Cough drops containing menthol create a cooling effect and may help soothe throat irritation.
However, according to Popular Science, consuming large amounts can irritate the mucous membranes and cause side effects.
Experts from America’s Poison Centers say symptoms linked to overuse may include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
In rare cases, people may also experience confusion or seizures.
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Research from the Wisconsin Research and Education Network, published in The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, also suggests that heavy menthol consumption could potentially prolong coughing because the throat becomes increasingly irritated.
Requires large quantities
Although side effects can occur, experts stress that severe poisoning is extremely rare.
According to Popular Science, a standard throat lozenge typically contains between five and ten milligrams of menthol.
An adult would need to consume several hundred lozenges within a short period for the amount to become life-threatening.
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Only a few serious cases have been documented in medical literature, including one involving an elderly man who consumed large quantities of cough drops every day for many years.
Certain products pose higher risks
Experts particularly warn against products containing benzocaine. The substance can affect the blood’s ability to transport oxygen throughout the body.
In severe cases, this may lead to blue lips, blue hands, and other dangerous symptoms.
Experts therefore recommend always following the instructions on the packaging and keeping cough drops out of reach of children.
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However, it is very difficult to suffer a dangerous overdose from ordinary cough drops when they are used correctly.
Sources: Popular Science, America’s Poison Centers, and The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
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