How and when to use benzydamine - Brand name: Difflam

Always use benzydamine as a doctor or pharmacist has told you, or follow the instructions that come with your medicine.

Dosage

Benzydamine comes as a mouthwash, a spray or lozenges. Your dose will depend on your age and how you take your medicine.

Dosage for mouthwash

Adults and children aged 13 years old and over can use 15ml of mouthwash every 1.5 to 3 hours, as required.

Dosage for spray

Adults and children aged 12 years and over:

• 0.15% spray: 4 to 8 sprays every 1.5 to 3 hours
• 0.3% spray: 2 to 4 sprays every 1.5 to 3 hours

Children aged 6 years to 11 years:

• 0.15% spray: 4 sprays every 1.5 to 3 hours
• 0.3% spray: 2 sprays every 1.5 to 3 hours

For children 5 years old or under, your doctor or pharmacist will use your child’s weight to work out the right dose.

Dosage for lozenges

Adults and children aged 6 years and older can have 1 lozenge, 3 times a day.

How to use benzydamine

There are different ways of using benzydamine.

How to use mouthwash

Gargle with the mouthwash or rinse it around your mouth for about 20 to 30 seconds, then spit it out.

Use the measuring cup that comes with your medicine, so you get the right dose.

Do not swallow the mouthwash.

Wait at least 1 hour and 30 minutes between doses.

How to use mouth spray

There should be a plastic tube called a spray arm at the top of the bottle. This helps a sore throat because the spray can reach the back of the throat to control the pain.

1. Hold the bottle in an upright position and gently lift the spray arm so it’s sticking straight out.
2. When using the spray for the first time, point the spray arm away from your face and press the plunger at the top of the bottle a few times until a fine mist comes out.
3. Aim the spray arm at the sore part of your throat or mouth and press the plunger. Press the plunger the number of spray doses needed. It can go up to 4 times or 8 times for some adult doses.
4. Wipe the end of the spray arm with a clean tissue when you've finished. This will stop it becoming blocked.
5. Push the spray arm down, to rest against the side of the bottle.

Keep benzydamine away from your eyes.

How to take lozenges

When you have a lozenge, put it in your mouth and allow it to dissolve slowly. Do not chew or swallow it whole.

How long to use it for

You can usually use benzydamine mouthwash, lozenges or spray for up to 7 days. If your symptoms do not improve after 7 days, speak to a doctor, dentist or pharmacist. Stop using it after 7 days unless they say it's OK.

If you're using any benzydamine medicine to treat mouth ulcers, contact your doctor, dentist or pharmacist if your symptoms are not improving within 3 days, or are getting worse.

If you forget to use it

If you forget to use the mouthwash or spray, use it as soon as you remember, then carry on using it every 1.5 to 3 hours as required.

If you forget to have a lozenge, just skip the missed dose and have your next dose at the usual time. Do not have more than 3 lozenges in 1 day.

Never have an extra dose to make up for a missed dose.

If you use too much

If you use more than the recommended amount of mouthwash (without swallowing), number of sprays, or lozenges, you are very unlikely to get any serious side effects.

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the benzydamine packet or leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine, with you.