EFFICACY OF LIGNOCAINE VS. LUBRICANT IN SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT OVER TIME

Objective: Effective symptom management is crucial in upper respiratory tract infections, characterized by symptoms like cough, sore throat, and hoarseness of voice. This study compares the efficacy of lignocaine, a local anesthetic and lubricant in managing these symptoms over time. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, prospective trial was conducted with 60 participants aged 20-70 years. Participants were divided into two groups: Group 1 (Lignocaine) and Group 2 (Lubricant). Data on symptom severity were collected at baseline (0 h), 1 h, and 6 h post-intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: At 0 h, significant differences were found in hoarseness of voice between the groups (p=0.024). At 1 h, lignocaine showed significant improvement in hoarseness (p=0.002). By 6 h, lignocaine significantly reduced cough (p=0.031) and sore throat (p=0.002) compared to the lubricant. Conclusion: Lignocaine was more effective than the lubricant in reducing symptoms, particularly hoarseness of voice and sore throat, over time. These findings support the use of lignocaine for acute symptom relief in upper respiratory tract infections.