Benzydamine hydrochloride

Types of Benzydamine Hydrochloride

Benzydamine is a medicine that alleviates pain and inflammation. It is also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used mainly in treating sore throats, mouth irritations, and tooth infections and as a topical application for pain and inflammation in muscle and joint conditions.

Benzydamine hydrochloride, a pH-balanced solution for sore throat, comes in the following types:

• Benzydamine hydrochloride oral spray

  Benzydamine hydrochloride oral spray is an anti-irritation product used to treat oral and throat infections. It is sprayed directly onto the throat and is usually used when the infection causes swallowing difficulties.

• Benzydamine hydrochloride gargles

  Some people, especially those with a sore throat, prefer gargling instead of an oral spray since it has numbing properties for the throat area. Hence, this product is mainly used for throat irritation.

• Benzydamine hydrochloride lozenges

  These tablets dissolve in the mouth to provide soothe the throat for a longer duration. They are normally indicated for localized pain due to pharyngitis, tonsillitis, or mucositis, but the lozenges are preferred in relieving dry and tickly coughs.

• Benzydamine hydrochloride mouthwash

  Benzydamine hydrochloride mouthwash is marked for oral mucositis and other conditions affecting the lining of the mouth and throat, especially in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, healthy people typically use the mouthwash to treat irritations.

• Benzydamine hydrochloride topical gel

  Benzydamine hydrochloride topical gel is used for pain relief associated with inflammatory conditions affecting the muscles or joints. It is applied directly to the skin over the area of pain or inflammation.

Supplies and Maintenance of Benzydamine Hydrochloride

Most benzydamine hydrochloride comes in liquid forms that can be sprayed, gargled, swished, or rinsed, but people still buy the oral tablets or lozenges. And while the gel is topical and doesn't need to be ingested, buyers must be aware that it can be transdermal, thus requiring the same level of attention as the rest.

Benzydamine hydrochloride is indicated for pain relief in the throat and mouth and the management of inflammatory conditions, but it has the following contraindications:

• Hypertension: High blood pressure can be adversely increased due to the sodium content in some formulations, especially gargles and mouthwashes.
• Cardiovascular disease: Some formulations, particularly in high-risk individuals, can increase heart rate, possibly worsening symptoms in people with serious cardiovascular disease.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Although benzydamine can be taken during pregnancy, it must be done with the doctor’s advice. The same goes for breastfeeding mothers.
• Children: Children below the manufacturer's age should not use benzydamine, mainly because they will likely consume more than what is recommended.

In addition, drugs that can interact with benzydamine hydrochloride include:

• Other antihistamines: Taking other antihistamines with benzydamine may increase the risk of drowsiness or other side effects.
• Antidepressants: Some antidepressants interact with benzydamine, increasing the risk of adverse side effects.
• Blood thinners: Anticoagulants or blood thinners like warfarin could increase the risk of bleeding if benzydamine is combined with other medications that also affect blood clotting.
• Other medications containing sodium: Avoid combining other drugs containing sodium with benzydamine formulations that already contain sodium.

To extend the shelf life of benzydamine hydrochloride, avoid the following:

• Avoid exposing benzydamine products to high or low temperatures. Extreme temperatures can degrade the drug's effectiveness by breaking it down or altering its chemical composition.
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Aside from the high temperatures that may result from exposure to direct sunlight, sunlight also affects the formulation's stability by altering its chemical structure and reducing efficacy.
• Avoid transferring benzydamine solutions into other containers. Transferring drugs and mouth or throat preparations into other containers exposes them to contaminants that may interact with them.

The Applications of Benzydamine Hydrochloride

Many people know Benzydamine hydrochloride as a pharmaceutical formulation, but the chemical compound underlying this formulation, benzydamine, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used mainly for pain relief and tissue inflammation caused by infections, injury, or illness.

Traditionally, benzydamine is indicated for the following therapeutic uses:

• Sore throat and mouth irritations: Benzydamine hydrochloride has local anesthetic properties that relieve pain and irritation in the throat. Benzydamine hydrochloride is available over the counter as a popular lozenge, mouthwash, spray, and gargle.
• Mucositis: Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer patients can cause mouth sores and inflammation, known as mucositis. Benzydamine hydrochloride is typically recommended for this condition because it helps relieve pain and discomfort.
• Tonsillitis: Benzydamine hydrochloride provides temporary relief from the pain and discomfort associated with tonsillitis, especially when combined with antibiotics targeting the infection.
• Oral surgery recovery: Benzydamine hydrochloride is recommended to help manage pain and discomfort after oral surgeries like tooth extractions and gum procedures.
• Teething: Benzydamine hydrochloride is sometimes used off-label to relieve teething pain in infants, but it should only be used with a doctor’s advice.

Benzydamine hydrochloride should also be combined with other treatment modalities for infection management and pain relief due to tissue damage:

• Treatment for bacterial infections: Antibiotics like penicillin, amoxicillin, and erythromycin help eliminate bacterial infections in the throat or mouth that may cause severe pain or irritation. These antibiotics, while helping to manage symptoms, may worsen the throat swelling, leading to breathing difficulties.
• Antiviral medications: Antiviral agents like acyclovir and antiviral lozenges may be prescribed to manage viral infections that cause oral and throat irritations, especially in immunocompromised individuals. While viral infections typically cause oral and throat irritations, combining these medications with Benzydamine hydrochloride can help manage symptoms better.
• Contagious or serious diseases: People suffering from diseases like chickenpox or mononucleosis that cause severe discomfort in the mouth and throat can also be treated with Benzydamine hydrochloride.
• Fungal infection treatments: Fungal infections like oral thrush can cause significant discomfort and irritation in the mouth, which can be relieved with Benzydamine preparations while also undergoing antifungal treatments like fluconazole and nystatin.

How to Choose Benzydamine Hydrochloride

There are several therapeutic preparations and formulations for benzydamine, but how do you choose the most suitable one? Consider the following factors:

• Severity of the condition

  The lozenges can be used for mild infections that do not require medications with a more active formulation. Benzydamine gargles and mouthwashes are indicated for mild to moderate infections, especially where poor oral hygiene is contributing to the infection. Benzydamine topical gel can be used to manage pain and discomfort associated with inflammatory conditions like arthritis, but desiring immediate relief may opt for Benzydamine sprays.

• Type of cough

  While a tickly cough is dry and causes little more than a tickle in the throat, chesty coughs bring up phlegm and can get rid of deep-seated throat infections. The doctor may recommend Benzydamine for tickly cough, especially if it is accompanied by throat irritation. Benzydamine gargles and mouthwashes can also temporarily relieve the discomfort caused by a tickly or dry cough while undergoing treatment for chesty coughs.

• Underlying health conditions or medications

  Hypertension, heart problems, or pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid Benzydamine hydrochrloride altogether or take it only after consulting a doctor. Antihatamines and antidepressants interact negatively with Benzydamine and should be avoided if already using this medication.

• Age considerations

  Healthy adults can use various Benzydamine formulations, but lozenges, gargles, and mouthwashes should get an adult’s approval before giving them to children. Older adults are particularly sensitive to medications and may suffer from increased confusion, drowsiness, or other symptoms if taking Benzydamine oral sprays, mouthwashes, gargles, and lozenges.

Q&A

Q1: What is Benzydamine hydrochloride used for?

A1: Benzydamine hydrochloride is used to relieve pain, discomfort, and inflammation in the mouth and throat by providing a soothing effect, especially when infected.

Q2: Is Benzydamine hydrochloride safe?

A2: Benzydamine is safe as long as the user adheres to the manufacturer’s guidelines or their physician’s instructions. Only pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children below the age of 12 should be cautious.

Q3: Can Benzydamine be taken with other medications?

A3: Benzydamine can interact with several other medications, especially antihistamines and antidepressants, by increasing the drowsiness effect. People taking medications that interact with Benzydamine should consult their physician before using any benzydamine formulations.

Q4: What are the signs of an allergic reaction to Benzydamine?

A4: Signs of allergic reactions to Benzydamine use include difficulty breathing, swelling in the face or throat, rash, hives, itching, or fever.

Q5: What happens to Benzydamine that has been exposed to extreme temperatures or sunlight?

A5: Exposing Benzydamine hydrochloride to extreme temperatures or even just a couple of hours of direct sunlight can degrade its chemical compounds, affecting the formulations and making them less effective at relieving pain, discomfort, and inflammation.