What is the primary purpose of a lozenge or troche?

Lozenges and troches are designed to dissolve slowly in the mouth, releasing active ingredients that can have localized therapeutic effects, especially in the mouth or throat. This is particularly useful for soothing sore throats or for delivering medication that targets oral or pharyngeal tissues.

The formulation of lozenges allows for a sustained release of the medication, which can provide relief from irritation and discomfort in those areas. Ingredients may include analgesics, anesthetics, or other soothing agents aimed specifically at treating mouth or throat conditions.

Other methods of medication delivery, such as dissolving in water or transdermal absorption, do not pertain to the specific use of lozenges or troches, which are primarily about localized effects rather than systemic distribution or relief throughout the body.