Magic mouthwash is a compounded medication that varies in ingredients according to oral symptoms. The formulation varies according to the patient's physician and the pharmacy filling the prescription. One recipe for magic mouthwash includes one part 2 percent viscous lidocaine, one part Maalox and 12.5 milligrams per 5 milliliters of diphenhydramine.
A second recipe for magic mouthwash includes 80 milliliters of 2 percent viscous lidocaine, 80 milliliters Mylanta, 80 milliliters nystatin, 80 milliliters of 12.5 milligrams per 5 milliliters liquid diphenhydramine, 80 milliliters of 15 milligrams per 5 milliliter solution of prednisolone and 80 milliliters of distilled water.
The Compounder Pharmacy lists several magic mouthwash recipes on its website, including one for Stanford's mouthwash. The ingredients in this mouthwash include nystatin, tetracycline, chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone. Magic mouthwash version two includes Mylanta, sucralfate and Benadryl.
According to Mayo Clinic, magic mouthwash contains at least three ingredients from several categories: an antihistamine, an antibiotic, an antacid, an antifungal and a corticosteroid. The solution is used in a swish-and-spit fashion, and the patient shouldn't eat or drink for at least 30 minutes after using the mouthwash so that it has a chance to work.
Magic mouthwash is prescribed for patients who suffer from oral mucositis, which is a common symptom of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
