Is Original Extra Strong Menthol Cough Suppressant/oral Anesthetic 20 Lozenges Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When investigating whether a cough suppressant is truly vegan, we have to look past the obvious and into the processing aids. The ingredient list for Original Extra Strong Menthol Cough Suppressant/oral Anesthetic 20 Lozenges is surprisingly short, but it contains a few items that require a closer look.

First, the binders: glucose syrup, sucrose, and dextrin. These are all carbohydrate-based and typically derived from corn or wheat. In isolation, these are 100% plant-based. However, the sucrose (table sugar) is the primary flag here. In many countries, white sugar is processed using bone char—charred animal bones—to filter and bleach the sugar crystals. Unless the manufacturer explicitly states the sugar is organic or unrefined, strict vegans often avoid it.

Next, the active and flavor components: eucalyptus oil, natural licorice, and tragacanth. Eucalyptus oil is purely botanical. Licorice is a root extract, and tragacanth is a gum derived from the sap of Astragalus plants. None of these present animal-derived issues. Therefore, the only ethical hurdle remains the ambiguous sourcing of the sucrose.

Nutritional Value

While we focus on vegan status, it is worth noting the nutritional profile of these lozenges. The base ingredients are essentially glucose syrup and sucrose, meaning these are high-sugar candies designed to coat the throat.

Because they are composed largely of sugars, they are high in calories relative to their size and offer no significant vitamins, minerals, or fiber. They are not intended as a health food, but rather a functional remedy. For those monitoring sugar intake or following a low-carb diet, these lozenges would likely be considered a 'cheat' item due to the rapid spike in blood glucose they will cause.