 60% OF SOUTH AFRICANS MISTAKENLY BELIEVE ANTIBIOTICS CAN CURE A SORE THROAT. Available from: https://www.mydynamics.co.za/60-of-south-africans-mistakenly-believe-antibiotics-can-cure-a-sore-throat/. Last accessed February 2025.
2. CEPACOL® Throat Lozenges approved professional information, October 2014.
3. CEPACOL® Medsip Honey Lemon (Powder) approved package insert, March 1993.
4. CEPACOL® Medsip Ginger Approved Professional Information, June 2015.
5. CEPACOL® Effervescent approved professional information, August 2024. 
6. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Sore Throat Basics. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/sore-throat/about/index.html. Last accessed February 2025.
7. Cleveland Clinic. Do You Have Just a Sore Throat or Is It Strep? Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/strep-throat-sore-throat-best-ways-can-tell. 
8. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Strep Throat. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/strep-throat. Last accessed February 2025. Last accessed February 2025.
9. CEPACOL® Cough and Cold Syrup approved professional information, February 2022. 
10. CEPACOL® Plus Cough and Cold Syrup approved professional information, February 2022. 
11. CEPACOL® Throat Spray approved professional information, February 2022.
12. CEPACOL® Antibacterial Throat Gargle (solution) approved professional information, August 2005

24.02.2025.1000001362. February 2025.

S0 Cepacol® Throat Spray. Each 1 ml contains Pelargonium sidoides (African Geranium) 140 mg; Hedera helix (Ivy) 40 mg; Menthol crystals 0,09 mg; Eucalyptus globules (Eucalyptus oil 2) 0,45 mg; Syzygium aromaticum (Clove oil) 0,3 mg. Category D: Complementary Medicine Discipline Specific: 33.7 Combination Medicine. (PI 02/2022).
S0 Cepacol® Plus Cough and Cold Syrup. Each 5 ml contains Hedera helix (Ivy) 5 mg; Pelargonium sidoides (African Geranium) 150 mg; Valerianae officinalis L. (Valerian) 12mg. CategoryD: Complementary Medicine Discipline Specific: D33.6 Western Herbal Medicine. (PI02/2022).
S0 Cepacol® Cough and Cold Syrup. Each 5 ml contains Hedera helix (Ivy) 5 mg; Pelargonium sidoides DC (African Geranium) 150 mg. Category D: Complementary Medicine Discipline Specific: D33.6 Western Herbal Medicine. (PI 02/2022).
S0 Cepacol® Effervescent. Each tablet contains Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 500 mg, Zinc citrate 3-hydrate 39,2 mg providing 12,4 mg elemental zinc, Hedera helix 35 mg, Pelargonium sidoides 12,5 mg, Vitamin A acetate (Vitamin A) 379 µg RAE, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 250 IU, Category D: Complementary Medicine. Discipline Specific: D33.7 Combination Product.
This unregistered medicine has not been evaluated by the SAHPRA for its quality, safety or intended use. Adcock Ingram Limited. Co. Reg. No. 1949/034385/06. Private Bag X69, Bryanston, 2021, South Africa. Customer Care: 0860 ADCOCK/232625. www.adcock.com.