Benzonatate
Pronunciation: (ben-ZOE-nah-tate)Class: Nonnarcotic antitussive
Trade Names:
Tessalon
- Capsules 100 mg
- Capsules 200 mg
Pharmacology
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User Reviews & Ratings
Reduces cough reflex by anesthetizing stretch receptors in respiratory passages.
Pharmacokinetics
Onset
15 to 20 min.
Duration
3 to 8 h.
Indications and Usage
Symptomatic relief of cough.
Contraindications
Standard considerations.
Dosage and Administration
Adults and Children at least 10 yr of agePO 100 to 200 mg 3 times daily as required, up to 600 mg/day.
General Advice
- Have patient swallow capsules whole. Caution patient not to suck or chew capsule because benzonatate can produce a temporary local anesthesia of the oral mucosa and choking could occur.
- Administer without regard to meals but administer with food or milk if GI upset occurs.
Storage/Stability
Store capsules at controlled room temperature (59° to 86°F). Keep tightly capped.
Drug Interactions
None well documented.
Laboratory Test Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
CNS
Sedation; headache; mental confusion; visual hallucinations.
Dermatologic
Pruritus; skin eruptions.
GI
Constipation; nausea; GI upset.
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity reactions including bronchospasm, laryngospasm, CV collapse, possibly related to chewing the capsule.
Miscellaneous
Nasal congestion; eye irritation; feeling cold; chest numbness.
Precautions
MonitorAssess response to therapy. Inform health care provider if cough is not controlled or worsens. |
Pregnancy
Category C
Lactation
Undetermined.
Children
Safety in children younger than 10 yr of age is not established.
Overdosage
Symptoms
CNS stimulation, restlessness, tremors, convulsions, profound CNS depression.
Patient Information
- Advise patient to take prescribed dose up to 3 times daily if needed for cough.
- Caution patient not to chew or suck on capsule because doing so can cause local anesthesia (numbness) of the mouth and throat and choking could occur.
- Advise patient to take without regard to meals but to take with food or milk if stomach upset occurs.
- Advise patient if a dose is missed, to take as soon as remembered unless it is nearing time for the next dose. Caution patient not to double the dose to catch up.
- Advise patient if cough is not controlled, not to increase the dose of medication, but to inform health care provider.
- Advise patient to inform health care provider if bothersome side effects occur.
- Caution patients that drug may cause drowsiness or dizziness and to use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring mental alertness until tolerance is determined.
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benzonatate - Includes detailed dosage instructions.
