Vorja 5 mg/1 mg Vicks combines chlorhexidine and lidocaine to relieve sore throats in children 6 years and older. Box of 24 tablets to be allowed to dissolve in the mouth, for up to 3 days.
For warnings, precautions, and contraindications, please refer to the package insert.
Vorja 5 mg/1 mg is a medication in the form of lozenges used to relieve sore throats. It is intended for adults, adolescents, and children 6 years of age and older. Each lozenge combines the antiseptic chlorhexidine with the local anesthetic lidocaine.
If you have a sore throat accompanied by a stuffy nose, you can supplement your treatment with Vicks VapoRub Ointment, 100 g Family Size Jar, which should be applied to the chest or neck for its decongestant effect, following the instructions on the package insert.
Lidocaine locally reduces pain sensitivity. To avoid choking or burns from hot food or drinks, wait at least 30 minutes between taking the lozenge and eating or drinking. Do not take during meals.
Also wait at least 30 minutes after brushing your teeth before sucking on the lozenge. Gently moving it around in your mouth helps limit prolonged exposure to the same area.
Allow the lozenge to dissolve slowly in the mouth. Do not use for more than 3 days.
Each tablet contains 1.2 g of sorbitol. Do not take if you have hereditary fructose intolerance. Sorbitol may cause digestive discomfort or have a mild laxative effect.
Stop taking the medication and seek urgent medical help in case of swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, or a severe allergic reaction. Changes in taste or discoloration of the teeth and tongue may occur. Consult a healthcare provider if you have a high fever, if symptoms worsen, or if there is no improvement after 3 days. Read the package insert and keep out of reach of children.
The active ingredient is:
chlorhexidine dihydrochloride ............................................ 5 mg
lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate ............................... 1 mg
Per lozenge.
Equivalent to:
chlorhexidine ........................................................................ 4.37 mg
lidocaine ............................................................................... 0.81 mg
Per lozenge.
The other ingredients are:
Box of 24 lozenges in menthol, honey, or lemon flavors. Store at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C.
Pharmacovigilance Report an adverse drug reaction(s)
ANSM - Updated on: August 18, 2025
VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge
Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride/Lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate
You should always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
· Keep this package insert. You may need to read it again.
· Ask your pharmacist for advice or information.
· If you experience any side effects, tell your doctor or pharmacist. This also applies to any side effects not listed in this leaflet. See Section 4.
· You should contact your doctor if you do not feel any improvement or if you feel worse after 3 days.
What is in this package insert?
1. What is VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge, and what is it used for?
2. What you should know before taking VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge
3. How should you take VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge?
4. What are the possible side effects?
5. How should you store VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge?
6. Package contents and other information.
1. WHAT IS VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge, AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR?
Pharmacotherapeutic class: Throat preparations, antiseptics (in combination with anesthetics) ATC code: R02AA05
VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge is used in adults, adolescents, and children over 6 years of age to treat symptoms of a sore throat.
You should consult your doctor if you do not feel any improvement or if you feel worse after 3 days.
Never take VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge:
· If you are allergic to chlorhexidine, lidocaine, other anesthetics similar to lidocaine, or any other ingredient in this medicine (listed in Section 6).
· In children under 6 years of age.
Warnings and Precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge.
· If you have congestive heart failure.
· If your liver is not functioning properly.
· If you are taking medications to treat heart rhythm disorders (antiarrhythmics).
· If you have ever had severe allergic reactions.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if your condition does not improve within 3 days of treatment while using VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge, or if you have a high fever.
VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge, should not be taken less than 30 minutes before or during a meal or while drinking a beverage due to the risk of choking and localized burns caused by food orhot beverages, due to numbness in the throat and tongue.
This medication should be used with caution in patients with damaged oral mucosa.
Children
VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge, should not be taken by children under 6 years of age.
Other Medications and VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medications.
VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge contains lidocaine; be sure to inform them, especially if you are taking:
· neuromuscular blockers (used, for example, during anesthesia),
· neuromuscular blockers (used, for example, during anesthesia),
· a medication to treat sudden and severe allergic reactions (epinephrine),
· strong pain relievers (opioids),
· beta-blockers (used for high blood pressure and certain heart conditions),
· cimetidine (a medication that reduces the amount of acid in your stomach, used, for example, to treat heartburn),
· mexiletine and other antiarrhythmic medications.
VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge with food, beverages, and alcohol
Not applicable.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you think you might be pregnant, or if you are planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication.
Taking VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, a sorbitol-sweetened lozenge, may be considered during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, if necessary.
Driving and Operating Machinery
This medication has no or negligible effect on the ability to drive or operate machinery.
VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge contains sorbitol
This medication contains 1.2 g of sorbitol per lozenge. Sorbitol is a source of fructose. If your doctor has told you that you (or your child) have an intolerance to certain sugars or if you have been diagnosed with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI), a rare genetic disorder characterized by the inability to break down fructose, talk to your doctor before you (or your child) take or receive this medication. Sorbitol may cause gastrointestinal discomfort and have a mild laxative effect.
3. HOW TO TAKE VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge?
Adults and adolescents over 12 years of age
The recommended dose is one lozenge 6 to 10 times a day.
The maximum dose is 10 lozenges per 24 hours.
Children 6 to 12 years of age
The recommended dose is one lozenge 3 to 5 times a day.
The maximum dose is 5 lozenges per 24 hours.
Children under 6 years of age
Do not give this medication to children under 6 years of age.
Directions for Use
For oral use. Allow the lozenge to dissolve slowly in the mouth.
To avoid local irritation, move the VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge around in your mouth while sucking on it.
VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge, should not be taken within 30 minutes before or during a meal or while drinking a beverage due to the risk of choking and localized burning caused by food/hot beverages, due to numbness of the throat and tongue.
This medication is not compatible with certain substances commonly found in toothpaste. You should therefore wait at least half an hour after brushing your teeth before taking this medication.
Do not take VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge, for more than 3 consecutive days.
Consult your doctor if you do not feel better, if you feel worse, or if you have a high fever while taking VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge.
If you have taken more VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenges than you should have
Overdoses (more than 20 lozenges per day) may cause difficulty swallowing (reduced swallowing reflex).
Other symptoms of chlorhexidine overdose may include: swelling of the airways, vomiting, intense joy (euphoria), blurred vision, and loss of taste (which may last several hours), esophageal, gastric, and/or duodenal ulcers, and elevated liver enzyme levels (which can only be determined by a blood test).
Other symptoms of lidocaine overdose may include: headaches, paranoia, hallucinations, dizziness, vertigo, drowsiness, agitation, ringing in the ears, unpleasant sensations on the skin (e.g., cramps, tingling), speech or hearing difficulties, a metallic taste, numbness around the mouth, acidosis (with symptoms such as rapid breathing, confusion, and fatigue), blurred vision, involuntary rhythmic eye movements, muscle contractions, psychosis, spasms, respiratory arrest, epileptic coma, decreased level of consciousness, sudden drop in blood pressure, slow heart rate, heart rhythm disturbances, and cardiac arrest.
If you (or your child) experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
If you forget to take VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge
If you stop taking VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge
Not applicable.
If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
4. WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS?
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital:
· Severe allergic reactions (rare, affecting up to 1 in 1,000 people), identified, for example, by:
o Swelling of the arms, legs, ankles, face, or eyes.
o Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing.
o Dizziness or fainting (loss of consciousness).
· Itchy rashes spreading over the body (hives) (Very rare, affecting up to 1 in 10,000 people).
Other possible side effects
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
· Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
· Allergic skin reactions.
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
· Localized itchy rash following contact with the medication.
Frequency unknown (frequency cannot be estimated based on available data)
· Hypersensitivity to sunlight (delayed) or other reactions affecting the skin or teeth.
· Anxiety, agitation, intense joy (euphoria).
· Drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation, confusion (including slurred speech), lightheadedness, tremors, psychosis, nervousness, tingling, numbness, spasms, loss of consciousness, coma.
· Vision problems (blurred or double vision).
· Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
· Asthma, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), rapid and shallow breathing progressing to dizziness and blue discoloration of the skin (respiratory distress and depression), sudden inability to breathe (respiratory arrest).
· Difficulty swallowing, mouth ulcers, or skin rashes in the mouth.
· Peeling of the skin inside the mouth, swelling of the salivary glands.
· Muscle contractions or twitching (tremors).
· General weakness and lack of energy (asthenia), temporary changes in taste or a burning sensation on the tongue, feeling of cold or heat in the mouth.
Reporting Side Effects
If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This also applies to any side effects not listed in this package insert. You can also report adverse effects directly through the national reporting system: National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) and the network of Regional Pharmacovigilance Centers—Website: https://signalement.social-sante.gouv.fr/
By reporting side effects, you help provide more information on the safety of this medication.
5. HOW SHOULD VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge, be stored?
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date printed on the blister pack or box after “EXP.” The expiration date refers to the last day of that month.
Store at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C.
Do not dispose of any medication down the drain or with household trash . Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. PACKAGE CONTENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION
What VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge contains
· The active ingredients are chlorhexidine dihydrochloride and lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate.
Each lozenge contains 5 mg of chlorhexidine dihydrochloride (equivalent to 4.37 mg of chlorhexidine) and 1 mg of lidocaine hydrochloride monohydrate (equivalent to 0.81 mg of lidocaine).
· The other ingredients are: sorbitol (E420), magnesium stearate (E572), anhydrous citric acid (E330), levomenthol.
What is VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge, and contents of the outer packaging
VORJA MENTHOL 5 mg/1 mg, sorbitol-sweetened lozenge, is a round, white or nearly white tablet with slight mottling, approximately 16 mm in diameter and 5 mm thick.
They are available in blister packs or pre-cut single-dose blister packs made of (aluminum-PVC/PCTFE) or (aluminum-PVC/PE/PVDC), in boxes of 12, 24, or 36 lozenges. Not all presentations may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder
163-165 Quai Aulagnier
92600 Asnière-sur-Seine
France
Marketing Authorization Holder
P&G Health France
18C, Boulevard Winston Churchill
21000 DIJON
France
Rijksweg 9
2880 Bornem
Belgium
Names of the drug in the Member States of the European Economic Area
This drug is authorized in the member states of the European Economic Area under the following names: In accordance with current regulations.
[To be completed later by the marketing authorization holder]
The date this package insert was last revised is:
[To be completed later by the marketing authorization holder]
< {MM/YYYY}>< {month YYYY}.>
Detailed information about this medication is available on the ANSM (France) website.
This medication combines an antiseptic (chlorhexidine) with a local anesthetic (lidocaine), which has a pain-relieving effect.
It is used for mild sore throats.
The prices listed do not include the pharmacist’s “dispensing fee.”
| per lemon-flavored lozenge | p menthol lozenge | p Honey lozenge | |
| Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride | 5 mg | 5 mg | 5 mg |
| Lidocaine hydrochloride | 1 mg | 1 mg | 1 mg |
| Benzyl alcohol | + | ||
| Aspartame | + | ||
| Sorbitol | + | + | + |
| Sulfites | + |
If you have a fever, difficulty swallowing, or symptoms that persist after 3 days, consult your doctor. He or she will be able to distinguish between pharyngitis and strep throat. In the case of bacterial tonsillitis, antibiotic treatment is necessary to prevent future complications, such as heart or kidney problems.
Prolonged use of local antiseptic treatments (gargles, mouthwashes, lozenges) is not recommended; it can alter the natural microbial balance of the throat.
Excessive use could cause the local anesthetic to enter the bloodstream and lead to nervous system and heart problems: follow the recommended dosage.
It is generally unnecessary to combine different antiseptics. These may be found in many over-the-counter products, such as lozenges, mouthwashes, and nasal sprays; ask your pharmacist for advice.
The effects of this medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding are not well understood. The potential risk associated with its use must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis: consult your pharmacist or doctor.
Allow the tablets to dissolve slowly in the mouth without chewing them, between meals. It is recommended to move the tablet around in your mouth while sucking on it. Doses should be spread out throughout the day and taken at least 2 hours apart.
Treatment should not exceed 3 days.
Avoid taking this medication within 30 minutes before eating or drinking: the local anesthetic may cause difficulty swallowing, which could lead to food entering the airways.
Wait at least half an hour after brushing your teeth before taking this medication.
This medication may be available over the counter (or without a prescription) at some pharmacies; in this case, have your pharmacist verify your selection.
Common (1 to 10% of people): skin allergy, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
Rare (fewer than 1 in 1,000 people): severe allergic reaction.
Frequency unknown: difficulty swallowing, temporary changes in taste and smell, canker sores, peeling of the oral mucosa, swelling of the parotid gland, sensation of heat or cold in the mouth, anxiety, agitation, euphoria, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, vertigo, nervousness, tingling, numbness, seizures, malaise, coma, vision problems, ringing in the ears, asthma, difficulty breathing, tremors, muscle contractions, fatigue.
A general term referring to a family of substances that can be mixed with both water and fats. The most common alcohol is ethyl alcohol (ethanol), but there are many other types of alcohol: methanol, butanol, etc. The proof of an alcoholic solution corresponds to the volume of pure alcohol present in 100 ml of the solution, noting that 1 wine glass or half a glass of beer (25 cl) contains approximately 8 g of alcohol.
When alcohol is used as an antiseptic, a denaturant with an unpleasant odor is often added to prevent it from being drunk. Contrary to popular belief, 70° alcohol (or even 60° alcohol) is a better antiseptic than 90° alcohol.
See the article: Alcohol Dependence
A skin reaction (itching, hives, swelling) or general malaise that occurs after contact with a specific substance, the use of a medication, or the ingestion of a food. The main forms of allergy are eczema, hives, asthma, angioedema, and anaphylactic shock. Food allergies can also cause digestive problems.
A negative change from a normal state; deterioration.
A drug that induces anesthesia. In addition to general anesthetics, which are used to put patients to sleep before surgery, there are local anesthetics, which can be injected near a nerve to numb a specific area of the body. Local anesthetics are also called contact anesthetics.
A painful infection of the pharynx (throat) and tonsils that causes a fever. Most cases of angina are caused by viruses. In 20% of cases in children (10% of cases in adults), strep throat is caused by a bacterium, Group A streptococcus. Group A streptococcal tonsillitis requires antibiotic treatment to prevent possible complications: generalized infection (sepsis), acute rheumatic fever, heart problems, etc.
See the article: Strep Throat and Sore Throat in Adults or Strep Throat and Sore Throat in Children
A medication that relieves pain. Analgesics act either directly on the pain centers in the brain or by blocking the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
Synonym: analgesic.
A substance that locally destroys bacteria, reducing their numbers and preventing their proliferation. Some antiseptics are also effective against microscopic fungi and viruses.
A very painful lesion in the mouth that appears as a slightly sunken, yellowish or grayish spot. It usually heals on its own after a few days.
Stress, fatigue, and certain foods (walnuts, hazelnuts, Gruyère cheese, citrus fruits, etc.) can trigger a flare-up of canker sores. In very rare cases, canker sores may be caused by an underlying medical condition or medication.
See the article: Canker Sores
A condition characterized by difficulty breathing, often accompanied by wheezing. Asthma, which can be chronic or occur in episodes, is caused by narrowing and inflammation of the bronchi.
See the article: Asthma
A disturbance of consciousness, ranging from simple lethargy to complete loss of consciousness (deep coma).
A person experiencing confusion suffers from disorientation, anxiety, and memory problems. Confusion may be caused by a neurological disorder, an infection, or poisoning (e.g., from a medication).
The detachment and shedding of the superficial layers of the skin or mucous membranes; for example, skin peeling after a sunburn.
The frequency of an adverse reaction is described in official documents as follows:
The current trend in official documents is to report all bothersome symptoms observed—even exceptionally—in people who have used the drug. Some of these symptoms are genuinely attributable to the drug, while others may occur during treatment purely by coincidence, even though the drug is likely not responsible.
In the interest of completeness, we have chosen to list all the symptoms enumerated in official documents, although we are aware of the risk of causing sometimes unwarranted concern. Providing the public with accurate information remains, however, our top priority. Please be aware that these symptoms are not necessarily attributable to the medication.
Tissue (membrane) that lines the body’s cavities and passages communicating with the outside (digestive tract, respiratory system, urinary tract, etc.).
An inherited disorder characterized by the absence of an enzyme, leading to the accumulation of a toxic substance in the blood. Screening for this condition is routine at birth. Treatment involves a specific diet during early childhood.
The amount and distribution of a medication dose based on the patient’s age, weight, and general health.
A reaction caused by the body’s hypersensitivity to a medication. Allergic reactions can take many different forms: hives, angioedema, eczema, a rash resembling measles, etc. Anaphylactic shock is a generalized allergic reaction that causes distress due to a sudden drop in blood pressure.
See the article: Can You Be Allergic to Medications?
Sorbitol is a sugar found in certain fruits (such as prunes). Because it contains fewer calories than table sugar (sucrose), it is used as a sweetener (under the code E420) but also as a stabilizer, for example in certain medications. During digestion, sorbitol is converted into fructose (fruit sugar). Some people have trouble digesting fructose and, as a result, experience intestinal problems (diarrhea) when they consume a product containing sorbitol.
Sulfur-containing substances used as preservatives in certain medications. Sulfites can cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.
A symptom that can refer to a sensation of loss of balance (common usage) or, more strictly, a sensation of spinning—either of oneself or of the surroundings (medical usage).
See the article: Vertigo.
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