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Get sore throat treatment online from a UK pharmacy. Complete a short consultation, with no GP appointment needed, and a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber will recommend what fits your symptoms. That may be Difflam spray or rinse to ease the pain, an antibiotic if a bacterial infection is likely, or simply self-care.
A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that’s often worse when you swallow. Most are caused by viruses and get better within a week without antibiotics.
The right treatment depends on the cause. For most people, the aim is to ease the pain while the throat heals: regular paracetamol or ibuprofen, plus a numbing anti-inflammatory spray or gargle such as Difflam sore throat spray. A smaller number of sore throats, including strep throat and some cases of tonsillitis, are caused by bacteria. If an infection is likely to be bacterial, an antibiotic may help. For a full explanation of causes and symptoms, see our sore throat guide.
UK guidance (NICE NG84) matches treatment to how likely a bacterial infection is. Prescribers use a short symptom score called FeverPAIN to decide. This is how they decide.
Usually viral, especially with a cough, runny nose or cold symptoms. Antibiotics won’t help. Paracetamol or ibuprofen, fluids and rest are the mainstay.
How to get rid of a sore throatBenzydamine numbs and reduces inflammation in the throat within minutes. It works for viral and bacterial sore throats. The spray is for ages 6 and over, the rinse for 12 and over.
Difflam oral rinseFever, pus or white patches on the tonsils, swollen tender glands, no cough and quick onset all raise the score. Phenoxymethylpenicillin is the first choice. Clarithromycin is used if you are allergic to penicillin.
Best antibiotic for a throat infectionA sore throat that doesn’t settle, or keeps returning, needs a face-to-face assessment.
Sore throat that won’t go awayThe right treatment depends on the cause and severity of your sore throat. Many people improve with simple over-the-counter relief such as lozenges, sprays and pain relief, while a pharmacy-only (P) anaesthetic spray can ease more troublesome pain. For a confirmed or suspected bacterial (infected) sore throat, a prescriber may recommend a prescription-only (POM) antibiotic. Prices below start with the most affordable, recommended first-line choice. We supply Difflam spray and oral rinse (pharmacy medicines) for sore throat pain, and antibiotics (prescription-only) for a likely bacterial infection. Each is supplied after an online consultation reviewed by a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber, who will tell you if you don’t need treatment. The price you see includes the consultation. Our guide to antibiotics for a sore throat explains when they help.
| Treatment | Type | Best for | From price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difflam Sore Throat Spray (benzydamine) | Pharmacy medicine (P) | Targeted pain relief on the go, ages 6+ | From £8.99 |
| Difflam Oral Rinse (benzydamine) | Pharmacy medicine (P) | Pain across the throat and mouth, ages 12+ | From £9.99 |
| Clarithromycin | Prescription-only (POM) antibiotic | Likely bacterial infection, if you are allergic to penicillin | From £14.99 |
| Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V) | Prescription-only (POM) antibiotic | Likely bacterial infection, if you can take penicillin | From £23.99 |
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
Online treatment isn’t suitable if you have any of the following. Get help straight away.
Our antibiotic service is for adults aged 18 and over. Difflam can be supplied from age 6 (spray) or 12 (rinse). It isn’t for emergencies.
You’ll be asked about your symptoms, how long you’ve had them, your temperature, any allergies and every medicine you take. Some medicines can’t be taken with clarithromycin, including simvastatin and some heart medicines, so this matters. If an antibiotic isn’t needed, the prescriber will say so and suggest what will help instead. Our guide to sore throat vs strep throat explains the signs prescribers look for.
In England, people aged 5 and over can often get sore throat advice and treatment free from a community pharmacy through the NHS Pharmacy First service, or from their GP. Choosing a private online consultation means no appointment, and treatment sent to your door.
Every order is dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy. If you get a side effect, tell your pharmacist or doctor. You can also report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
Our doctor-reviewed guides help you understand your symptoms, choose the right treatment and know what to expect.
Our full guide, from viral vs bacterial to warning signs.
Read guidePenicillin V, clarithromycin, and why not amoxicillin.
Read guideWhen antibiotics help, and why most people don’t need them.
Read guideHow prescribers tell them apart.
Read guideSymptoms, viral vs bacterial, and treatment.
Read guideSymptoms, treatment and complications.
Read guideDose, course length and how it works.
Read guideThe option if you are allergic to penicillin.
Read guideHow the spray and rinse work, and how to use them.
Read guideRemedies ranked by evidence.
Read guideCauses and when to worry.
Read guideBrowse all our sore throat guides.
Read guideAnswers to common questions about getting sore throat treatment online.
Yes. Complete a short online consultation and a GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescriber reviews your answers. If treatment is appropriate, it is dispensed by our UK pharmacy and sent in plain packaging. There’s no need for a GP appointment, and completing a consultation doesn’t guarantee treatment.
Usually not. Most sore throats are caused by a virus and get better within a week, and antibiotics don’t help viral infections. An antibiotic is more likely to help if you have a fever, pus or white patches on your tonsils, swollen tender glands and no cough. A prescriber uses these signs to decide.
In the UK, phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V) is the first-choice antibiotic for a bacterial sore throat or tonsillitis. Clarithromycin is used if you are allergic to penicillin. Amoxicillin isn’t usually first choice, partly because it can cause a rash if the cause is glandular fever. Our guide to the best antibiotic for a throat infection explains more.
Difflam spray starts from £8.99 and antibiotics from £14.99, and the price includes your online consultation. You see the price of each treatment before you pay, and you are only charged if a treatment is supplied.
Orders approved before 3pm, Monday to Friday, are dispatched the same day in plain packaging, and you choose the delivery speed at checkout. Royal Mail Tracked 48 and Tracked 24 aim to arrive within two or one working days, and Special Delivery is guaranteed by 1pm the next working day.
Yes. Difflam works locally in the throat and can be used alongside paracetamol or ibuprofen at their usual doses. Don’t use Difflam for more than 7 days in a row unless a pharmacist or prescriber advises it. Speak to a pharmacist first if you have asthma or are sensitive to aspirin or other anti-inflammatory painkillers.
Often, yes. In England, people aged 5 and over can get sore throat advice and treatment from a community pharmacy through the NHS Pharmacy First service, or from their GP. Our online service is an alternative if you’d rather not wait for an appointment.
Helpful reads related to this treatment area.
Answer a few questions about your symptoms, and a UK prescriber will recommend a suitable option. You only pay if a treatment is supplied.
