How to Choose Low FODMAP Throat Lozenges

If you’re living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and following the low FODMAP diet, you know how tricky it can be to find the right products that won’t trigger your symptoms. When you have a sore throat, finding a low FODMAP throat lozenge can feel like a challenge as they commonly contain high FODMAP ingredients. But don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for tips on how to choose low FODMAP throat lozenges, as well as brand recommendations.

Please note that this article contains recommendations for low FODMAP throat lozenges. This article is for educational purposes and should not be regarded as medical advice or replace the advice of your doctor, dietitian or pharmacist.

This article will cover:

• Tips for choosing low FODMAP throat lozenges
• Low FODMAP brand recommendations for throat lozenges
• Note on illnesses and their impact on gut symptoms
• Final thoughts

Tips for choosing low FODMAP throat lozenges

These simple tips can help you find a low FODMAP throat lozenge that is less likely to trigger your gut symptoms.

1. Look for Sucrose or Glucose-Sweetened Lozenges

When selecting a throat lozenge, look for options that are sweetened with sucrose (table sugar) or glucose. These are both considered low FODMAP sweeteners and are often well tolerated by people with gut issues, unlike some sugar alternatives.

2. Avoid Sugar-Free Options with Polyol-Based Sweeteners

Many sugar-free throat lozenges are sweetened with polyols such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, isomalt, and erythritol. Unfortunately, these sweeteners are high FODMAP and can lead to bloating, gas, and other digestive discomforts. While sugar-free products might seem like a healthier option, they can be a hidden source of FODMAPs. If you are in the first phase of the low FODMAP diet, steer clear of polyol-based sweeteners when choosing your throat lozenges.

3. Be Careful with Honey in Throat Lozenges

Honey might seem like a natural, soothing option for a sore throat, and it does have a small low FODMAP serving size. However, the amount of honey in throat lozenges can vary greatly between brands, making it difficult to know whether you’re staying within a low FODMAP serving. Additionally, if you end up having a couple of lozenges close together, the amount of combined honey in the lozenges could push you over the FODMAP recommendation. That means if you’re unsure about your tolerance to honey, we’d suggest avoiding honey-based lozenges, especially if you are in the first phase of the low FODMAP Diet.

4. Skip Lozenge Options with High Fructose Corn Syrup

Another ingredient to avoid is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). It’s sometimes found in throat lozenges and can cause digestive issues for some people with IBS.

5. Avoid high FODMAP flavours

Lozenges come in all sorts of flavours. If you are in the first phase of the diet, then we’d suggest avoiding blackcurrant, cherry and honey flavoured lozenges. These flavours are derived from high FODMAP foods and without laboratory testing it’s hard to know what FODMAP levels will be in lozenges using these flavours.

Low FODMAP Brand Recommendations for Throat Lozenges

Please note that manufacturers can change the ingredients of their products at any time. Make sure you check the label before purchasing. The products listed below are low FODMAP options we found while researching this article – they are not sponsored products or affiliate products.

Australia

Codral Sore Throat Lozenges Antibacterial + Anaesthetic Lime & Lemon Flavour

Sweeteners: Glucose and Sucrose

Strepsils Orange Flavour

Sweeteners: Glucose and Sucrose

Strepsils Anaesthetic

Sweeteners: Sucrose; Glucose & Saccharin

Vicks VapoDrops Butter Menthol

Sweeteners: Glucose liquid and Sucrose

Vicks VapoDrops Immune Support Orange

Sweeteners: Sugars and Sucralose

Canada

Fisherman’s Friend Original Extra Strong

Ingredients: sugar, liquorice powder, dextrin, tragacanth, capsicum tincture

Halls Relief Extra Strong Menthol

Ingredients: menthol, eucalyptus, citric acid, blue no.1, flavors (mint & peppermint), glucose syrup, gum arabic, potassium citrate, soy lecithin, sugar

Halls Mentho-Lyptus Regular

Ingredients: menthol, eucalyptus, citric acid, blue no.1, flavors (mint & peppermint), glucose syrup, gum arabic, potassium citrate, soy lecithin, sugar

Cepacol Sensations Sore Throat & Blocked Nose

Ingredients: tartaric acid, eucalyptus oil, acid blue 74, sucrose, glucose

Vicks VapoCOOL Max Medicated Drops

Ingredients: Menthol 20 Mg, Blue 1, Corn Syrup, Flavours Including Eucalyptol, Glycerin, Gum Arabic, Potassium Sorbate, Sucrose, Water

New Zealand

Codral – Duo Relief Sore Throat Lozenges Lemon & Lime Flavour

Sweeteners: Glucose and Sucrose

Strepsils Orange Flavour

Sweeteners: Glucose and Sucrose

Strepsils Anaesthetic

Sweeteners: Sucrose; Glucose & Saccharin

Nestle Soothers Liquid Centres Lemon Lime Flavour 

Sweeteners: Sugar

Vicks VapoDrops Butter Menthol

Sweeteners: Glucose liquid and Sucrose

United Kingdom

Fisherman’s Friend Original  Menthol & Eucalyptus Flavour

Ingredients: Sugar. Flavourings: Liquorice Extract, Menthol, Eucalyptus Oil, Capsicum Tincture. Dextrin. Thickener: Gum Tragacanth

Jakemans Lozenges Throat & Chest

Ingredients: Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Menthol Crystals, Aniseed Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Flavouring, Colour (Vegetable Carbon)

Strepsils Orange With Vitamin C

Sweeteners: Glucose and Sucrose

Strepsils Original Lozenges

Sweeteners: Glucose and Sucrose

Strepsils Sore Throat & Cough Lozenges

Sweeteners: Glucose and Sucrose

United States

Halls Throat Soothing Strawberry Cream

Ingredients: beta carotene, citric acid, FD & C blue 2, FD# C red 40, flavors, glucose syrup, lactic acid, malic acid, potassium citrate, sodium chloride, soy lecithin, sucrose, titanium dioxide, water

Jackman’s Throat & Chest Peppermint

Ingredients:  glucose syrup, peppermint oil, flavoring (sugar), water

Halls Relief Mentho-Lyptus Cough & Throat Relief Drops

 Ingredients: citric acid, eucalyptus oil, FD&C blue 1, FD&C red40, flavors, glucose syrup, potassium citrate, soy lecithin, sucrose, water

Mucinex Instasoothe Sore Throat + Cough Relief

Ingredients: corn syrup, D&C yellow no. 10, ethyl lactate, FD&C blue no. 1, flavor, proplene glycol, purified water, sucrose

Fisherman’s Friend Cough Suppressant & Sore Throat Lozenges, Original Extra Strong, Menthol

Ingredients: capsicum, dextrin, eucalyptus oil, natural liquorice, sugar, tragacanth

Bactimicina® Sore Throat Pain Relief Max Strength Lozenges Orange Flavour

Ingredients: dextrose, FD&C yellow #6, FD&C red #40, glucose, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, mono and diglycerides, natural and artificial flavor, propylene glycol, sucrose

Keep in Mind That Illness Can Increase Gut Symptoms

When you’re unwell with a sore throat or cold, it’s common for your gut symptoms to flare up as well. Viruses can affect not only your respiratory system but also your gut and can cause bloating, cramps, excess gas, diarrhoea, or constipation. So, even if you choose the right lozenges, your IBS symptoms might still be more pronounced while you are sick. Once the virus passes through your body, your gut symptoms should settle and return to your normal baseline.

Other Helpful Articles

If you’re feeling unwell, then you might find these articles useful too:

Surviving a Head Cold while on the Low FODMAP Diet

Easy Low FODMAP Food Ideas When You Have A Cold or Flu

7 Ways to Improve Your Gut Health After Antibiotics

Final Thoughts

We know how challenging it can be to manage IBS while balancing other health issues like a sore throat. Choosing a low FODMAP throat lozenge option can help soothe your throat while minimising your gut symptoms. If you are unsure about what throat lozenge is right for you, then please talk to your pharmacist or dietitian. We hope you feel much better soon!