Medicines for laryngitis

introduction

Laryngitis (laryngitis) usually results from an infection with viruses or bacteria. A distinction is made between acute and chronic laryngitis, which are treated with different drugs. While fighting the infection and the accompanying symptoms is in the foreground in acute illness, chronic inflammation is treated with expectorant drugs.

In the case of a viral infection, the inflammation cannot be treated with medication; in this case, drug therapy is symptomatic. In the event of an infection with bacteria, which is much rarer than a viral disease, the doctor prescribes antibiotics.

Which drug groups are used?

Which group of drugs is used for laryngitis depends on the cause of the disease. Acute inflammation of the larynx is mostly viral and usually heals on its own within a few days. The patient can take medication that will improve the accompanying symptoms of the infection, e.g. Nasal spray or cough syrup.

Anti-inflammatory drugs from the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be taken for sore throats and swallowing problems. These include the most important representatives acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin®), ibuprofen and diclofenac. In addition to the pain-relieving effect, these preparations are also anti-inflammatory. Paracetamol is another pain reliever drug from the group of non-opioid analgesics.
You can get all of these painkillers without a prescription in any pharmacy, but you should not exceed the maximum permissible daily dose and the duration of intake.

If symptoms persist for several days and do not improve despite taking medication, a doctor must be consulted. Laryngitis is rarely caused by bacteria, in such cases the doctor must then prescribe the patient a suitable antibiotic.

So-called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used in chronic laryngitis, which has developed due to the permanent reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus.

Which antibiotics are used?

If the laryngitis is caused by bacteria or a secondary bacterial infection is present, the doctor can take a swab of the pharynx and thus determine the pathogen. He then prescribes an antibiotic that works against the bacterial infection and provides rapid relief from the symptoms. The antibiotics are usually taken orally in the form of tablets, in some cases it is also possible for the doctor to inject the medication. Due to their side effects and the spread of antibiotic resistance, these drugs should not be prescribed as a first step, but only in special cases.

Which antibiotic is given for a laryngitis depends on the type of pathogen. Common causes of laryngitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus. Accordingly, antibiotics such as amoxicillin, cephalosporins, macrolides and ketolides are used. Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic from the group of beta-lactam antibiotics and is effective against a wide range of pathogens. The group of cephalosporins includes Cefaclor, Cefuroxim-Axetil and Loracarbef. An important representative of the macrolides is azithromycin, which can also be administered to treat laryngitis.
The duration of antibiotics for laryngitis is usually between three and five days.

When is cortisone used?

Cortisone is a very potent endogenous steroid hormone that is extremely effective against inflammation and works within a very short time. However, due to its far-reaching effects, the high-dose or long-term use of cortisone leads to sometimes serious side effects, such as gastrointestinal complaints, osteoporosis, blood sugar problems and weight gain. Therefore, cortisone is only used in certain situations and laryngitis is usually not treated with cortisone-containing preparations.

A doctor will only prescribe cortisone if the lining of the larynx is severely swollen from the inflammatory reaction and there is a risk of breathing problems and shortness of breath. The cortisone is then sprayed directly onto the severely irritated larynx in the form of sprays and helps to reduce the swelling.

Find out more about the effects of cortisone.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for laryngitis caused by reflux

Heartburn (reflux) can cause chronic laryngitis due to the constant reflux of acidic gastric juice into the esophagus. In addition to hoarseness and cough, those affected suffer from a burning sore throat and a feeling of pressure behind the sternum. Doctors refer to this form of laryngitis as gastric laryngitis.
The doctor will then prescribe drugs that reduce the build-up of stomach acid called proton pump inhibitors or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The best-known representatives of this group of active substances are omeprazole, pantoprazole and esomeprazole. The active ingredients reach the stomach via the blood, where they irreversibly inhibit certain proteins, the proton pumps. As a result, the cells of the gastric mucosa produce up to 90% less gastric acid and the gastric juice is less acidic.

Proton pump inhibitors are currently the treatment of choice for reflux-related laryngitis. However, new studies show that these drugs do not always have the desired results in laryngitis and instead rely on a predominantly plant-based, Mediterranean diet.

For more information, read on: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

What over-the-counter medications are there?

There are a number of over-the-counter drugs that can be used to treat laryngitis. These include conventional pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol. These drugs have anti-inflammatory effects and relieve the sore throat and difficulty swallowing. Cough syrups and lozenges help against coughs and sore throats, and there are lozenges against hoarseness.

There are also over-the-counter cortisone sprays and antibiotics. However, these drugs should only be taken after consulting a doctor, otherwise serious side effects can occur.