Ricola Products for Cough and Sore Throat

Written by Ami Ishver, PharmD
Medically Reviewed by Laurel Riemann, PharmD on November 07, 2025
4 min read

Ricola products can be used to help soothe a sore throat, throat irritation, or minor mouth irritation or pain. Some Ricola products can also help relieve a cough or irritated nasal passages from a cold or irritants that you inhale.

A Ricola product may be able to help with many things that can cause a cough, mouth, nose, or throat irritation, or minor sore throat or mouth pain. Some of these things are listed below.

  • Infections caused by bacteria or viruses
  • Allergies
  • Dry air
  • Exposure to smoke or air pollution

Ricola products are generally safe to use. Side effects may vary depending on the ingredients in the specific product you are using.

Taking too much of certain sugar-free Ricola products may cause diarrhea. Do not take more than the recommended amount of Ricola.

Stop taking the product if you develop a rash or hives. Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat.

Do not bite or chew Ricola lozenges. Ricola lozenges are meant to be dissolved in your mouth. Adults and children 6 years or older can take Ricola. If your child is taking a Ricola product, it is important that they do not lie down or run around with a lozenge in their mouth. This can increase their risk of choking.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your health care provider before taking a Ricola product.

Ricola products can be gluten-free, lactose-free, alcohol-free, halal, kosher, or vegan. Read the label on the specific product you are using to learn more.

It is important to protect Ricola products from heat and moisture. Ricola drops may sometimes change color or develop a white layer after the pack has been opened, due to exposure to air or high humidity. This can cause the natural sugars in the drops to crystallize. This is normal and harmless. The drops are safe to take before their expiration date if they are stored properly.

Stop taking Ricola and talk to your health care provider if you have any of the following. 

  • A sore throat that is severe, lasts more than two days, or happens with a fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting
  • A sore mouth that does not get better in seven days
  • Irritation, pain, or redness of the mouth or throat that does not go away or gets worse

Ricola Products for Cough. If you are taking a Ricola product to help with your cough, talk to your health care provider before you take the product. Ricola products may not be the right choice for your cough. For example, you may need to see a doctor if you have a cough with too much mucus, a long-term cough, or a cough that won’t go away, such as a cough that can happen with smoking, asthma, or emphysema. Stop taking a Ricola product for cough if your cough lasts for more than seven days (one week), goes away, and comes back again or you get a fever, rash, or headache that keeps coming back. These may be signs of a more serious condition.

There may be side effects, additional warnings, and interactions with other medicines that are not listed here. These may vary depending on the combination of ingredients in the specific Ricola product you are using. Always check the label before taking any over-the-counter medicine. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your health conditions and other medicines to help determine which products are safe for you.

Ricola products contain herbs. Some products only contain them, while other products also contain medicine. Carefully select which Ricola product is best for you based on your needs and symptoms. 

Ricola lozenges are used to help treat a sore mouth and sore throat. Most Ricola products contain a medicine called menthol. Some Ricola products contain more menthol, which might help with a cough or soothe nasal passages. 

Some Ricola products do not contain menthol. Some may only contain herbs or pectin. Pectin may help soothe an irritated mouth or throat by providing a protective coating. 

Sugar-free products 

Products for cough/sore throat or mouth

Ricola Swiss Alpine Herbs Original Herb: menthol (4.8 mg)

Ricola Swiss Alpine Herb: menthol (4.8 mg)

Products for sore throat or mouth

Ricola Sugar Free Lemon Mint: menthol (1.1 mg)

  • Sweetened with aspartame

Soothing herbal drops

Ricola Lemon Mint: no active ingredient

  • Sweetened with aspartame 

Ricola Berry Medley: no active ingredient

Sugar-containing products

Products for cough, sore throat, or sore mouth

Ricola Max Nasal Care: menthol (15.3 mg) 

Ricola Max Throat Care: menthol (8.3 mg) 

Ricola Original Herb: menthol (5.5 mg)

Ricola Original Herb: menthol (4.8 mg)

Ricola Swiss Alpine Herbs Honey Lemon Echinacea: menthol (3.5 mg)

Ricola Swiss Alpine Herbs Honey Herb: menthol (2 mg)

Products for sore throat or mouth

Ricola Throat Balm: pectin

Ricola Swiss Alpine Herbs Berry Medley: menthol (1.7 mg)

Ricola Cherry: menthol (1.4 mg)

Ricola Cherry: menthol (1.3 mg)