Which medicine dose doctors recommend if someone has throat pain and c

Which medicine dose doctors recommend if someone has throat pain and cough

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recommended dose paracetamol ibuprofen sore throat cough adults OTC

For a typical viral sore throat with cough (the most common cause), treatment is symptomatic - there's no single "prescribed dose" because it depends on the specific drug. Here's what's generally recommended for adults:

Pain/fever relief (sore throat)

Paracetamol (acetaminophen): 500-1000 mg every 4-6 hours, max 4 g/day (some guidelines cap at 3 g/day for regular use). Guidelines for sore throat often suggest a time-based schedule of 1 g four times daily rather than "as needed" dosing, since patients tend to under-dose and feel it isn't working - Textbook of Family Medicine, and a study on paracetamol for sore throat.
Ibuprofen: 400 mg every 4-6 hours, max 1200 mg/day OTC (up to 2400-3200 mg/day only under medical supervision). NSAIDs also reduce the inflammation causing the pain, not just the pain itself.
Aspirin: 325-650 mg every 4 hours (adults only - never in children/teens due to Reye's syndrome risk).
Ibuprofen and paracetamol can be alternated/combined for stronger relief if needed.

Cough

Dextromethorphan (common OTC cough suppressant): typically 10-20 mg every 4 hours or 30 mg every 6-8 hours, max ~120 mg/day for dry/non-productive cough.
Guaifenesin (expectorant, for productive/chesty cough): 200-400 mg every 4 hours.
Honey (1-2 teaspoons) has evidence-based benefit for cough, especially useful for children over 1 year where cough medicines aren't recommended.

Local throat relief

Throat lozenges/sprays (benzocaine, menthol) as needed per package directions.
Warm salt water gargles.

Important caveats

Textbooks note viral pharyngitis "should be treated symptomatically" - antibiotics are not indicated unless a doctor confirms a bacterial cause like strep throat (group A Streptococcus), which requires a prescribed antibiotic course, not OTC medicine - Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine, Red Book 2021.
Do not combine multiple products containing the same active ingredient (e.g., a combo cold medicine plus separate paracetamol) - this is the main cause of accidental acetaminophen overdose and liver damage.
Doses differ for children, pregnant/breastfeeding people, and those with liver/kidney disease or on blood thinners - a pharmacist or doctor should confirm dosing in these cases.
See a doctor if: symptoms last more than a week, high fever, difficulty swallowing/breathing, pus on tonsils, rash, or recurrent episodes - this raises suspicion for strep or another condition needing prescription treatment.

This is general OTC guidance, not a personalized prescription - actual dose should be confirmed by a doctor or pharmacist based on age, weight, and health history.

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