Yes, paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a recommended over-the-counter pain reliever that helps reduce the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, often alongside fever or headache, though it doesn't treat the underlying infection but makes symptoms more manageable, allowing for easier eating and drinking. It's a primary choice for pain relief in both adults and children, but always follow dosage instructions and be aware that many cold/flu remedies contain it, so avoid overdosing.
Background: Paracetamol is recommended as first-line treatment for an acute sore throat. However, in primary care, antibiotics are still frequently prescribed as first-line management for sore throat.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen, these pain killers are great at reducing sore throat pain and also reducing a fever. To keep sore throat symptoms at a minimum it's best to take a dose at regular intervals as directed by your pharmacist or on the medication packet.
Self care
For a pregnancy-safe sore throat, focus on hydration, rest, and home remedies like gargling with warm salt water, sipping honey and lemon tea, and using lozenges with local anesthetics (like benzocaine) or antiseptics (like menthol). Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) are generally safe, but always consult your doctor before taking any medication, avoiding NSAIDs like ibuprofen and decongestants in the first trimester.
How to sleep with sore throats
Strepsils are not generally thought to be harmful to take when you're pregnant but, as there have been no specific, large-scale studies into the safety of Strepsils in pregnancy, you may prefer to treat a sore throat by gargling with salty water, sucking an ice cube or drinking hot lemon and honey.
To quickly soothe a sore throat, drink warm liquids like honey lemon tea, chamomile, or broth, which coat and calm irritation, or try cold drinks/popsicles to numb the pain and reduce inflammation, with warm saltwater gargles (for adults/older kids) also offering fast relief by breaking down secretions and killing bacteria.
Stage 1 of a sore throat, often the start of a cold or flu, involves early symptoms like a tickle, scratchiness, or mild pain in the throat, possibly with sneezing, usually appearing 1-3 days after infection, and can be managed with rest, fluids, saltwater gargles, and OTC pain relievers, but see a doctor if it's severe, lasts over a week, or comes with a high fever or trouble breathing.
Gargling with salt water: Salt water may decrease inflammation and make swallowing less painful. Mix 8 ounces (oz) of warm water with 1 teaspoon (tsp) of salt and gargle this solution several times a day. Sipping warm drinks: Warm drinks, such as herbal tea, may help decrease pain.
Paracetamol is usually the first choice, especially when anti-inflammatory benefits are not needed. NHS considers it generally safe and a go-to for reducing fever or mild pain. Ibuprofen may be more appropriate when inflammation is a factor – such as in sprains, sore throats, or toothaches.
Eat soft foods with added moisture (see list of foods to try on page 2). o Add sauces or gravies to meat, poultry, potatoes, pasta, and vegetables. o Add syrup, jelly, jam, soft tub margarine, butter or milk to bread, pancakes, waffles, and hot cereals.
A sore throat usually lasts 5 to 10 days, resolving on its own as it's often viral (colds, flu). If it's strep throat (bacterial), symptoms improve within 2-3 days of starting antibiotics, but you must finish the full course. Seek medical help if it's severe, lasts over a week, or includes difficulty breathing/swallowing, a high fever, or a rash.
The usual dose of paracetamol is one or two 500mg tablets at a time, up to 4 times in 24 hours. The maximum dose is eight 500mg tablets in 24 hours. Do not take paracetamol with other medicines containing paracetamol because there is a risk of overdose.
A viral sore throat often comes with cold symptoms like a cough, runny nose, and hoarseness, while a bacterial one (strep throat) usually hits suddenly with severe pain, high fever, no cough, and white spots/pus on tonsils, but only a doctor's test (strep test) can confirm, as symptoms overlap and look similar.
Paracetamol is a good painkiller, and is less likely to cause side-effects. Although paracetamol does not reduce inflammation, it is often the preferred painkiller for muscle and joint conditions that cause pain but have little inflammation. For example, osteoarthritis.
June 26, 2025 – The new COVID-19 variant that now makes up about a third of U.S. COVID cases has a signature symptom: a painful sore throat that feels like "razor blades." "This 'razor blade sore throat' was reported as a common symptom in China," where the variant first emerged in May, said Matthew S.
Many different viral illnesses can cause sore throat. Some common ones are rhinovirus (common cold), flu, adenovirus, and coronaviruses, like COVID-19. These typically lead to redness and rawness in the back of the throat. One virus that really mimics strep throat is the Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that causes mono.
Gargle with Salt Water
Gargling warm salt water (about half a teaspoon in a cup of warm water) several times a day can reduce swelling, kill bacteria, and provide quick comfort.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Alcohol and caffeinated drinks like coffee are diuretics, meaning that they can potentially dehydrate you. As a result, your throat may become irritated and eventually sore. Consider abstaining from these drinks or opting for drinks with a lower alcohol or caffeine content.
Viruses, like those that cause colds or flu, are the most common cause of sore throat. These viruses are not strep throat. Sore throat can be a symptom of strep throat, the common cold, allergies or other upper respiratory tract illness.
Not to be given to children under 6 years. If symptoms persist, have not improved, or have worsened after 3 days, consult a doctor or health care professional. Important information about some of the ingredients of this medicine: This medicine contains sucrose (1.44g per lozenge) and glucose (0.98g per lozenge).
It's common to get a cold during pregnancy and they can be hard to avoid. Colds can be treated with self-care and paracetamol . Washing hands frequently and catching sneezes with a tissue can stop them spreading .
Can you drink water after taking Strepsils? Of course. You can consume water after sucking on a Strepsil lozenge. If you're suffering from a sore throat, one of the best things you can do is to sip plenty of water and other alcohol-free liquids to lessen pain and increase the efficacy of the lozenges.