Strepsils
Encyclopedia
Strepsils is a line of lozenges
manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser
in Nottingham
, United Kingdom
. They come in a variety of flavours and are part of the Boots Healthcare International (BHI) brands that Reckitt Benckiser
acquired in 2006. As of 2010, it is the largest-selling sore throat product in the world.
s, namely amylmetacresol
and 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol
. These ingredients are mild antiseptic
s, which can kill bacteria
associated with mouth and throat infections. However, as indicated on the packet, research has not shown the presence of an antibacterial agent to reduce the length or severity of an infection. Strepsils "Extra" contains hexylresorcinol
as an active ingredient, and Strepsils "Sore Throat & Blocked Nose" contains menthol
8 mg. Reckitt Benckiser
also produce a higher-strength lozenge that used to be marketed under the Strepsils "Intensive" label, but are now marketed under the brand name Strefen, which contains the active ingredient flurbiprofen
8.75 mg.
, Argentina
and parts of Europe Reckitt Benckiser also market Strepsils Plus, which contains lidocaine
in addition to the antiseptic agents present in original Strepsils.
In Sri lanka and France Strepsils are also available with lidocaine marketed as Strepsils con lidocaína in Spain and Strepsils Lidocaine in France.
The name "Strepsil" comes from the Streptococcus
bacterium that causes certain types of sore throat. Strepsils are sold in Italy
under the brand name Benagol, in Germany
earlier as Dobendan, lately as Dobendan Strepsils. In Norway
Strepsils are sold without active ingredients under the brand name Repsils.
The Lily Allen song Nan You're a Window Shopper refers to Nan as stinking like Strepsils.
Vitamin C
is added for Strepsils Vitamin C-100. Each lozenge
of Strepsils Vitamin C-100 contains 1.2 mg 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, 0.6 mg amylmetacresol
and 100 mg vitamin C. A special lozenge of Strepsils, the "Strepsils Chesty Cough" contains no dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol, but it contains 15mg of ambroxol hydrochloride
.
Throat lozenge
A throat lozenge, cough drop, troche, or cough sweet is a small, medicated tablet intended to be dissolved slowly in the mouth to temporarily stop coughs and lubricate and soothe irritated tissues of the throat , possibly from the common cold or influenza...
manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser plc is a global consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of household products and a major producer of consumer healthcare and personal products...
in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. They come in a variety of flavours and are part of the Boots Healthcare International (BHI) brands that Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser plc is a global consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of household products and a major producer of consumer healthcare and personal products...
acquired in 2006. As of 2010, it is the largest-selling sore throat product in the world.
History
Strepsils have been in production since 1958, and contain two active ingredientActive ingredient
An active ingredient is the substance of a pharmaceutical drug or a pharmaceutical ingredient and bulk active in medicine; in pesticide formulations active substance may be used. Some medications and pesticide products may contain more than one active ingredient...
s, namely amylmetacresol
Amylmetacresol
Amylmetacresol or Amyl-m-Creso is an antiseptic used to treat minor infections of the mouth and throat. It is one of two active ingredients in Strepsils / lozenges. Boots Group / also make a lozenge with this as active ingredient. Amylmetacresol has a RW coefficient of 250....
and 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol
2,4-Dichlorobenzyl alcohol
2,4-Dichlorobenzyl alcohol is a mild antiseptic, able to kill bacteria and viruses associated with mouth and throat infections. It is a common ingredient in throat lozenges such as Strepsils/Gorpils...
. These ingredients are mild antiseptic
Antiseptic
Antiseptics are antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction...
s, which can kill bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
associated with mouth and throat infections. However, as indicated on the packet, research has not shown the presence of an antibacterial agent to reduce the length or severity of an infection. Strepsils "Extra" contains hexylresorcinol
Hexylresorcinol
Hexylresorcinol is a chemical compound with anaesthetic, antiseptic and antihelmintic properties.It can be used topically on small skin infections, or as an ingredient in throat lozenges....
as an active ingredient, and Strepsils "Sore Throat & Blocked Nose" contains menthol
Menthol
Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained from peppermint or other mint oils. It is a waxy, crystalline substance, clear or white in color, which is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above. The main form of menthol occurring in nature is -menthol, which is assigned...
8 mg. Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser
Reckitt Benckiser plc is a global consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of household products and a major producer of consumer healthcare and personal products...
also produce a higher-strength lozenge that used to be marketed under the Strepsils "Intensive" label, but are now marketed under the brand name Strefen, which contains the active ingredient flurbiprofen
Flurbiprofen
Flurbiprofen is a member of the phenylalkanoic acid derivative family of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat the inflammation and pain of arthritis...
8.75 mg.
Markets
In AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
and parts of Europe Reckitt Benckiser also market Strepsils Plus, which contains lidocaine
Lidocaine
Lidocaine , Xylocaine, or lignocaine is a common local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug. Lidocaine is used topically to relieve itching, burning and pain from skin inflammations, injected as a dental anesthetic or as a local anesthetic for minor surgery.- History :Lidocaine, the first amino...
in addition to the antiseptic agents present in original Strepsils.
In Sri lanka and France Strepsils are also available with lidocaine marketed as Strepsils con lidocaína in Spain and Strepsils Lidocaine in France.
The name "Strepsil" comes from the Streptococcus
Streptococcus
Streptococcus is a genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the lactic acid bacteria group. Cellular division occurs along a single axis in these bacteria, and thus they grow in chains or pairs, hence the name — from Greek στρεπτος streptos, meaning...
bacterium that causes certain types of sore throat. Strepsils are sold in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
under the brand name Benagol, in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
earlier as Dobendan, lately as Dobendan Strepsils. In Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
Strepsils are sold without active ingredients under the brand name Repsils.
The Lily Allen song Nan You're a Window Shopper refers to Nan as stinking like Strepsils.
Dosage
The recommended dosage is one lozenge every 2–3 hours for adults.Vitamin C
Vitamin C
Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. In living organisms ascorbate acts as an antioxidant by protecting the body against oxidative stress...
is added for Strepsils Vitamin C-100. Each lozenge
Throat lozenge
A throat lozenge, cough drop, troche, or cough sweet is a small, medicated tablet intended to be dissolved slowly in the mouth to temporarily stop coughs and lubricate and soothe irritated tissues of the throat , possibly from the common cold or influenza...
of Strepsils Vitamin C-100 contains 1.2 mg 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, 0.6 mg amylmetacresol
Amylmetacresol
Amylmetacresol or Amyl-m-Creso is an antiseptic used to treat minor infections of the mouth and throat. It is one of two active ingredients in Strepsils / lozenges. Boots Group / also make a lozenge with this as active ingredient. Amylmetacresol has a RW coefficient of 250....
and 100 mg vitamin C. A special lozenge of Strepsils, the "Strepsils Chesty Cough" contains no dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol, but it contains 15mg of ambroxol hydrochloride
Ambroxol
Ambroxol is a secretolytic agent used in the treatment of respiratory diseases associated with viscid or excessive mucus. It is the active ingredient of Mucosolvan, Mucobrox, Lasolvan, Mucoangin, Surbronc and Lysopain...
.
Flavours
- Ginger & Lemon
- Honey & Lemon
- Original
- Warm
- Orange Vitamin C
- Cool
- Blackcurrant
- Strawberry Sugar Free
- Cherry
- Sore Throat & Blocked Nose
- Sore Throat & Cough