Here’s the thing about strep throat—you can’t treat the actual infection with over-the-counter medicines. Strep is a bacterial infection that requires prescription antibiotics. But while you’re waiting for those antibiotics to kick in, or if you’re trying to get diagnosed, OTC medications can make you much more comfortable.
Let me explain what helps with symptoms while the antibiotics do their work.
Pain Relief Is Essential
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are your best options for the severe throat pain that comes with strep. The pain can be brutal—worse than regular sore throats.
I usually recommend ibuprofen because it fights both pain and inflammation. Take 400-600 mg every 6-8 hours with food. The anti-inflammatory effect helps reduce the swelling in your throat.
Acetaminophen works well if you can’t tolerate ibuprofen. Take it every 4-6 hours as needed, staying under 3,000 mg in 24 hours.
Some people alternate between the two for severe pain, but check with a doctor before doing that.
Numbing Throat Sprays and Lozenges
Sprays containing benzocaine or phenol provide temporary numbing. They’re especially helpful right before meals when swallowing is most painful.
Spray 10-15 minutes before eating to allow yourself to get food and fluids down. Staying nourished matters when you’re fighting infection.
Lozenges with benzocaine or menthol also offer temporary relief. They work for about 1-2 hours at a time.
Gargling With Salt Water
Mix half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water and gargle for 30 seconds every few hours. This reduces swelling and provides temporary pain relief.
I know it seems old-fashioned, but it genuinely helps. Patients who do this consistently report less pain between doses of pain relievers.
What Doesn’t Work
Cough suppressants aren’t needed for strep throat since you don’t typically have a cough. If you do have coughing, it might not be strep.
Antihistamines won’t help unless you also have allergies. They can thicken mucus and make you uncomfortable.
Most importantly, those “immune-boosting” supplements marketed for throat infections won’t treat strep and can give you false confidence that delays proper antibiotic treatment.
Why You Must Get Antibiotics
This is critical—strep throat needs antibiotics. It’s not a condition you can treat entirely with over-the-counter medications.
Untreated strep can lead to serious complications like rheumatic fever, which can damage your heart, or kidney problems. These complications are rare but too serious to risk.
Through our telemedicine system, I can assess your symptoms and determine if you likely have strep throat. We can prescribe antibiotics that you can pick up at your pharmacy the same day.
How Long Until You Feel Better
Once you start antibiotics, most people notice improvement within 24-48 hours. The over-the-counter pain medications bridge that gap and continue helping while the antibiotics work.
Keep taking antibiotics for the full prescribed course even after you feel better—usually 10 days. Stopping early risks complications and relapse.
Red Flags to Watch For
Difficulty breathing or swallowing, drooling because you can’t swallow saliva, or severe one-sided throat pain all need immediate medical evaluation—these could signal complications.
High fever above 103 degrees that doesn’t respond to medication, or a rash with your sore throat, also warrant urgent assessment.
The bottom line? Over-the-counter medications help you feel better, but antibiotics are non-negotiable for strep throat. Don’t delay getting properly diagnosed and treated.
