Administering Throat Lozenges, Discs, and Sprays

Learn how to best soothe that sore throat with tips on taking throat lozenges, discs, and sprays.

Throat Lozenges and Discs

Both lozenges and discs contain medication that is released in the mouth to soothe a sore throat, to reduce coughing, or to treat laryngitis. Neither should be chewed; they should be allowed to dissolve in the mouth. After the lozenge or disc has dissolved, try not to swallow or drink any fluids for a while.

Throat Sprays

To administer a throat spray, open your mouth fully and spray the medication as far back as possible. Hold the liquid in your mouth for as long as you can, trying not to swallow, and do not drink any fluids for several minutes. Swallowing a throat spray is not harmful, but if you find that your throat spray upsets your stomach, don't swallow it; simply spit it out.

Other medications need to be applied directly to the skin in the form of ointments or creams. Learn how to prep your skin and apply topical medications, with minimal mess, in the next section.