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Gargle with furacilin for sore throat
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Does Furacilin help with tonsillitis? It helps if the development of acute tonsillitis is caused by strains of streptococci and staphylococci that are sensitive to this antiseptic of the nitrofuran group.
Its local antimicrobial action extends to staphylococcal and streptococcal infections, as well as intestinal bacteria (Escherichia, Shigella and Salmonella). But, as is known, a more common cause of this disease is adeno- and coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, etc.
Therefore, Furacilin can be used for purulent tonsillitis associated with bacterial infection of the tonsils (most often pyogenic streptococcus) as an adjuvant.
But Furacilin is unlikely to be of any use for herpetic sore throat caused by the herpes simplex virus, since the antiseptic properties of nitrofurans do not work on viruses.
Indications Furacilin for a sore throat
In domestic medicine, indications for the use of Furacilin solution (other trade names - Nitrofural, Nitrofurazon) include the treatment of infected wounds and burn surfaces, washing various cavities during surgical interventions, and sanitation of the bladder and urethra after catheterization.
Dentists recommend rinsing the mouth in case of inflammation of its mucous membrane or gums; in ophthalmology, this remedy is used to treat the conjunctiva and edges of the eyelids in cases of their inflammation. In otolaryngology, Furacilin can be used for inflammation of the ear canal and purulent otitis, for washing the paranasal sinuses in case of sinusitis and frontal sinusitis. And Furacilin solution is used for gargling in case of angina.
There is no specific information about whether it can be used for children (obviously, the experience of using Furacilin in pediatric practice has not been studied), but Furacilin is used to gargle children's throats from four to five years of age (when they are able to perform this procedure).
It should be noted that in the USA and many Western European countries this antiseptic has been classified as obsolete. Furacilin was synthesized in the mid-1940s by the Latvian organic chemist S. A. Giller (1915-1975).
Why is Furacilin obsolete? Because there are more effective and safer antimicrobial drugs. Animal studies conducted in the United States in the 1980s (as part of the National Toxicology Program) demonstrated evidence of embryotoxic (teratogenic) and even carcinogenic effects of Nitrofurazone, after which its use in humans was discontinued in the country.
Nitrofurans are widely used in poultry and fish farming. In Canada, a sterile solution of Furacilin is a veterinary drug for the treatment of superficial bacterial infections, pyoderma, eczema and osteomyelitis in horses, but Federal law prohibits the use of this drug in animals whose meat is intended for human consumption. This is due to the fact that in people with congenital deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, nitrofurans in the meat or fish consumed can damage red blood cells, causing hemolytic anemia.
Abroad, pregnant women are prohibited from using any internal medications containing nitrofuran derivatives. It is permissible to use Furacilin solution for gargling during pregnancy, but doctors warn: pregnant women should not swallow this solution.
Release form
Furacilin is available in the form of tablets (20 mg each) – for the preparation of an aqueous solution; a ready-made aqueous solution (0.02%) – for external use; an alcohol solution (0.066%).
Also in pharmacies there is furacilin ointment (0.2%), used in surgery and ophthalmology.
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Pharmacodynamics
The mechanism of pharmacological action of Furacilin, which is a synthetic derivative of heterocyclic polychlorobenzofuran compounds of the furan class (5-nitrofurfural), consists of the irreversible transformation of microorganism proteins, including their RNA.
The modification occurs due to the presence of an electron-acceptor group, which absorbs molecular oxygen in the mitochondria of bacterial protein dehydrogenase enzymes, which leads to disruption of their cellular respiration and general metabolism.
As a result, either the synthesis of nucleic acids in bacterial cells slows down (this is a bacteriostatic effect), or – at a higher concentration of Furacilin – a bactericidal effect is observed, that is, the microbes die.
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Dosing and administration
Furacilin for sore throat is used locally, the maximum single dose is 0.1 g; daily dose is 0.5 g.
The instructions indicate how to dilute Furacilin for sore throat, using tablets that are dissolved in hot water, after being crushed to a powder state.
Gargling with Furacilin for sore throat, proportions: one tablet per 100 ml of water, the solution should be slightly warm.
How many times and how often to gargle with Furacilin for sore throat is also indicated in the instructions: the throat should be gargled five to six times during the day, the duration of each gargle is about three minutes.
Read also – Gargling with furacilin for children and adults, during pregnancy: instructions on how to prepare
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Contraindications
Furacilin, like other nitrofurans, is contraindicated in cases of individual hypersensitivity to drugs of this group, in the presence of allergic dermatoses, in case of renal failure, and also in case of hemolytic anemia.
Nitrofuran group drugs for internal use are prohibited for pregnant women (in the last trimester) and children under one year of age.
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Storage conditions
Considering the increased photosensitivity of nitrofurans, the optimal storage conditions for Furacilin are: a dark place protected from moisture, temperature < +25°C.
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Shelf life
The shelf life of Furacilin tablets is 5 years, solution – 12 months.
Analogues
Furacilin analogues for gargling with acute tonsillitis are Hexetidine (Gexoral), Angilex (Givalex, Hepilor), Dekasan (0.02% solution of decamethoxin). More useful information in the material - Effective means for gargling with sore throat;
Instead of Furacilin, Miramistin (0.01% solution) or Rivanol (0.2% solution) are used for inhalations. Aerosols relieve inflammation and reduce pain: Kamfomen (with menthol, eucalyptus oil and furacilin); Stopangin (with hexetidine and essential oils), Orasept (with phenol), etc. See also - Aerosols for sore throat
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Gargle with furacilin for sore throat" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.