Questions, answered plainly
Will I get antibiotics?
Only if you need them. Most sore throats are viral and antibiotics won't help — our pharmacist uses a recognised scoring system to decide.
Is the NHS service better?
For most people, yes — it's free. We'll always point you to the free NHS route first where you're eligible.
Can I still be treated if I'm allergic to penicillin?
Yes. Penicillin-allergic patients are not given phenoxymethylpenicillin; instead, our pharmacist can assess you for clarithromycin, a different antibiotic, under a separate patient group direction. Because clarithromycin interacts with several medicines, including some statins and warfarin, and carries a heart-rhythm caution, our pharmacist will check your medicines and any cardiac history first. If clarithromycin is not suitable, you will be referred to a prescriber.
Is this treatment safe with the medicines I already take?
Our pharmacist takes a full medication history before any supply. Phenoxymethylpenicillin is not supplied alongside methotrexate or probenecid, and if you take warfarin your INR may rise, so monitoring is advised. Clarithromycin has more interactions: it is not given with simvastatin, lovastatin or certain heart-rhythm medicines, and warfarin needs monitoring. If you take an interacting medicine, you will be referred to a prescriber instead.
How long will it take my sore throat to get better?
Most sore throats settle within about a week, whether or not an antibiotic is supplied. If you are supplied a course, complete it. Seek help if your symptoms worsen rapidly or do not improve within three to five days. Seek immediate help, by calling 999 or going to A&E, if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing saliva, drooling, or rapidly worsening one-sided throat swelling.
