Extra Special? (Strepsils Extra)

Member Name: jwebb5

Product:	Strepsils Extra
Date:	30/01/09 (64 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very good pain reduction, soothing, nice packaging, physchological benefits

Disadvantages: Not a brilliant taste - a little weak

Buying medicine for a sore throat is never usually pleasant, simply because of the way you feel at the time. Unfortunately, unless you're incredibly lucky, chances are it's a purchase you're going to have to make at least once annually. It's also kinda important, because you want the best available, just to make the tearing pain go away.

Recently, it seemed it was my turn to feel the full force of the annual cold / sore throat, so I popped out in search of something to cure the agony. The nearest store didn't have any Soothers, my usual port of call. Partially due to the pain, and partially due to my lack of patience, I decided to try something else, and ended up going home with a box of blackcurrant Strepsils Extra.

The first thing I noticed about them was the size - they're pretty big lozenges, certainly compared to other cough sweets. I think this is a good thing, because they last longer, so, at least in my mind, are bound to have more effect. I'm not sure whether there's any evidence to back up this link, but it's a nice little phsychological effect.

The lozenges are pretty average on the taste side of things. I much prefer Soothers, and these are a little dull for me. The blackcurrant just isn't quite strong enough, and they lose their taste relatively quickly, which isn't a great plus point, especially because they last a little longer than most sweets. It's not that they taste disgusting, more just that they're a little weak and bland. If you find most cough sweets on the overpowering side, these are probably going to be great for you. Personally though, not a great start.

However, thankfully things pick up once the lozenge is gone. The box tells me that Strepsils Extra are a mixture of Anaesthetic and Antiseptic - the first to dull the pain, the second to help fight off the infection. On this note, the antiseptic is probably going to be a little hard to meaure, because it depends on the strength of the infection, and any other medicine taken. While I can't really comment on their Antiseptic side, the Aneasthetic part of the lozenge is very good. You can feel the effect pretty quickly - I'd say less than 15 minutes after taking the lozenge. There is a noticeable dulling of the pain, and talking becomes less painful for a short while. It lasts a fair while too, provided you're not a real chatterbox - at least half an hour, sometimes a full 60 minutes.

The only other thing of note is the packaging. Unlike most lozenges, which come in sweet-style tubes, Strepsils are packed in small cardboard boxes, in the same little trays as tablets. I think, like the size, this is actually designed to be a phsycological benefit - they look like professional, heavy duty cough sweets, so you feel reassured, and as if they are doing a good job. I like the way Strepsils seem to have put thought into this; thinking you feel better is half the battle.

So, while the taste may not be anything groundbreaking, at least for most, the calming, pain reducing aspect is up there with the very best on the market. I was very impressed with the improvement in the way I felt, and my throat was definitely less sore for a relatively long period. This side of the lozenge is equal to, and probably better, than most cough sweets, including Soothers. The packaging is also nice, if a little less handbag-friendly. In fact, the only downside I can think of is the slightly weak taste, but ultimately, not a deal breaker. In short, I like Strepsils Extra, and will happily pick them up next year.

Summary: Great, soothing throat sweets, but with a disappointing taste