benzonatate

Generic Name: benzonatate
Other Brand Names: Tessalon

What is benzonatate (oral)?

Benzonatate is a local anesthetic. It numbs or reduces feeling in the throat and lungs.

Benzonatate is used to relieve coughing.

Benzonatate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking benzonatate (oral)?

Do not take benzonatate without first talking to your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it or to other topical anesthetic agents such as tetracaine or procaine (found in some insect bite and sunburn creams).

Benzonatate is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether benzonatate will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is also not known whether benzonatate passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The safety and effectiveness of benzonatate have not been established for children younger than 10 years of age.

How should I take benzonatate (oral)?

Take benzonatate exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Do not suck or chew the capsules. Swallow them whole. Sucking or chewing the capsules may cause the mouth and throat to feel numb or frozen, and choking may occur.

Store benzonatate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of benzonatate (oral)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Where can I get more information about benzonatate (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about benzonatate (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of benzonatate (oral)?

Stop taking benzonatate and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience

  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

  • choking from chewing or sucking on the capsules; or

  • confusion or hallucinations.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take benzonatate and talk to your doctor if you experience

  • headache;

  • dizziness;

  • sleepiness;

  • nausea, stomach upset, constipation; or

  • itching.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about benzonatate (oral)?

Do not suck or chew the capsules. Swallow them whole. Sucking or chewing the capsules may cause the mouth and throat to feel numb or frozen, and choking may occur.

What should I avoid while taking benzonatate (oral)?

Do not suck or chew the capsules. Swallow them whole. Sucking or chewing the capsules may cause the mouth and throat to feel numb or frozen, and choking may occur.

What other drugs will affect benzonatate (oral)?

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products during treatment with benzonatate.

What happens if I have an overdose of benzonatate (oral)?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an overdose of benzonatate include numbness in the mouth or throat, restlessness, tremor or shaking, seizures, and death.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008