Steroids Might Relieve Sore Throat Pain

Steroids Might Relieve Sore Throat Pain
Journal Watch
August 28, 2009

A meta-analysis shows that a single dose of steroids, given in addition to standard antibiotics, hastens resolution of pain in adults with exudative pharyngitis or bacterial pharyngitis. There are many over-the-counter drugs that do the same thing (relieve sore throat pain).

Having doctors prescribe steroids as a one time dose will just increase medical costs, might lead to prolonged use of steroids in some patients, and certainly sore throats can be treated successfully and without pain, without steroids.