Magic Mouthwash: Ingredients, Uses & Effectiveness

Magic mouthwash is the name of a substance that is usually mixed by a pharmacist and is used to treat ulcers that may occur in the throat of a patient. The substance may contain a number of items, depending upon what the doctor has prescribed.

Usage

• Magic mouthwash is generally swished in the throat and then spat out. This allows the ingredients to coat the ulcers in the throat area.

Efficacy

• Magic mouthwash is effective for about six hours. Patients are instructed to use this mixture about every four to six hours.

Indications

• Patients who have pharyngitis, apthous ulcers and herpes labialis or gingivostomatitis (sometimes as a result of chemotherapy) are prescribed magic mouthwash.

Liquid Version

• Maalox® or Mylanta® is an ingredient to coat the throat; lidocaine is a topical anesthetic that numbs pain and diphenhydramine reduces swelling.

Solid Version

• The solid version is applied directly to the ulcer and contains a mixture of carafate, which works to neutralize stomach acid, diphenhydramine and Mylanta.