Benzonatate

Benzonatate is a prescription medicine used to relieve cough.

• Benzonatate is available under the following different brand names: Tessalon, Tessalon Perles, Zonatuss

Adult and pediatric dosage

Capsule

• 100mg
• 150mg
• 200mg

Cough

Adult dosage

• 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg orally every 8 hours; 600 mg/day maximum

Pediatric dosage

• Children below 10 years: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children above 10 years: 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg orally every 8 hours; 600 mg/day maximum

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of Benzonatate include:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• constipation,
• itching,
• rash, and
• stuffy nose

Serious side effects of Benzonatate include:

• severe drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• numbness or tingling in the mouth, throat, or face,
• numbness in the chest,
• choking feeling,
• chills, and
• burning in the eyes.

Rare side effects of Benzonatate include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Benzonatate has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Benzonatate has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Benzonatate has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Benzonatate has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs. 

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to benzonatate and related compounds (tetracaine-type topical anesthetics)

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Benzonatate?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Benzonatate?”

Cautions

• Keep out of reach of children
• Severe hypersensitivity reactions (bronchospasm, cardiovascular collapse) were reported with therapy (possibly related to sucking or chewing the capsule)
• Deliberate or accidental overdose has resulted in death, particularly in children
• Isolated cases of abnormal behavior (mental confusion and visual hallucinations) reported

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Excretion in milk unknown; use caution