I had a lot of throat pain. are lozenges worth the cost?

They can help: You'd get more bang for your buck with warm salt water gargles (free), generic Ibuprofen (cost just as much as lozenges, but works better), or generic Acetaminophen (same cost as lozenges, but works better).

Salt H20 is cheaper: If you have a significantly sore throat w swollen tonsils / lymph nodes – see your medical provider ; get a strep throat test ; culture. Saltwater gargles are helpful. Mix a tsp of salt in 8 oz of warm water – gargle w this several times/day. You can gargle w aloe vera juice a couple of times per day. A mix of chamomile tea w honey ; a small amount of lemon juice is good.