SORE THROAT

Boots Anaesthetic & Antibiotic Throat Lozenges, £4, pack of 24

CLAIM: Anaesthetic to numb throat pain. Antibiotic to fight throat infection.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘These are useful if you have a sore throat because they contain the anaesthetic benzocaine, however, the effect will be shortlasting,’ says ear, nose and throat expert Alasdair Mace.

‘But I don’t like anaesthetic lozenges as they numb the tongue. I find sprays such as Difflam (£6.99) or Ultra Chloraseptic (£5.99) more effective; they target the throat and are more likely to reach the tonsils, where the pain comes from.

While the antibiotic tyrothricin may kill some bacteria, it’s unlikely to have much effect as the dose isn’t high enough.

‘Most throat infections get better on their own anyway, so antibiotics won’t speed up your recovery.’