Is it bad to eat cough drops like candy?

December 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a survey, nearly 3% of 8th graders and over 5% of 12th graders have used cough medicine for non-medical purposes, highlighting a prevalent misconception that these lozenges are harmless treats. The frequent use of cough drops beyond their intended purpose carries notable health risks, largely due to their active ingredients and high sugar content.

Quick Summary

Eating cough drops like candy is ill-advised due to potential side effects from excessive sugar, artificial sweeteners, and active ingredients like menthol. Overconsumption can lead to digestive issues, dental problems, and irritation, and should be avoided.

Key Points

Menthol Risks: Excessive menthol, an active ingredient, can cause stomach issues, irritate vocal cords, and lead to dizziness.
Sugar & Sweetener Effects: High sugar content harms teeth and affects blood sugar, while sugar-free options with sorbitol can cause digestive upset.
Dosage is Crucial: Cough drops are medication, not candy; follow the recommended dosage on the package to avoid side effects.
Dental Decay: Frequent consumption of sugary cough drops significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and cavities.
Alternative Remedies: Hard candy can soothe a sore throat with less risk, and home remedies like honey and warm water are also effective options.
Masking Symptoms: Overusing cough drops may mask symptoms of a more serious condition, so consult a doctor for persistent problems.
Choking Hazard: Cough drops pose a choking risk, especially for young children, and should be kept out of their reach.
Medicated Ingredients: Some drops contain dextromethorphan (DXM), which can be dangerous in high doses or mixed with other medications.

The Core Problem: Why Cough Drops Aren't Candy

While they may be sweet and come in candy-like flavors, cough drops are not an everyday treat. Their soothing sensation comes from active ingredients, most commonly menthol, and they often contain substantial amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners. Regular, excessive intake can lead to a host of unpleasant side effects and health issues, both immediate and long-term.

The Impact of Active Ingredients

Many cough drops contain menthol, an active ingredient that provides a cooling sensation to soothe a sore throat and can act as a cough suppressant. While safe in small, recommended doses, high concentrations can cause issues.

Irritation: In high quantities, menthol can actually irritate the vocal cords, having the opposite effect of its intended purpose and making a cough worse.
Digestive Upset: Excessive menthol can lead to stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Toxicity: Though rare, menthol toxicity is possible from extreme overuse, with symptoms that can include confusion, muscle weakness, and in very severe cases, seizures. A lethal dose is extremely high, requiring thousands of drops, but long-term, high-dose ingestion can still cause chronic health issues.

Some medicated drops also contain dextromethorphan (DXM), which can be abused for its euphoric and dissociative effects in high doses. Combining multiple medications containing DXM can result in accidental overdose with severe side effects.

The Sugar and Sweetener Trap

Most traditional cough drops are essentially hard candies with added active ingredients and are loaded with sugar. A single cough drop can contain several grams of sugar, and frequent consumption adds up quickly.

Dental Decay: The sugar in cough drops coats the teeth, creating an ideal environment for bacteria that cause cavities. Sucking on sugary lozenges repeatedly throughout the day or, even worse, falling asleep with one in your mouth, significantly increases the risk of tooth decay.
Blood Sugar Spikes: For individuals with diabetes, the high sugar content can cause dangerous spikes in blood sugar levels. Even for those without diabetes, this can contribute to weight gain.
Laxative Effect: Many sugar-free cough drops replace sugar with artificial sweeteners like sorbitol. While helpful for blood sugar control, excessive sorbitol can have a potent laxative effect, causing diarrhea, gas, and stomach cramps.

Other Potential Hazards

Beyond the primary ingredients, other risks are associated with treating cough drops like candy.

Choking Hazard: For young children, cough drops can present a serious choking hazard due to their size and shape. Always supervise children and follow age recommendations.
Delayed Diagnosis: Using cough drops to mask persistent symptoms can prevent a person from seeking proper medical attention for a more serious underlying condition. If a cough or sore throat lasts more than a week, or is accompanied by a fever or difficulty breathing, a doctor should be consulted.

Cough Drops vs. Hard Candy: A Comparison

To highlight the key differences, here is a comparison table:


Feature	Cough Drops	Hard Candy
Purpose	Temporary symptom relief (cough, sore throat)	Enjoyment, flavor
Active Ingredients	Often contain menthol, eucalyptus oil, or other medicines	No active medicinal ingredients
Risks of Overuse	Digestive upset, irritation, potential toxicity from active ingredients	Dental decay, weight gain from sugar
Sugar/Sweetener	Contains sugar or artificial sweeteners (like sorbitol), which can cause laxative effects.	Typically contains high amounts of sugar.
Usage Guidelines	Use sparingly, follow dosage instructions on package.	Can be consumed more casually, but moderation is advised for general health.

Responsible Consumption and Alternatives

Instead of treating cough drops as a constant fix, they should be used as directed on the packaging for short-term relief. For those seeking an alternative, simple hard candies can provide similar throat-soothing benefits by stimulating saliva production without the added medicated risks. Other home remedies, such as warm water with honey and lemon, can also be effective.

Conclusion: Mindful Use is Key

While popping a cough drop occasionally is fine, treating them like a continuous supply of candy is a bad idea due to the risks associated with excessive active ingredients, high sugar content, and potential dental problems. Always read the label for recommended dosages and be aware of the potential side effects. For prolonged symptoms, consulting a healthcare professional is the safest and most effective course of action. Using cough drops mindfully and as intended ensures you get the temporary relief you need without unnecessary health complications.

List of Potential Issues from Overconsumption

Digestive Problems: Nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea (especially from sorbitol).
Oral Health Decay: Increased risk of cavities due to high sugar content.
Vocal Cord Irritation: Menthol can dry out or irritate vocal cords in high amounts.
Menthol Toxicity: Though rare, potential for symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and rapid heart rate from excessive menthol.
Sugar-Related Issues: Blood sugar spikes, especially for diabetics, and weight gain.

Frequently Asked Questions

While an overdose from cough drops is rare, it is possible, particularly from excessive ingestion of active ingredients like menthol or dextromethorphan (DXM). It would require consuming thousands of drops in a short period to be lethal, but serious side effects from overconsumption are a real risk.

Sugar-free cough drops often contain artificial sweeteners like sorbitol. Consuming too many can lead to a laxative effect, causing gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

Yes, many cough drops are high in sugar, which can lead to tooth decay and cavities, especially with frequent consumption. The sugar coats your teeth, providing food for bacteria that produce enamel-damaging acids.

No, in high amounts, menthol can actually irritate your vocal cords and potentially worsen your cough. It provides short-term soothing but is not always the best solution, especially for those who talk frequently.

Cough drops are often not recommended for young children due to the choking hazard they pose. Always check the package for age recommendations and consult a doctor if unsure.

Signs of overconsumption include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, or a rapid heart rate. If you experience these symptoms, stop using the cough drops immediately.

Yes, for a simple sore throat, a hard candy can often be just as effective as a cough drop. It works by stimulating saliva production, which helps coat and soothe the irritated throat, without the active medicinal ingredients.