How Cepastat Sore Throat & Cough Works: The Short Answer

Cepastat Sore Throat & Cough uses three active ingredients that each target a different part of your symptoms. Benzocaine numbs your throat tissue to block pain signals. Dextromethorphan suppresses your cough reflex by acting on your brain's cough center. And menthol creates a cooling sensation that soothes irritation and provides additional pain relief.

Together, these three ingredients make Cepastat a combination product that addresses both sore throat pain and cough in a single lozenge. Let's break down exactly what each one does.

What Each Ingredient Does in Your Body

Benzocaine (6 mg) — The Numbing Agent

Benzocaine is a local anesthetic—the same class of drug your dentist uses to numb your mouth before a procedure (though in a much higher dose). Here's how it works:

1. When you dissolve a Cepastat lozenge in your mouth, the benzocaine comes into direct contact with the mucous membranes of your throat
2. Benzocaine blocks sodium channels in the nerve endings of your throat tissue
3. Without sodium flowing through these channels, the nerves can't transmit pain signals to your brain
4. The result: your sore throat feels numb, and the pain temporarily goes away

Benzocaine works locally—it only numbs the tissue it directly touches. It doesn't enter your bloodstream in significant amounts, which is why the rest of your body feels normal even when your throat is numb.

Dextromethorphan HBr (5 mg) — The Cough Suppressant

Dextromethorphan (often abbreviated as DXM) is one of the most widely used cough suppressants in the world. It works differently from benzocaine:

1. When absorbed, dextromethorphan travels to the medulla oblongata—the part of your brainstem that controls the cough reflex
2. It raises the threshold for triggering a cough, meaning it takes a stronger stimulus to make you cough
3. This reduces the frequency and intensity of dry, irritating coughs

DXM is classified as an antitussive. It's most effective against dry coughs—the kind that come with colds and throat irritation. It's not designed for productive coughs (the kind that bring up mucus), which is why Cepastat shouldn't be used for coughs with excessive phlegm.

At the 5 mg dose in Cepastat, the cough-suppressing effect is mild compared to dedicated cough syrups (which typically contain 10-30 mg per dose). But combined with the throat-numbing effect of benzocaine, it provides meaningful relief.

Menthol (10 mg) — The Cooling Agent

Menthol is derived from mint plants and serves double duty in Cepastat:

• Cooling sensation: Menthol activates cold-sensitive receptors (TRPM8 receptors) in your throat, creating that familiar cool, soothing feeling—even though the temperature hasn't changed
• Mild analgesic effect: By stimulating cold receptors, menthol can actually reduce the perception of pain. It works similarly to how an ice pack helps with a sore muscle.
• Mild cough suppression: The cooling sensation can help soothe the tickle in your throat that triggers coughing

At 10 mg, menthol is actually the highest-dose active ingredient in Cepastat—higher than both the benzocaine and dextromethorphan. It's doing a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of overall soothing relief.

How Long Does It Take to Work?

Cepastat Sore Throat & Cough starts working quickly because the active ingredients are delivered directly to the affected area:

• Benzocaine: Begins numbing within 15-30 seconds of the lozenge starting to dissolve. You'll feel your throat going numb almost immediately.
• Menthol: The cooling sensation kicks in within seconds as the lozenge dissolves.
• Dextromethorphan: Takes slightly longer (15-30 minutes) to reach full effect since it needs to be absorbed and travel to the brain's cough center.

Most people notice significant relief within the first few minutes of dissolving the lozenge.

How Long Does the Relief Last?

The duration of relief varies by ingredient:

• Benzocaine numbing: Typically lasts 30-60 minutes after the lozenge fully dissolves
• Menthol cooling: Lasts about 30-45 minutes
• Dextromethorphan cough suppression: Can last 3-6 hours per dose

This is why the dosing instructions say one lozenge every 4 hours—the cough suppression carries over between doses, but you may need a new lozenge for the throat-numbing effect before the 4-hour window is up. Do not exceed 6 lozenges in 24 hours regardless.

What Makes Cepastat Different from Other Sore Throat Lozenges?

The OTC sore throat market is crowded. Here's how Cepastat's approach compares:

Cepastat vs. Menthol-Only Lozenges (Halls, Ricola)

Menthol-only lozenges like Halls and Ricola provide cooling relief and mild cough suppression, but they don't have the numbing power of benzocaine or the central cough suppression of dextromethorphan. Cepastat offers a more comprehensive approach for people dealing with both significant throat pain and a persistent cough.

Cepastat vs. Cepacol Extra Strength

Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat & Cough contains benzocaine (7.5 mg) and dextromethorphan (5 mg) but no menthol as an active ingredient. Cepastat adds menthol (10 mg) to the mix, providing that extra cooling sensation. Cepacol has a slightly higher benzocaine dose.

Cepastat vs. Chloraseptic Total

Chloraseptic Total Sore Throat + Cough is essentially the same product—benzocaine 6 mg, dextromethorphan 5 mg, and menthol 10 mg. If you can't find Cepastat, Chloraseptic Total is a direct equivalent. For more alternatives, see our alternatives guide.

Cepastat vs. Prescription Options

Cepastat is OTC and designed for temporary relief of minor symptoms. For severe or persistent sore throat and cough, a doctor might prescribe stronger options like prescription-strength cough suppressants or antibiotics if there's a bacterial infection. Cepastat is a first-line option for mild to moderate symptoms.

Final Thoughts

Cepastat Sore Throat & Cough works by combining three active ingredients that each target symptoms differently: benzocaine numbs the pain, dextromethorphan quiets the cough, and menthol soothes with a cooling effect. It starts working within seconds to minutes and provides relief that bridges the gap between doses.

It's a well-designed combination product for people who want both sore throat relief and cough suppression in one lozenge. The main challenge is finding it in stock—use Medfinder to check availability near you. And for information on potential side effects or drug interactions, we've got you covered.