Amylmetacresol/2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, hexylresorcinol, or carrageenan lozenges as active treatments for sore throat

Morokutti-Kurz, Martina; Graf, Christine; Prieschl-Grassauer, Eva

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are among the most common diseases to affect humans with typical symptoms, such as rhinitis, cough, fever, and sore throat. 1 Most of these infections are caused by viruses. Bacterial RTIs are less common and often develop after a viral infection. In children <5 years, 95% of the sore throat cases are caused by viruses; 85%-95% in adults. Only in the group of 5-to 15-year-old children, this percentage is reduced to 70%. 2 Viruses associated with RTIs are picornaviruses (human rhinoviruses [HRV] ), coronaviruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and human coronavirus [hCoV] OC43), ortho-and paramyxoviruses (influenza virus, parainfluenza virus (PIV), and respiratory syncytial virus), and adeno-and herpesviruses. 3 RTIs are transmitted from person to person by respiratory droplets or indirectly via contaminated surfaces. 4 A reduction of the viral load on the site of infection reduces the risk of transmission via both routes while simultaneously reducing the symptoms of the patients and a potential spread of infection to the lower respiratory tract. Locally acting lozenges or sprays reach the site of infection directly, hereby minimizing potential side effects due to limited systemic uptake while maximizing efficacy.