Should I take Pudilan or Lianhua Qingwen for a sore throat?

Generally, when sore throat is accompanied by redness, swelling, and mild inflammation in the throat, either Pudilan or Lianhua Qingwen can help alleviate symptoms. However, if symptoms are severe or accompanied by fever, these two medications alone may not be sufficient. If in doubt, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional in advance. Detailed analysis is as follows:

When sore throat symptoms are mild—mainly presenting as dryness, slight redness and swelling in the throat, and mild discomfort during swallowing—without other symptoms such as fever or cough, both Pudilan and Lianhua Qingwen can provide some relief. Pudilan primarily targets local throat inflammation, while Lianhua Qingwen not only relieves sore throat but also helps with mild external infection symptoms such as cold discomfort; the choice can be based on individual symptoms.

However, if the sore throat is severe, with obvious difficulty swallowing, intense throat pain, or accompanied by fever, cough, or phlegm production, using only Pudilan or Lianhua Qingwen may not effectively control the condition. These cases are often associated with more serious infections and require medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and receive targeted treatment under a doctor’s guidance, to avoid delaying recovery.

During episodes of sore throat, it is important to drink plenty of warm water and avoid spicy or irritating foods. If symptoms do not improve or worsen after three days of medication use, prompt medical attention is advised—do not arbitrarily add or change medications on your own.