Benzonatate and Cough: What Users Say

• Bin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

Benzonatate for Cough "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."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2012

For Cough "My doc told me I had an upper respiratory infection and prescribed the Z-pack and benzonatate for the coughing. My cough was severe and had already lasted a week with it. My abs were super sore from coughing so much. The first time I took this, it seemed to work. I barely coughed the next few hours. When I took it again, though, it didn't do anything. In fact, it made me cough more than if I hadn't taken it. I kept taking it before I went to work, and it would cause me to have coughing fits, and now my ribs hurt."

• sha...
• January 3, 2015

Benzonatate for Cough "I was sick for a few days, and the constant coughing was making my chest hurt. I thought I had bronchitis or something worse, so I ended up going to the ER. The doctor prescribed Tessalon Perle. I figured it was a 'magic' pill after hearing about the side effects. Cool! I took one. I did notice the cough was reduced but still there. I did sleep better that night after taking one pill. By the next day, my cough was gone. I did have a lot of green mucus, so I took Tylenol Severe Cold. I did cough, but it was to bring up all that mucus. I feel better after two days and four pills later."

• Iri...
• December 19, 2016

Benzonatate for Cough "Diagnosed with bronchitis and sinusitis, I had been unable to sleep as I was coughing terribly all night long. My doctor prescribed me Tessalon Perles, and the coughing stopped immediately! I felt relaxed and wonderful and was able to lay down and sleep. However, 5 hours after taking 2 pills, the effects wore off, and I was thrust awake, coughing something fierce again. Just wish the meds would last longer!"

• WRM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2019

For Cough "Was prescribed this medication for my week-old cough. Actually made my cough symptoms significantly worse, and I stopped taking it after just 2 doses. I realize we each respond differently to medication. But this one didn’t work for me."

• 2Cu...
• January 31, 2020

For Cough "I would like to say this. I was on lisinopril prior to taking this, with the lisinopril causing the coughing episodes that I have had for the last 5 years. As anybody's experience is different, things besides just not working for you. What I have found my experience was very scary, as I felt this medication almost go through my body. I know that sounds kind of strange, but once it hit my shoulders and my neck and got into my head, my head felt like I was in a bubble underwater. Something, I just kept getting this pounding noise in my ear. I can feel my blood pressure starting to rise, my heart was palpitating like it was coming out of my chest. I did not have a blood pressure cuff, so I was unable to know what my readings were. I do know I am diabetic, and I will tell you that my checking my blood sugar shot up to 325 just 10 minutes after taking this pill."

• Win...
• February 15, 2014

For Cough "I didn't have a runny nose or cough, which I told my doctor, just a very sore throat, ear pain, fatigue, and fever. He prescribed me the benzonatate caps 100 mg, and as directed, I took them, and 3 days later, still feel the same. No different. The pills have started to make me cough, but not bad. Sometimes after taking the pills, I fall asleep and wake up because I can't breathe. I don't feel it's helped me at all."

• Eng...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2016

Benzonatate for Cough "Started taking this after 3 weeks of coughing so intense that I would gag and gasp and have to run to the restroom to pee. Horrible. This was the only thing that lessened the coughing, but my doctor insisted I take it with a decongestant. I still cough, but it has been fewer and less intense."

• coo...
• November 28, 2019

For Cough "I have been sick for over a week, with a cold and cough. I got this benzonatate cough medicine on Monday, and today is Thursday, and I’m coughing more than ever. I haven't slept in days; why do doctors do this? Don’t they want us to feel better? Today is Thanksgiving, and I can’t even go to my brother's for dinner. I will be home alone; thanks, benzonatate ;-("

• Sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2019

For Cough "This does not work! Don't even waste your time filling the prescription. This is the second time I have been prescribed this drug, and both times it has been ineffective. I swear I cough more when I take it. Another sleepless night..."

• Sar...
• February 10, 2013

For Cough "Caused severe nasal congestion that made my cold symptoms much worse. My sinuses are now extremely swollen, I have fever and chills now, and earaches. The congestion and drainage have increased. My coughing to top that off!"

• ACU...
• October 27, 2016

For Cough "4 days I've been taking this medication, and it hasn't done anything whatsoever! I can't get any rest because I'm coughing my brains out. I'm coughing so hard that I'm throwing up. My head is pounding. I will stop this so-called 'cough suppressant' today and go to the store and buy me some over-the-counter Robitussin because that works better than this prescription I had to pay out of pocket for because my insurance didn't cover it. I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy to take this medication!"

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2019

Benzonatate for Cough "I can relate to the reviews 'I kept the house awake all night ... couldn't finish a sentence.' This medicine didn't seem to work for me either...for the first 4-5 days, then a tiny improvement each day. The coughs were completely unproductive until day 10 or 12. (productive = phlegm) Improvement was slight but still noticeable each day. Today is day 21 and I still cough a bit, lots of phlegm. I run out of medicine tomorrow and have notified the doc that I'm still coughing a bit (nothing like the cafeteria-clearing jags that had people fleeing for their health... 'He might be contagious!' I wish the doc had warned me that it might not seem to work for a while."

• Bec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2020

For Cough "Do not take this medication! It made my cough so much worse! It's now 2 a.m., and I still haven't slept because of a nonstop coughing fit, which never happened this bad before I took it. The only relief I am getting is by propping my pillow up so my chest is more upright, but I can't sleep like that. If I could rate this a minus, I would. Doctors need to read these reviews and stop prescribing it!"

• BR1...
• November 13, 2016

For Cough "I was having very bad drainage, kept coughing nonstop, nasal drip, no energy, and headache. I went to the doctor and was prescribed Sudafed, amoxicillin, and this. The Sudafed and the amoxicillin have worked, but this not at all. I am still coughing, and if anything, I think it's gotten worse. I can't sleep because I am coughing so badly, and I am now working to the point where coughing has turned my throat red. This may work for some, but has not done ANYTHING for me. I wasted $29 on a prescription that doesn't work. Not happy."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2017

For Cough "I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia and maybe bronchitis. After 3 weeks of feeling really bad, with all flu symptoms. Coughing, sore throat, and feeling crummy, I finally went to the doctor. She prescribed benzonatate 100 mg 3x a day as needed, plus amoxicillin. Took 3 doses yesterday of the benzonatate, 2 today before deciding that it was making me worse. After reading reviews, I see that I'm not the only one experiencing these side effects. I feel like I'm coughing up a lung (I'm sure my neighbors hate me), fever, night sweats, headache so bad it feels like my head will explode. Depressed... decided not to take any more and still have side effects day 3. Calling doctor in the morning. Correction in a few hours. It's 5:30 a.m., no sleep. Do not recommend."

• Hip...
• February 21, 2016

For Cough "I developed a dry cough for 6 days after having a sore throat. Not being able to sleep at all for almost a week, I finally went to see a doctor. He prescribed 10 mg Claritin and claimed I have post-nasal drip. I was skeptical since I didn't have a nose issue, but took it since I didn't want to doubt his professionalism. True enough, I was still coughing the following 2 days, which made me even more cranky due to the lack of sleep. Thanks to everyone on this site, I found hope and called the doctor back to ask him for benzonatate 200 mg. After taking it for 2 days and three times a day, I was finally sleeping! Remember that this drug works best for dry cough, like one of the reviewers said, and wet cough might not see results as quickly or as effectively!"

• Ha...
• March 29, 2017

Benzonatate for Cough "Took this and had the worst 4 hours of nonstop dry cough, no relief. Finally took Robitussin again and stayed with that and Tylenol to get some sleep. Was really hoping for sleep relief when I came back from Dr. But this was not it."

• Sic...
• May 7, 2017

For Cough "So disappointed! I truly feel this did not work as well as the OTC med I was taking, and at least the nighttime version had a sleep aid. Coughed for 3 solid hours when I went to bed till my body just seemed to give up. Tonight, I will just take my nighttime OTC product. Highly disappointed!"

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

For Cough "It is currently 3:45 in the morning, and I cannot stop coughing. I’ve been taking benzonatate for 3 days, and I have never coughed this bad before. I’ve almost thrown up twice from coughing, and every time I think the worst is gone, I start to hack up a lung again."

• Sti...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2023

For Cough "These were prescribed by an urgent care center to help with a cough I’ve had for over two weeks. There’s no relief, and now I am coughing so hard that I pee. What happened to codeine?! Something that works."

• Mee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2019

For Cough "Diagnosed with bronchitis, PA said he was giving me something for my cough. Assumed it was codeine cough syrup, but no, it was these gold pearls. I might as well be taking breath mints! No relief at all; coughing so hard my chest and ribs hurt. Can’t sleep lying down. Brings on another coughing spasm. One week on this medication, and I feel no better!"

• Piz...
• April 5, 2017

For Cough "I had a real bad cough. Coughing so bad had a raw throat and pain in stomach. The pills the doctor prescribed for me were 100 mg. I honestly felt better after taking the 3rd pill. So maybe it doesn't work for everyone, but it sure is working for me. So give it a chance and don't expect it to work well if you are a heavy smoker."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2023

For Cough "Terrible experience. Took one pill, and my tongue went numb for 4 hours. Terrible dizziness. Still had coughing fits. Never again. The 3-8 hour window is crappy, there should be clearer information for those that suffer adverse effects."

• Csx...
• November 13, 2016

For Cough "This stuff does nothing, wasted $6. Years ago, doctors gave you cough syrup with codeine. That stuff knocked the cough right out! I got 3 different scripts, and I'm still gagging and coughing. Antibiotics next."