Benzonatate for Cough User Reviews
Brand names: Tessalon Perles, Tessalon
Benzonatate has an average rating of 4.1 out of 10 from a total of 716 reviews for the treatment of Cough. 31% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 62% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Benzonatate
- Taps
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 23, 2021
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "Completely worthless! I was given these for a cough -- bronchitis to be more specific. I have been on them 4 days, and I have no relief. Buy some pineapple. Buy it already sliced up but fresh. Pick the orangest ones you can find--much better than this stuff. Pineapple actually works but I was given this. I resorted to an old post-surgical narcotic for some relief. Have to get sleep sometime. Bills are not going to pay themselves!"
- Tommy...
- April 9, 2021
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "Useless stuff! Just another garbage medication that simply doesn’t work. Medicine in general is one of the biggest scams out there. All of these billion-dollar pharmaceutical companies are laughing themselves silly to the bank while prescribing little circle and oval shapes that you swallow that don’t do anything."
Frequently asked questions
- Girl
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 9, 2019
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "This is the 3rd or 4th time I have tried these Tessalon Perles. They are completely useless. It’s a joke. A cough drop helps me better. I have an upper respiratory infection and a super dry cough. My chest is on fire. So now what? I have to go back to the doctor and look like some sort of junkie and ask for something different? I feel like my lungs are going to explode. So disappointing. I feel like I’m just getting sicker. I just want cough relief. I’m so glad these are cheap with my insurance."
- jmc
- Taken for 10 years or more
- April 22, 2019
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "I take these exclusively for coughing related to sinus drainage - they are anesthetic/numbing pills that are designed to block the cough reflex that results from constant drainage (post-nasal drip). (Imagine being able to get chloraseptic spray to hit that pesky spot in your throat that reacts to the tickle of sinus drainage.) They are not an expectorant or a cough suppressant, so they WILL NOT work on chest congestion with/without mucus. They are not designed to help you cough up mucus or block the cough reflex in your lungs. That said, NOTHING works to shut down the cough reflex in my throat like these little godsends."
Are you taking this medicine?
- Pearls...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 28, 2020
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "I have been prescribed this medicine for bronchitis, the croup, and now pneumonia over several months. They absolutely do not work! They do nothing, even when I take two at a time, nothing helps. All the doctors are prescribing this, they must be getting paid without reading the reviews. Waste of money and a scam."
- Joano
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 25, 2021
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "This was a miracle medicine during and post-COVID to stop the nagging cough. I’m not sure what I would have done without it, especially since I didn’t want anything that was going to make me groggy or more fatigued."
- Kat
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 22, 2020
"I wish Tessalon Pearls worked for me, but they never have. I've had bronchitis almost every year and have tried it several times since I was a child. I don't like taking pills, and I never have. What bothers me most is the hesitancy by most doctors to give me something that works when I tell them benzonatate does not touch my deep cough. Everyone is treated like a drug addict when you ask for something a little stronger even when you don't have a problem. I have been sleeping like 4 hours a day due to a bad cough, and I've done the over-the-counters, and they don't help much either."
- Janet
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 30, 2019
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "I grew into lung issues. Walking pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, continual coughing. Someone suggested I ask the doctor for the coughing pearls. I had zero negative side effects. Instead my cough nearly stopped. When I did start to cough again, it was because it was time to take another dose. This single gel tab allowed my lungs to rest so I could get restful sleep. Colds go away much faster when I have this to use. Have also suggested them to others who have had the very same positive experience. I am so very grateful for these and have been on them numerous times over many years. Always work very well for me!"
- peanuts
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 2, 2020
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "I was prescribed Tessalon on 6/2 for cough. I took my first dose on 6/3 at 8 AM. At 9 AM, I began to become sleepy and dizzy. My mouth, tongue, and throat felt cold. I was still coughing. I slept until 10:30 AM. I was still coughing. It is now 3 PM, I just got up again. I am still coughing and somewhat disoriented. I will never take this medication again. This is a dangerous drug."
- Anonymous
- February 18, 2024
"Had been prescribed benzonatate in the past and saw no results. This week the ER Dr. prescribed them again along with an antibiotic. This time this doctor and the LPN both explained that you need to take them with an adequate amount of liquid to dissolve the coating and activate the liquid inside. Many people take benzonatate with a sip or two of water and it’s just not enough. I've been taking mine with a whole mug of very warm tea, game changer! Now it definitely cuts down on the frequency and intensity of my cough."
- Dutch...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- November 7, 2019
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "We call these 'magic pills' in my house. Stops cough and the pain associated with allergies and sicknesses within 15 minutes. The only medication that works for me most times. Would recommend to everyone!"
- Euras...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 5, 2020
Tessalon (benzonatate) "Tessalon Perles are little more than a placebo. Gummy Bears are about as effective in preventing cough. Prescribers like them because it keeps them from having to prescribe controlled cough syrups, which can place them on the State and Federal 'frequent prescriber' list, while at the same time making the patient think something has been done to treat him. At one time, Perles had fallen into disuse, but the current legislative attacks on sick people by denying them drugs that can be abused has caused the Perles to come back in style. Besides, there's a new generation of know-nothing patients who can be exploited before they smarten up - that can take years."
- Meano
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 15, 2020
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "Did absolutely nothing for me. Tried multiple times as I had a cough. Even tried a double dose once. Never did any good, maybe it even made it worse. Yesterday, I was coughing for 2 hours straight. Need to rate it as a zero or less."
- Deb
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 17, 2019
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "I am always optimistic about Tessalon Perles because they're non-narcotic. But, sadly, they don't help me any more than a cough drop. Through the years, I have tried them several times, so I've given them more than one try. In fact, three in all. No relief."
- JAC
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 16, 2019
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "After almost 2 weeks of coughing with acute bronchitis, these pills were a lifesaver. Stopped those deep-lung hacking coughs and allowed me to get a fantastic night's sleep for the first time in days. They work great for me, and I love that they are non-opiate."
- Kalista
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 25, 2020
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "Was given this medication for a cough associated with the flu. I took it as prescribed by my doctor, but it just doesn't help at all. I have been taking them for over a week, and I still have a horrible cough, bad enough that it hurts my ribs."
- Bashm...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 4, 2015
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "I was hesitant to take this, but a persistent cough and chronic bronchitis that was well into week 9 left me little choice. I am typically sensitive to most medications. Especially stimulants which is why I was so hesitant. However, I noticed a near immediate suppression of my coughing attacks which would leave me breathless and gasping to the point I was almost vomiting. It took about 30 mins but I noticed it, and will be taking this again in the future if I have an option to!"
- Anonymous
- July 14, 2011
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "I am an asymptomatic HIV-positive white 44-year-old male with an undetectable viral load count. After ten days of severe coughing, I was prescribed Tessalon Perles (100 mg three times a day). It works like a miracle. I am able to sleep and function well while recovering from a respiratory infection, which spread to my chest. Since my diagnosis almost 20 years ago, I have kept a journal of all medications which I have used. I am very happy to say that Tessalon Perles will be a medication listed favorably. If I ever have another infection involving a cough, I will request a prescription for this medication."
- Sunny...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 6, 2015
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "I've had a horrible cough for two weeks, and for the past two days, I have had a dry, persistent cough that sounds horrific. I was prescribed Tessalon Perles 100mg twice a day, and immediately stopped coughing. This medicine is wonderful and suppresses the urge to cough. I highly recommend this medicine. It does make you drowsy."
- Binky
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 13, 2019
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "I can't imagine a doctor actually prescribing this for an adult, this is a child-level drug. I actually had an Urgent Care refuse to prescribe something stronger after three days of coughing and congestion on this medication. Now, in 10-degree weather, I have to go to my car after sitting in the urgent care for an hour and getting bad medical advice from 20-year-old unlicensed medical staff."
- fromo...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 30, 2015
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "I have recurring respiratory infections, bronchitis... I had a very trying case last year with an abnormally persistent cough. Tessalon Perles was prescribed for the cough. It was a Godsend! Worked so well! I have recommended it to everyone who has complained about coughing. Very, very effective for me."
- Miche...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- January 10, 2024
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "When reading the reviews, it looks like they aren't effective for everyone. For me, a severe asthmatic, the perles have been wonderful to slow down and eliminate my coughing fits (for a time), so that my lungs can heal from bronchitis or whatever else is giving me a wicked/hacking cough. I hope it works for you. It's worth a try."
- Mom
- June 3, 2020
"Do NOT take Benzonatate!! After taking a Z-pack that didn't work for bronchitis 2 1/2 months ago, I was finally prescribed amoxicillin but also Benzonatate. By day 5, I woke up feeling awful, took the Benzonate twice that day, and by early evening, I had chest pain, felt like I was being choked, it was painful to breathe, and I had to lay down. I've tested negative for COVID and for the antibodies. I rested for a few hours that evening and started feeling a little better. I obviously stopped taking the Benzonate, and by the next day, I started feeling so much better. Never have I experienced anything like this. If you are on this drug, please stop taking it and opt for something proven to be safer."
- cherr...
- March 1, 2013
Tessalon (benzonatate) "I have had allergies for months. The drainage caused me to develop a severe case of bronchitis which triggered my asthma to be worse than ever before. Nothing was working for my cough, which was keeping me awake night after night. Sleeping sitting up on the couch for 30 min at a time... Doc at ER gave me 2 Tessalon. Cough stopped almost immediately. First night of sleep I have had in weeks. Thank heavens she wrote me a prescription. Now I am looking forward to my second night cough-free. Thank God for small miracles."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) "Tessalon Perles are useless for cough, might as well swallow a tic tac, it would have the same effect for a cough. Three times now, I have been given these, and they do absolutely nothing for helping stop my cough. I even tried taking them more frequently, and still no relief. The biggest joke ever for cough relief, and tired of wasting my hard-earned money on such a useless medication. I would rate these zero if it would allow, however, I must choose a rating of one instead. My quality of life is still suffering, I am still coughing so hard I urinate and have bowel movements unexpectedly. I am still crying each time I have a coughing fit, gagging until I puke. My throat is raw, and I have developed a tension migraine from coughing. I have been up for days now with very little sleep and am exhausted from coughing so hard."