Cough drops are medicated, sweetened lozenges taken orally to relieve coughs and soothe sore throats. They are manufactured like hard-candy confectionery, with active ingredients such as menthol, eucalyptus oil, or demulcents dissolved in a boiled-sugar base that releases the medication slowly as the lozenge melts in the mouth. Although sold in confectionery-style formats, they are regulated as medicines or quasi-drugs in many markets, so their manufacture follows pharmaceutical good manufacturing practice, with controlled dosage uniformity, validated stability, clear labelling of actives, and child-safety warnings on packs.