Magic mouthwash - can it be used before eating?

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catlady44
catlady44 Member Posts: 159
edited March 2015 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I wondered if anyone knew if it was ok to use the Magic mouthwash before eating? It would help numb my mouth so I could tolerate eating. Chemo makes eating hard already because nothing sounds good. If I have to start eating only soft food, that's going to get hard. I've also noticed that the further I go after the infusion of AC, the worse my mouth sores get. I even keep ice in my mouth during the infusion so I don't get why this is happening 10 days after it. Anyone else deal with this?

Thx -

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited March 2015

    There are many different formulas for magic mouthwash. Call your pharmacist to ask their opinion (hopefully they're still open on a Sunday night). If yours contains an antibiotic like tetracycline or antifungal agent, you don't want to "wash" it out too soon by eating & drinking. What would probably work well for you is the anesthetic component lidocaine. You can get that as a prescription in a squeeze bottle all by itself. Ask your clinic about that option and maybe you can start using it tomorrow.

    Ice chips during infusion probably helped me avoid mouth sores but I did not have Adriamycin. Soft food is not so bad however you do need to eat!

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  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited March 2015

    So sorry you are going thru this...I had painful mouth ànd throat sores and my MO told me to take the Magic Mouthwash before eating to numb my mouth and throat so I could eat. I would wait 15 or 20 minutes to give it time to take effect. I could not eat "crunchy things" or Drink sodas or coffee, burned like acid. I hope you get some relief...(((hugs))) Maur

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  • catlady44
    catlady44 Member Posts: 159
    edited March 2015

    My formula has maalox, lidocaine and benadryl. The nurse told me it's fine to take before eating to just numb things. I swear, I always have these weird things spring up on the weekends! I'm finding more soft foods that sound good to eat. It just took some thinking about it. Thanks for the tips!Happy

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  • bazchas
    bazchas Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2015

    Hi to you all, I have just finished my 9th session of Capecitabine and th onls se/s have been fatigue and breathlesness. However I went to the dentist on monday and now have mouth ulcers. I live in the UK and just wondered what the magic mouthwash is or are there any other suggestions.


    Hugs to everyone


    bazchas

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  • catlady44
    catlady44 Member Posts: 159
    edited March 2015

    This is the way it was explained to me - please anybody feel free to correct this if I'm wrong! It's a thick liquid that you swish around your mouth and spit out. I guess there are different formulas, but the one I take has Maalox, benadryl and lidocaine. It coats the mouth and numbs everything. Mine states that's it's to be used 3 times a day, but I'm not sure if that's set in stone or not. It's kind of gross to use, but it is SO worth it to have your mouth numbed! Best of luck with your treatments - sound like you're having a rough go of it.

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  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited March 2015

     There are probably different formulas... Mine had Nystatin to fight yeast infection along with the lidocaine to numb the tissue. I was instructed to swish it around in my mouth for 20-30 seconds then swallow it to numb my esophagus and fight the yeast.There were several other meds in there too.

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited March 2015


    There are many different formulas of Magic Mouthwash. Catlady,, your formula happens to be what we use at my hosptial.  I would definitely recommend taking it before you eat. Swish it around in your mouth for at least 30 seconds and spit it out. 3 times a day is not set in stone. You are spitting the med out,, very little will be absorbed into your system. The Benadryl could make you drowsy if you do adsorb some,, FYI,,,,  Glad you found some soft things to eat!

    Bazchas:  I'm sure there is something similiar in UK.  This particular formula is equal parts of Benadryl (diphenhydramine),  Maalox (a liquid antacid) and viscous lidocaine.  Your chemist could put say,, 60ml of each into a bottle and shake it up.  You will want to shake it up before using, Then take 5-10 ml, swish in mouth and spit out. I hope you will be able to find some,, or have a chemist make some up for you.

    Hugs to you all and may you find relief. 

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  • catlady44
    catlady44 Member Posts: 159
    edited March 2015

    Thanks Glennie! - I didn't know that I should be swishing it for 20-30 seconds, so I'm glad you let me know! Maybe the effect will last longer now.

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  • FrannieS
    FrannieS Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2015

    hi catlady44

    I'm currently on AC regimen and my mouth sores are almost nonstop. I use magic mouthwash about 15 minutes before eating. I eat lots of smoothies. Cool beverages are soothing and they are filling as well.

    The nurse practitioner at my Cancer center gave me a cookbook called EATING WELL THROUGH CANCER by Holly Clegg & Gerald Mitello, MD. It's been so helpful. There are chapters on recipes when one has mouth sores, foods to eat on day of chemo, when there is constipation, etc. The meals are quick,easy, and tasty.

    Good luck

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