Generic Name: dyclonine
Brand Names: Sucrets Classic Sore Throat, Sucrets Maximum Strength Sore Throat, Sucrets Children's Formula
Drug Class: Anesthetics, Oropharyngeal
What is dyclonine, and what is it used for?
Dyclonine is a medication used for temporary relief from occasional minor mouth and throat irritation, pain, sore mouth, and sore throat.
Dyclonine is available over the counter (OTC) in the form of lozenges taken orally and allowed to slowly dissolve in the mouth. Dyclonine relieves pain by acting as a local numbing agent (anesthetic).
Dyclonine produces local loss of sensation by reducing or preventing the conduction of nerve signals in the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat. Dyclonine binds to activated sodium channels on the membrane of nerve cells (neurons) and reduces the inflow of sodium ions. This stabilizes the neuronal membrane and arrests the action potential, stopping the conduction of pain signals from the region temporarily.
Warnings
- Do not take dyclonine lozenges if you are hypersensitive to any of the components in the formulation.
- Do not administer lozenges to children younger than 2 years old, lozenges can be a choking hazard for young children.
- Some formulations may contain propylene glycol, large amounts of which can be potentially toxic. Use with caution.
- Some formulations may contain tartrazine which may cause allergic symptoms, particularly in people with aspirin sensitivity. Use with caution.
What are the side effects of dyclonine?
Common side effects of dyclonine include:
- Local pain
- Local irritation
- Burning sensation in the mouth
- Localized numbness
- Localized warm feeling
- Feeling hot
- Sensation of cold
- Hypersensitivity reactions
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms or serious side effects while using this drug:
- Serious heart symptoms include fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness;
- Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
- Severe nervous system reaction with very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, and feeling like you might pass out; or
- Serious eye symptoms include blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may also report side effects or health problems to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

SLIDESHOW
Sore Throat or Strep Throat? How to Tell the Difference See SlideshowWhat are the dosages of dyclonine?
Lozenge
- 1.2 mg
- 2 mg
- 3 mg
Adults and Pediatric:
- Adults and children over 2 years: Allow lozenge to dissolve slowly in mouth; may be repeated every 2 hours as needed
- Children under 2 years: Safety and efficacy not established (lozenge may be a choking hazard)
- Not to exceed 10 lozenges/day
Overdose
Dyclonine overdose can depress the cardiovascular system, affect the central nervous system and cause methemoglobinemia, a condition with high blood levels of methemoglobin, a form of hemoglobin that does not deliver oxygen to tissues. Overdose treatment includes symptomatic and supportive care.
What drugs interact with dyclonine?
Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s recommendation.
- Dyclonine has no listed severe, serious, moderate, or mild interactions with other drugs.
The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.
It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- There are no animal reproductive studies on dyclonine use during pregnancy and it is not known if dyclonine can cause fetal harm. It is also not known if dyclonine can affect reproduction capacity. Dyclonine should be used by pregnant women only if it is clearly needed and the benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the fetus.
- It is not known if dyclonine is present in breast milk. Use with caution in nursing mothers because many drugs are excreted in breast milk.
- Do not take any OTC drug without first checking with your healthcare provider, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What else should I know about dyclonine?
- Take dyclonine exactly as prescribed or as per label instructions.
- If you are self-medicating with OTC dyclonine, stop use and consult a physician if:
- Store safely out of reach of children.
- In case of overdose, seek medical help or contact Poison Control.
Summary
Dyclonine is a medication used for temporary relief from occasional minor mouth and throat irritation, pain, sore mouth, and sore throat. Common side effects of dyclonine include local pain, local irritation, burning sensation in the mouth, localized numbness, localized warm feeling, feeling hot, sensation of cold, and hypersensitivity reactions. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Sore Throat or Strep Throat? How to Tell the Difference
Is this a sore throat or could it be strep throat? Explore the causes of a sore throat, including strep throat, and learn how to...
-
Strep Throat: Symptoms and Treatments for this Contagious Condition
Strep throat symptoms in adult and kids may be accompanied by a fever, rash and may lead to more serious complications. Strep...
-
Picture of Strep Throat
Strep infection often produces a distinct pattern of white patches in the throat and on the tonsils, as well as red swollen...
Related Disease Conditions
-
How Do I Know If My Sore Throat Is Viral or Bacterial?
It's seldom easy to tell the difference between bacterial and viral sore throats. Find out what the differences are and learn some tips for telling them apart. A sore throat is irritation and scratchiness in the throat accompanied by pain that often worsens with swallowing. The most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection. Rarely, a bacterial infection can cause a sore throat. Antibiotics cannot treat a sore throat if it is caused by a viral infection. Viruses cause about 90% of sore throats; hence, antibiotics should not be used immediately as treatment for a sore throat. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics such as penicillin if a sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection.
-
What Kills and Helps Fix a Sore Throat Fast?
Sore throat, or pharyngitis, refers to pain, tenderness, or discomfort in the throat. Things that kill a sore throat fast include saltwater gargles, herbal teas, honey and lemon, apple cider vinegar, and other remedies.
-
Sore Throat Home Remedies
Natural and home remedies for sore throat symptoms and pain relief include essential oils, licorice gargles, slippery elm leaves, raw garlic, Throat Coat tea, sage, and acupuncture. Typical symptoms of a sore throat include throat pain, coughing, sneezing, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Sore throats are caused by viral (common cold, flu, mumps), bacterial (tonsillitis, some STDs), toxins, allergens, trauma or injury, or "mechanical causes" (breathing through the mouth).
-
Sore Throat
Sore throat (throat pain) usually is described as pain or discomfort in the throat area. A sore throat may be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, toxins, irritants, trauma, or injury to the throat area. Common symptoms of a sore throat include a fever, cough, runny nose, hoarseness, earaches, sneezing, and body aches. Home remedies for a sore throat include warm soothing liquids and throat lozenges. OTC remedies for a sore throat include OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Antibiotics may be necessary for some cases of sore throat.
-
Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat. Signs and symptoms of strep throat include headache, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, and fever. Strep throat symptoms in infants and children are different than in adults. Strep throat is contagious and is generally passed from person to person. Treatment for strep throat symptoms includes home remedies and OTC medication; however, the only cure for strep throat is antibiotics.
-
Is Strep Throat Contagious?
Strep throat is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Incubation period for strep throat is 1-5 days after exposure. If strep throat is treated with antibiotics, it is no longer contagious after 24 hours; if it is not treated with antibiotics, it is contagious for 2-3 weeks. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, tonsillitis, white spots or patches on the tonsils, and nausea and vomiting. Diagnosis of strep throat is performed through a rapid strep test.
-
How Can I Get Rid of Strep Throat Fast?
Most sore throats are caused by viruses, however, in some cases, the sore throat might be caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep). Learn what medical treatments can help ease your strep throat symptoms and speed up your recovery. Sore throats are usually caused by viruses (such as cold or flu) or from smoking. Very occasionally they can be caused by bacteria. Your doctor may advise and prescribe antibiotics for you when you have a bacterial infection or pus in your throat.
-
Is Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) Contagious?
The medical term for a sore throat is pharyngitis. There are many causes of a sore throat such as medications, diseases (GERD, cancer, AIDS), infections (Streptococcus or strep, mononucleosis), allergies, and smoking. Symptoms are a red, swollen throat; fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Treatment for sore throat depends on the cause.
-
Can Strep Throat Go Away on Its Own?
Strep throat generally goes away on its own in three to five days; however, antibiotics are still typically prescribed to help reduce the spread of the virus.
-
Home Remedies for Sore Throat
Several home remedies may cure pain and other symptoms associated with a sore throat. However, it is imperative to note that these are not effective against bacterial infections, such as strep throat.
-
What Causes Strep Throat and How Long Does It Last?
Strep throat is a contagious infection that can be very uncomfortable. Learn the signs of strep throat, what causes strep throat, how doctors diagnose strep throat, and how doctors can treat strep throat.
-
What Are 7 Home Remedies To Kill a Sore Throat Fast?
Learn what's causing your sore throat, home remedies that can provide relief fast, and what other treatments can help to relieve your symptoms.
-
Can a Sore Throat Be the Only Symptom of COVID-19?
Although rare, COVID-19 may present with only sore throat in about 5%-10% of cases. COVID-19-related sore throat is relatively mild and lasts no more than 4-5 days.
-
What Is the Difference Between Strep Throat and Sore Throat?
What Is The Difference Between Strep Throat and Sore Throat? Learn how to identify the symptoms and treat these throat conditions effectively.
-
What Does the Beginning of Strep Throat Look Like?
Symptoms of strep throat appear two to five days after exposure with the most common early-stage sign being severe throat pain.
-
Should I Get Tested for COVID-19 if I Have a Sore Throat?
If you have a sore throat along with symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, you should get tested for COVID-19.
-
What Causes Burning at the Base of the Throat?
Burning at the base of your throat could result from a number of conditions, such as the cold and flu, tonsillitis, or GERD. Check out the center below for more medical references on throat pain, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
-
What Are the Symptoms of Strep Throat?
Symptoms of strep throat include sudden throat pain that becomes worse with swallowing, loss of fever, appetite, and swollen neck glands. Learn how to treat strep throat and how to prevent spreading the disease to others. Check out the center below for more medical references on strep throat, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related diseases, treatment, diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
-
Is Sore Throat Symptom of Coronavirus?
Sore throat is a potential symptom of coronavirus or COVID-19 infection. Learn about other COVID-19 symptoms and how to protect yourself from the virus.
-
Is My Sore Throat Allergies or COVID-19?
Sore throat can be a symptom of allergies or COVID-19, and it can be difficult to tell which one you have. Understanding the difference between these two illnesses can help.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Prevention & Wellness
Subscribe to MedicineNet's General Health Newsletter
By clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet's Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet's subscriptions at any time.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
https://reference.medscape.com/drug/sucrets-classic-sore-throat-sucrets-childrens-formula-dyclonine-999689
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/dyclonine-drug-information
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Dyclonine