Difflam spray

What is Difflam spray?

Difflam spray is a type of medication known as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (or NSAID). This basically means that it reduces inflammation, and doesn’t contain a steroid. You use it throughout the day to help with your symptoms, and it’s usually prescribed for conditions that affect the back of your mouth and throat, like sore throat and tonsillitis. For conditions like mouth ulcers you might be prescribed the mouthwash version of Difflam.

Tonsillitis is an infection of your tonsils at the back of your throat. It’s most common in children and teenagers but it can affect adults, too. It will make your tonsils become red and inflamed, and give you a sore throat as well as some cold or flu-like symptoms. But sore throat is quite a common symptom of some other conditions, as well. It can also be caused by cold or flu, laryngitis, or other factors like smoking or shouting too loudly.

How does Difflam spray work?

When you spray Difflam into the back of your throat, it gets to work by reducing the pain and inflammation of the area. It’s able to do this because its NSAID active ingredient, benzydamine, reduces the hormones that cause swelling and inflammation in your body.

But because you use it in your mouth it will only work in that area, so it won’t work to help you with any pain or inflammation in other areas of your body.

What doses of Difflam spray are there?

Difflam spray is only available in one dose: 0.15% w/v (weight by volume), but you might need to vary how much of it you use per day based on your symptoms. If you’re using it as much as you should per day and it’s still not working correctly, speak to our clinician. You might need to try a different treatment.

How to use Difflam spray

You should always use Difflam spray as prescribed by your clinician.

For adults, you can take four to eight puffs every one and a half to three hours. Children under twelve can take four puffs every one and a half to three hours and children under six can take one puff for every four kilograms that they weigh, every one and a half to three hours (but no more than four puffs).

To use Difflam spray:

• Hold the bottle in an upright position;
• Lift the spray tube until it’s horizontal;
• When you’re using it for the first time, press down firmly on the green plunger until a fine spray comes out;
• Aim the spray at the back of your throat and press down on the green plunger, which will release one puff of spray;
• Continue to press down on the plunger until you’ve released your prescribed dose of puffs;
• Once you’ve finished, wipe down the end of the tube with a tissue to stop it from becoming blocked;
• Push the spray tube back down to its original, vertical position.

How long does it take Difflam spray to work?

Your symptoms should start to improve within a few minutes, and the effect should last for a few hours. If your symptoms remain after you’ve used the treatment for seven days then let our clinician know.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Difflam spray?

If you take too much or accidentally swallow large amounts of Difflam, contact a clinician straight away for advice.

Don’t worry if you forget your dose of Difflam. Just take it when you remember, and don’t double up on doses to make up for missed ones.