benzydamine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Locally acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic and local anaesthetic effects.
Main role
Relieves pain and inflammation affecting the mouth or throat, including after some procedures.
Available forms
Mouthwash and targeted oromucosal spray.
Administration
Spit out the mouthwash after rinsing or gargling. Direct the spray at the painful area and avoid the eyes.
What is benzydamine hydrochloride used for?
The selected products are licensed for local relief of painful inflammatory conditions affecting the mouth and throat.
Inflammatory throat conditions, including pharyngitis.
Aphthous ulcers and other painful oral ulceration, including ulceration associated with radiotherapy.
Pain following tonsillectomy, nasogastric-tube use or dental procedures.
How does benzydamine hydrochloride work?
Benzydamine concentrates locally in inflamed tissue. It reduces inflammatory signalling, stabilises cell membranes and acts on local nerve channels to provide temporary numbness and pain relief. Unlike typical aspirin-like NSAIDs, it only weakly inhibits cyclo-oxygenase at usual local concentrations.
benzydamine hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Mouthwash
Route: Oromucosal
Strengths: 0.15% w/v
Oromucosal preparation
Route: Oromucosal
Strengths: 0.15% w/v
How to take benzydamine hydrochloride
Follow the instructions for the specific product and keep it away from the eyes.
Mouthwash: use the supplied measure, rinse or gargle, then spit it out. Do not swallow it.
If the mouthwash causes stinging, it may be diluted with water.
Spray: hold the bottle upright, prime it before first use, aim at the affected area and wipe the spray arm afterwards.
benzydamine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Temporary stinging in the mouth.
- Temporary numbness in the mouth.
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis or angioedema, with facial, mouth or throat swelling or breathing difficulty.
- Bronchospasm or laryngospasm, causing wheezing or marked difficulty breathing.
- Hypersensitivity reactions such as widespread itchy rash or urticaria.
benzydamine hydrochloride in pregnancy
Advice differs by formulation. The selected spray is contraindicated during the third trimester and should otherwise be used only when a physician considers it essential. The selected mouthwash should be used only when clearly necessary. Ask a pharmacist, midwife or prescriber before use during pregnancy, particularly from week 20 onwards.
benzydamine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Only a very small amount is expected to reach breast milk, and adverse effects in the infant are unlikely. However, the selected product information advises use only when considered essential by a physician. Check the exact product with a pharmacist or prescriber.
benzydamine hydrochloride interactions
No specific medicine interactions are known for the selected products, but a complete medicines history remains appropriate.
Other medicines
Clinically important interactions are unlikely, but tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist what you use.
Herbal remedies and supplements
Interaction evidence is limited, so disclose these to a pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions about benzydamine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is benzydamine hydrochloride an antibiotic?
No. It is a local anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving treatment; it does not act as an antibiotic or replace treatment needed for an infection.
Why does benzydamine hydrochloride make my mouth feel numb or sting?
Temporary numbness and stinging are recognised local adverse reactions. Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with a pharmacist or prescriber.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.