Products
Mouth sprays are commercially available as drugs, medical devices, and dietary supplements. Listed below are some active ingredients that are administered with an oral spray:
- Local anesthetics: Lidocaine
- Disinfectant: chlorhexidine
- Herbal extracts: chamomile, sage, echinacea.
- Gel former: celluloses
- Anti-inflammatory: benzydamine
- Antibiotics: Tyrothricin
- Nitrates: isosorbide dinitrate
- Weaning agents: nicotine
- Cannabinoids: cannabidiol (CBD), cannabis extract.
Mouth sprays are also widely used in alternative medicine, for example, in spagyric and gemmotherapy. For example, the Ribes nigrum mouth spray.
Structure and properties
Mouth sprays are liquid dosage forms for the administration of active ingredients into the mouth and throat. They are usually solutions, but the active ingredients may also be dispersed as emulsions and suspensions. With a propellant or spray attachment and with an atomizer, they allow the formation of fine droplets. Some possible excipients in oral sprays are listed below:
- Purified water
- Ethanol (alcohol)
- Polyols: glycerol, propylene glycol
- Flavorings such as menthol, essential oils, vanillin.
- Sweeteners, e.g. saccharin, xylitol, sucralose, acesulfame K
- Preservatives such as parabens
- Antioxidants
- Dyes
- Thickening agents such as celluloses
- Acids such as the citric acid, hydrochloric acid (pH adjustment).
- Bases such asSodium hydroxide, sodium hydrogen carbonate (pH adjustment).
- Emulsifiers: Sodium lauryl sulfate
Effects
Oral sprays have, for example, antiseptic (disinfectant), antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, astringent, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. They are often locally effective, but they may also be intended for systemic administration and exert specific pharmacological effects. In this case, the active ingredients are absorbed into the bloodstream through the oral mucosa.
Indications for use
Indications for use include (selection):
- Sore throat, difficulty swallowing
- Streptococcal angina
- Infections of the mouth and throat
- Tonsillitis
- Oral thrush
- Gum inflammation, bleeding gums
- Inflammation and injuries of the oral mucosa
- Aphthae
- Before and after dental or surgical treatment.
- Bad breath
- Dry mouth, hoarseness, scratchy throat.
- Smoking cessation
- Inner restlessness, nervousness, sleep disorders.
Dosage
According to the professional information. One or more sprays are given locally in the mouth or throat. Targeted therapy is possible with the sprays. The maximum number of sprays per day should be observed. Some liquids can be swallowed, others should be left to act and the rest should be spat out. Mouth sprays are usually used after meals and after eating. During spraying, it should not be inhaled so that the active ingredients and excipients do not enter the lungs.
Contraindications
For complete precautions, see the drug label.
Adverse effects
Possible adverse effects include local reactions in the mouth and throat, for example, a burning sensation, redness, disturbances in taste sensation, discoloration of the tongue, teeth, and dentures, and hypersensitivity reactions. Depending on the composition, systemic side effects may also occur.