Do you have a dry cough, sore throat, or any form of discomfort in your nasal cavity? Most doctors will recommend cough drops if you have such pain.
However, the primary struggle lies in choosing the best cough drops for yourself. As an individual, you react to certain ingredients, and you can’t tell if a cough formula has it unless you pay attention to its label or read up credible reviews on it.
In this guide, we provide detailed reviews of the nine best cough drops on the market, each specific for certain populations or groups.
The Top 3 Best Cough Drops Brands: Quick Summary
The Best Cough Drops for Adults: HALLS Sugar-Free Honey Lemon Flavor Cough Drops – for quick relief of any form of nasal discomfort in adults. It also comes at affordable prices.
The Best Cough Drops for Kids: Beekeeper’s Naturals Kids Propolis Throat Spray – for quick relief of cough in kids. It contains kid-friendly herbs that are gentle to their body system.
The Best Cough Drops for Dry Cough and Flu: Sambucol Black Elderberry Homeopathic Cold & Flu Relief Tablets – for rapid relief from dry cough, flu, and sore throat, sneezing, fever, and chills.
An Overview of What Cough Syrups Are
A cough drop is a fluid-like substance that contains ingredients that act as a temporary cough suppressant, such as menthol or eucalyptus oil. It also serves to lubricate and soothe irritated tissues of the throat, possibly resulting from influenza or the common cold.
The purpose of the cough drops is to calm the irritation that you do feel in the throat region while drinking, swallowing, or even breathing.
9 Best Cough Drops For Dry Cough And Sore Throat: Detailed Reviews
After careful research, which involves going through customer reviews of cough drops, the number of ratings, and the demand rate of cough drops, we have been able to compile these nine best cough drops for you.
If you don’t seem to like any of those listed here or your doctor prescribed one that isn’t listed here, you could visit the Amazon store and have a detailed look at the customer reviews listed there as well as ratings.
However, don’t stop there; visit other search engines too. Reddit, Goggle, and Quora are some of the many resources you can check. Remember that health is wealth, so you shouldn’t take medications without proper knowledge.
Our detailed buyer’s guide at the end of this article covers more grounds on what to consider before selecting the ideal cough drops formula.
1. HALLS Sugar-Free Honey Lemon Flavor Cough Drops: The Best Cough Drops for Adults
- Form: Drop
- Specific uses: Cold-induced cough and sore throat.
- Active ingredient: Menthol (5.8 g per drop)
- Other ingredients: Beta-carotene, flavors, eucalyptus oil, isomalt, sucralose, soy lecithin, water.
- Directions: Adults and children five years and above should dissolve one drop slowly in the mouth. It would help if you repeated it every 2 hours as needed. Consult a doctor before administering to children under five years.
This cough drop by HALLS is one of the best cures for throat irritations and coughs in adults. It’s effective for scratchy throat, sore throat, calm nasal passages, cough, and immune system boost.
The HALLS cough drops come in various flavors and sugar-free varieties to cater to specific individual needs. All you have to do is to choose which HALL suits your taste. It also comes in different counts—25, 30, 70, and 180—ensuring there’s always a cough formula for you irrespective of your budget.
Although this variant is free from sugar, it contains soy, which could be a potential allergen. In addition, it’s advised you watch your intake as excessive use may induce a laxative effect.
Why it’s so great: HALLS is a trusted company with a wide range of effective formulas. In addition, the cough drops come in different flavors and cooling sensations, giving you more comprehensive options to choose from.
2. Beekeeper’s Naturals Kids Propolis Throat Spray
- Form: Spray
- Specific use: Scratchy throat and immune support in kids
- Active ingredient: Bee propolis extract (77.5 mg per spray)
- Other Ingredients:Vegetable glycerin, buckwheat honey, purified water
- Directions: Four sprays twice daily are recommended for children 2–12 years.
The Propolis Throat Spray by Beekeeper’s Natural’s regarded as the overall best cough drops for kids. This is because it contains natural immune support and powerful ingredients that perform wonders in soothing scratchy throats and promoting speedy recovery from cough in kids.
It contains about 300 beneficial compounds and natural antioxidants that have undergone different stages of testing, which have proved its quality and potency. Moreover, it contains no artificial ingredients, refined sugars, or additives.
Because it is designed for kids, this Propolis throat spray contains some extract of pure buckwheat honey, which is one of the best antioxidant-rich honey on the planet.
Why it’s so great: Beekeepers’ Naturals Propolis Throat Spray is known to contain no addictive, artificial sugar or harmful ingredients. It is purely natural and was Certified Paleo by the Paleo foundation in 2019. Also, the Beekeepers company is a nerd company that leverages scientific advisory boards into producing its drugs.
3. Sambucol Black Elderberry Homeopathic Cold & Flu Relief Tablets: The Best Cough Drops for Dry Cough and Flu
- Form: Tablet
- Specific use: Dry cough, cold, and flu symptoms
- Active ingredients: Bryonia, Gelsemium sempervirens, Sambucus nigra, sulfur, zincum gluconicum
- Other ingredients: Black carrot extract, elderberry flavor, croscarmellose sodium, lactose, maltodextrin, magnesium stearate, sucrose, microcrystalline cellulose
- Directions: Dissolve the entire tablet in the mouth but don’t chew or swallow whole. Take one tablet when you notice a fresh symptom and repeat three-hourly
This homeopathic formula by Sambucol is an excellent choice for the relief of cold and flu symptoms. This includes but is not limited to nasal and sinus congestion, sore throat, runny nose, coughing, chills, sneezing, and fever.
Furthermore, each tablet contains less than 1 g of sugar, making it an excellent choice for those that want to watch their blood sugar levels while taking cough drops. Plus, it doesn’t induce a drowsy feeling when taken.
The tablets are quick-dissolving in the mouth, meaning you can take them on the go without the need for water. These tablets are also formulated to work well with other Sambucol formulas like syrups, pastilles, and gummies.
Why it’s so great: The Sambucol Black Elderberry Homeopathic Cold & Flu Relief Tablets is a homeopathic formula that offers rapid relief from cold and flu symptoms without a drowsy feeling. Aside from its low sugar content, you can also take it without the need for water.
4. SoundHealth Cough Drops: The Best Cough Drops for Sore Throat
- Form: Drop
- Specific use: Sore and irritated throat as well as cold-induced cough
- Active ingredient: Menthol (7.5 mg per drop)
- Other ingredients: Beta carotene, corn syrup, corn starch, eucalyptus oil, honey, glycerin, medium-chain triglycerides, soybean oil, natural and artificial flavors, sucrose, water
- Direction: Adults and kids above five years should slowly dissolve one lozenge in the mouth and repeat two-hourly or as directed by a doctor; consult a doctor before administering to children under five years
SoundHealth Cough Drops containing 7.5mg of menthol in every drop provide relief to dry, irritated, and sore throats. In addition, they come in resealable bags; that is, you can carry them anywhere you go. The best thing about this particular cough drop is that it comes at a relatively lower price, considering its quality.
Furthermore, this cough drop doesn’t contain just menthol. Instead, it packs a synergistic blend of menthol, lemon, and honey, to ensure you have a soothing sensation when you take them.
Finally, this fantastic cough drop is Kosher-certified, gluten-free, and ensures only those ingredients with high potency and integrity are employed in its manufacture.
Why it’s so great: SoundHealth is an Amazon exclusive brand committed to providing quality and tremendous value for consumers, making it a trusted brand.
5. Wedderspoon Organic Manuka Honey Drops: The Best Organic Cough Drops With Honey
- Form: Drop
- Specific use: Cough due to cold, flu, and allergy.
- Active ingredients: Bee propolis, organic manuka honey
- Other ingredients: Organic cane sugar, organic brown rice syrup, eucalyptus oil, lemon oil
- Directions: A serving is two drops
The Wedderspoon Organic Manuka is the perfect organic cure for cold, flu, and allergy season. It’s a certified organic product made without gluten, dairy, nuts, soy, preservatives, flavors, and artificial sweeteners.
It also contains bee propolis which is naturally high in antioxidants and can be used as an immune system booster. Notably, it also has raw, unpasteurized manuka honey that’s EcoCert Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and sourced in New Zealand for unadulterated quality.
Note that the bee propolis contained in this cough drop can cause severe allergic reactions. If you notice any form of irritation or swelling to the throat or mouth, discontinue immediately and seek medical attention.
Why it’s so great: The Wedderspoon Organic Manuka Honey Drops formula is purely organic. Also, it’s devoid of many artificial additives and potential allergens.
6. HALLS Extra Strong Menthol Flavor Drops: The Best Cough Drops With Menthol
- Form: Drop
- Specific uses: Sore throat and sore mouth
- Active ingredient: Menthol (20 mg per drop)
- Inactive ingredients: Citric acid, FD&C blue 1, eucalyptus oil, flavors, potassium citrate, glucose syrup, soy lecithin, water, sucrose.
- Directions: Adults and children five years and above should dissolve one drop slowly in the mouth. It would help if you repeated it every 2 hours as needed. Consult a doctor before administering to children under five years.
The HALLS Extra Strong Menthol Flavor Drops help soothe a sore throat and cool nasal passages. Notably, every drop you take offers a whopping 20 mg of menthol—ranking it as the strongest cough drops in terms of menthol content on our list—for maximum strength and quick cough relief.
Additionally, the cool sensation it gives is simply heavenly. It is available in resealable bags of the 9 and 30 count. However, like the sugar-free variant, this cough drop contains soy and should be avoided by individuals with a soy allergy.
Why it’s so great: The HALLS Extra Strong Menthol Flavor Drops provide extra strength menthol, much more than the standard HALLS cough drop and other cough drops. Hence, it’s more suited for individuals with a more severe sore throat.
7. SoundHealth Sugar-Free Cough Drops: The Best Cough Drops That Are Sugar-Free
- Form: Drop
- Specific uses: Dry, irritated, and sore throat
- Active Ingredient: Menthol (5.8 mg per drop)
- Inactive ingredients: Acesulfame potassium, eucalyptus oil, corn starch, FD&C Blue no. 1, glycerin, FD&C Red no. 40, gum arabic, maltitol syrup, isomalt, medium-chain triglycerides, potassium sorbate, natural and artificial flavors, soybean oil, water, sucralose.
- Directions: Adults and kids above five years should slowly dissolve one lozenge in the mouth and repeat two-hourly or as directed by a doctor; consult a doctor before administering to children under five years
The SoundHealth Sugar-Free Cough Drops, made with an extract of honey, lemon, and 5.8mg of menthol in each drop, helps provide a soothing, cooling sensation to provide relief to dry, irritated, and sore throats.
In addition to being diabetic friendly (due to its zero sugar content), these menthol cough drops by SoundHealth are also Kosher-certified and gluten-free, making them a top choice for allergic individuals.
The high standards observed by the SoundHealth company ensure the use of only those ingredients with high potency, integrity, and purity. However, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult with a physician before use.
Why it’s so great: SoundHealth is an exclusive trusted brand that’s bent on producing only those health formulas that are safe and effective.
8. Ricola Original Herb Cough Drops: The Best Long-Lasting Cough Drops by Ricola
- Form: Drop
- Specific uses: Cold or irritant-induced cough; Irritation and pain due to a sore throat or sore mouth
- Active ingredient: Menthol (4.8 mg)
- Other ingredients: A 1% extract of a Ricola herb mixture (horehound, speedwell, burnet, marshmallow plant, elder blossom, lady’s mantle, mallow, sage, peppermint, yarrow, plantain, cowslip, thyme), isomalt, plain caramel, steviol glycosides, natural mint flavoring
- Direction: Adults and children over six years should slowly dissolve two drops (one at a time) in the mouth but shouldn't bite or chew. Repeat this two-hourly as needed or as recommended by your doctor. Consult a doctor before administering to children younger than six years
Ricola is renowned for its use of particular high-quality herbs only grown in the Swiss mountains. The Ricola cough drops provide you with a solid soothing relief from coughs due to colds or flu, including itchy throats from allergies. Each drop contains 4.8mg of menthol, just enough to ease any form of sore throat you may have.
Ricola, for 80 years, has been making waves and still making waves the perfect choice for long-lasting relief from sore throat and cough. With a synergistic 13-herb blend grown using natural methods, this sugar-free formula offers a tooth-friendly cough drop free from lactose and gluten. It’s also Kosher-certified and vegan-friendly.
Why it’s so great: Ricola is committed to continuously providing effective solutions that are up to par with market standards. Its recipe is a secret that has been guarded for the past 80 years. Add to that the natural methods with which its herbs are grown.
9. Luden’s Deliciously Soothing Throat Drops, Wild Cherry Flavor: The Best Cherry-Flavored Cough Drops
- Form: Drop
- Specific use: Irritation due to sore throat and sore mouth
- Active ingredients: Pectin (2.8 mg per drop)
- Inactive Ingredients: Ascorbic acid, corn syrup, citric acid, FD & C Blue No. 2, flavors, FD & C Red No. 40, malic acid, sodium chloride, sodium acetate, soybean oil, water, sucrose.
- Direction: Adults and children older than three years should place one drop in the mouth and allow it to dissolve slowly; contact a doctor before administering to kids younger than three years
The Luden’s Throat Drops help soothe and relieve minor daily throat irritation and offer a great taste/flavor of wild cherry. Despite its zero menthol content, it’s known to help abate scratchy, irritated throats and sore mouths. This effect can be attributed to its pectin content — a potent demulcent.
Trusted for more than 100 years, these excellent throat drops are available in resealable bags of either 20, 30, or 90 counts as well as 20-count boxes. However, the box-packaged variant offers a lesser amount of pectin — 1.7 mg per drop. For those that don’t like the wild cherry flavor, there are other available options to select from, like honey lemon and honey licorice, as well as sugar-free varieties.
Why it’s so great: The Luden’s Cough Drops out because of their wild cherry flavor that gives your mouth a little bit of comfort as you take your drops. In addition, it has no menthol added to it, thereby making it a mild throat drop.
A Detailed Buyer’s Guide on How to Select the Best Cough Drops
We often resort to cough drops when we notice any form of nasal discomforts like cough, sore throat, and dry throat. Most of them can be bought over-the-counter and offer instant relief.
There are particular cough drops for adults and kids, with specific directions on how best to use them. However, it’s essential to pay attention to their labels as some contain specific allergens like soy.
How Effective Are Cough Drops?
Most cough drops contain useful herbs, decongestants, demulcents (like pectin), menthol, and natural flavors. In some cases, they do not only serve as effective and rapid relievers of nasal and throat discomfort but also strengthen the immune system and boost strength in humans.
Benefits and Side Effects
Every drug is known to have both benefits and side effects. In this section, we will be looking at both the benefits and side effects of cough drops.
Benefits of Cough Drops
It’s a no-brainer that the best cough drops offer relief from cough and sore throats. But how exactly do they do this? The following sections throw light on these areas.
They Boost the Immune System
Most cough drops contain useful herbs and organic ingredients that help in boosting the immune system.
They Offer Relief to Cough, Sore Throat, and Nasal Congestion
This is the primary purpose of cough drops, and it does work so well. The good part is that the cough drops come in specifications to cater to individual tastes and nature.
They Strengthen the Human Body
This applies to some purely organic menthol-containing cough drops. Apart from performing their primary cough relief function, they go further to relieve the body of minor pains and weakness.
Side Effects of Cough Drops
When cough drops are taken in excess, it can cause any of the following:
- Heartburn
- Skin allergies
- Diarrhea
- Decreased liver function
- Dizziness
- Sores in the mouth
- Muscle weakness
- Addiction
- Decreased kidney function
- Obstruction in mental reasoning
How to Choose a Suitable Cough Drop
To avoid complications, there are certain factors you must consider before choosing a cough drop.
Age
Not all cough drops are to be taken by individuals of all ages. For example, the “HALLS Extra Strong Menthol Flavor Drops” may not be the best cough drops for children younger than five years, probably due to their unusually high menthol content.
Hence, apart from following the instructions on a cough drops label, it’s advised you consult with your doctor for best results.
Health Status
The health status of individuals is paramount in selecting cough drops to take. For example, people with diabetes may have to settle for a sugar-free cough drop variant rather than the regular ones.
In addition, some individuals may exhibit anaphylactic reactions when taking menthol or bee’s propolis. In that case, they can go for other cough drops that lack menthol, e.g., those with pectin as the primary active ingredient.
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding
Although there is no credible study/research on the safety of cough drops in pregnancy, it’s advised you consult with your doctor before using one. Also, some cough drops contain sweeteners; if you have gestational diabetes, it’s recommended you steer clear of cough drops, or better still, seek medical advice.
Conclusion
Our detailed reviews highlight the top nine cough drops brands to buy for effective cough and sore throat relief. We hope these reviews make your buying journey less stressful.
Cough drops are an effective form of medication, but they can cause considerable harm when taken in excess. In most cases, you shouldn’t use them for more than seven days. If symptoms persist after this period, it’s recommended that you see a doctor.
Cough Drops: More FAQs
Do cough drops stop coughing?
Most cough drops contain menthol, bee’s propolis, herbs, or pectin, which help to relieve coughs temporarily.
How many cough drops is too many?
This will depend majorly on the type of cough drop as well as the stated directions. Generally, you can take cough drops every 2–3 hours or as needed.
If you’re unsure, you should check the label of the cough drop product to see the directions. However, it’s essential not to take them for more than seven days. If symptoms persist for more than seven days, it’s advised you see a doctor.
Can cough drops make you cough more?
A study on more than 500 patients shows that excess cough drops may make coughs more severe, especially those containing menthol. Hence, take cough drops in moderation.
Do cough drops raise blood pressure?
In most cases, cough drops and medicines for cold relief usually contain decongestants. Decongestants are substances that can pump higher blood pressure.
It does that in two ways. First, it can elevate your blood pressure and heart rate. Secondly, decongestants may cause your health to malfunction. To be on the safe side, do not abuse cough drops.
Can cough drops cause dry mouth?
The decongestants contained in cough drops are also found in cough syrup and hot tea, which affect oral health. In some cases, they may lead to dryness of the mouth, which exposes you to a higher risk of gum complications and enamel erosion.
Can cough drops expire?
Even the best cough drops do expire, and the FDA states that expired drugs are very harmful and are neither safe nor effective to use again. It’s advised to always check the expiry date before buying a cough drop product and not to use expired cough drops.