Our household has been bit with the flu. We’ve all had sore throats, aches and pains, and stuffy noses. The sore throat was the first symptom I suffered with, and I would buy just about any over the counter product to relieve it.
Looking over the choices available to me, the consumer, was daunting. I ended up purchasing a box of Chloraseptic Max Sore Throat Lozenges, which promised “fast acting relief”. The box of 15 lozenges retailed for $3.89, on sale.
Product Claims
The front of my box states that Chloraseptic Max Sore Throat Lozenges are the number one product recommended by pharmacists. It also explains that the lozenges have a “soothing liquid center,” and my package has the flavor of Wild Berries.
Furthermore, the front of the box claims these contain “MAX strength pain relief” and that they “cool nasal passages”.
Active Ingredients
I’ve used Chloraseptic lozenges for year during the cold season, but the MAX formula contains more benzocaine than the original Chloraseptic formula. In fact, each Chloraseptic Max lozenge contains 15 milligrams of the oral anesthetic and analgesic benzocaine compared to the original Chloraseptic lozenges, which contain 6 milligrams. The second active ingredient is 10 milligrams of menthol, which also acts as an oral analgesic and anesthetic.
How Often Can I Take Chloraseptic Max Sore Throat Lozenges?
When my throat is raw and sore I can consume cough drops and pain killing lozenges like candy, but the box does warn users (adults and children 6 years of age and older) to take one lozenge every two hours as needed.
Taste
Chloraseptic Max Sore Throat Lozenges do have a pleasant berry flavor, but the menthol in these lozenges is very strong and it did help clear my sinus congestion, at least temporarily. I am not too crazy about the liquid center, I felt the lozenges became sharper and hard on my tongue as the hard shell gave way to the soft center.
How Much Relief Did They Provide?
It only took me five minutes for one oval shaped lozenge to dissolve in my mouth, and during the time I was sucking on the lozenge (and about ten minutes after) I did get some relief from my sore throat pain. After that time, however, I was sad to find the lozenges lost most of their power for pain relief.
In fact, my Halls Advanced Vapor Action lozenges actually gave me the same measure of relief and the only active ingredient in the Halls lozenges was 7 milligrams of menthol.
My Recommendation
Based on my experience, the Chloraseptic Max Sore Throat Lozenges were a disappointment. I expected longer lasting relief from my sore throat pain, and I had a hard time waiting for two hours before I was able to take an additional lozenge. I actually found more relief from soothing throat lozenges that didn’t contain any oral analgesics or anesthetics. I believe the simple act of keeping my mouth from drying out helped relieve the pain, and the medicated lozenges didn’t numb my pain long enough to justify the cost.