Patent ID: 8367703

Claim:
A method of topically treating pain or discomfort associated with a sore throat in a human comprising orally administering a composition comprising an antacid selected from the group consisting of sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum salts, and combinations thereof, wherein the antacid provides from 10 to 40 meq. of antacid neutralizing capacity; a local, topical anesthetic selected from the group consisting of lidocaine, benzocaine, tetracaine, dyclonine, and combinations thereof; a sweetener; 0.5 to 30% by weight of one or more matrix-forming agents, and 0.5 to 30% by weight of one or more swellable polymers, to minimize the amount of erosion of the epithelial tissue of the patient and/or subsequent exposure of tissue underlying the epithelial tissue and exposed nerve endings to an acidic environment and providing a sustained release of said antacid, and wherein said composition slowly dissolves or disintegrates in the mouth.