Benzonatate and Dizziness: What Users Say

• pea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2020

Benzonatate for Cough "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."

• LeF...
• November 14, 2016

Benzonatate for Cough "Made the cough completely vanish, but had a pretty bad headache coupled with constant drowsiness and light dizziness. Definitely worth it, but awful when I have to get a lot done at night (which I often do). Overall: They get the job done, but ultimately you must weigh the cough vs. the side effects."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2019

Benzonatate for Cough "I can feel the medicine start to work after about a half an hour. I'm going on my 3rd week with a bronchitis cough, and it's the worst. It gets so bad that I can't breathe, and my head hurts. I've never had coughing fits like this in my life, so I didn't know if these pearls would work. They make me a little dizzy and tired, but I can tell they work. The relief is amazing. They last about 8 hrs. I wouldn't say they take the cough away completely, but there's definitely an improvement."

• Lon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2016

Benzonatate for Cough "An upper respiratory infection sent me to an urgent care center, where 100 mg of Tessalon Perles was prescribed. This lowest dosage relaxed the lung muscles, so I didn't suffer from the coughing spasms, and while I still had to sleep sitting up, I was more comfortable. The prescription was for 3 times a day, but I only took it twice daily. A follow-up visit to my primary care doctor resulted in a prescription for 200 mg twice daily, and that dosage was too much for me. I had a scary episode resembling a heart attack and stopped the medication immediately. Heart pounding, chest muscles tightened front and back, profuse sweating, dizziness, one episode of vomiting. I consumed large quantities of water to flush the drug out of my system and will never take it again."

• KLW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2023

For Cough "I don't know why there are so many negative reviews on this medication! I've been fighting an upper respiratory infection for over a week now, and the coughing has kept me up all night. I was coughing so much, it was giving me horrible headaches. The first night I took one of these capsules, it only took about half an hour to start working, and I've finally been able to get some sleep! I'm prescribed it twice daily. It does last almost the full 12 hours for me. Usually, when the coughing starts to get bad again, it's around the time for another dose. It does make me a tad bit dizzy and drowsy, but the drowsiness just helps me sleep a bit better, anyway. 10/10 for sure."

• Bag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2015

For Cough "Had a bad, bad cough for 10 days. Probably spent $50 on Mucinex and such (which didn't help). I wasn't sleeping and now I'm getting dizzy. Finally went to the doctor and had bronchitis and a sinus infection. He gave me this, and boy did it help. The first day I took it, the cough stopped, and it knocked me out. I slept for 12 hours straight. As far as I'm concerned, it's a miracle drug."

• Poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2017

Benzonatate for Cough "The first time the pearls were prescribed, I thought they were a miracle drug. Suppressed my cough and no side effects. Every spring and fall, I get a chest cold. So, I got a prescription 3 days ago. My cough is just as bad as it was 4 days ago, and I am in constant gastric distress. I'm disappointed that they didn't work this time, and the upset tummy and dizziness have turned me off. I'm going back to Mucinex and Robitussin."

• HBH...
• February 28, 2017

For Cough "Husband and I prescribed Tessalon Perles. He has bronchitis, I have a lung infection. Prescribed different antibiotics. Neither one of us feels the Perles work one bit. I notice increased saliva, dizziness, and he has a headache and chills since taking. Going back to the doctor to complain, need relief. Nyquil works better, if you ask me."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• April 9, 2019

For Cough "The first time I took benzonatate for my cough, I woke with a severe headache, cold sweats, and vomiting. I didn’t realize it was from the medication, so I took it again 5 days later and had chest pain, epigastric pain, nausea, dizziness, and insomnia. I will never take this med again!!!"

• Nur...
• January 31, 2017

For Cough "Tried taking one dose (200 mg) before bed last night. Not only did my symptoms (rasping cough while laying down to sleep) not improve, but I felt myself getting dizzy and disoriented and had a hard time sleeping. On top of all that, I called my baby's pediatrician, and she says it is not safe for nursing moms to give to their babies, as it is a level 3 drug. Bottom line, I wouldn't recommend this for nursing moms at all, and frankly, its effectiveness does not outweigh its downsides."

• fyr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2016

For Cough "Taking benzonatate 2x 100 mg - 3x a day on my second day of use and no effect at all, not even confusion or dizziness others have commented on. The doctor didn't even think I was taking it when I went in for a follow-up appointment. Also taking levofloxacin 500 mg 1x a day and magnesium oxide 2 hours after the levofloxacin."

• Loo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2019

For Cough "I’ve been taking benzonatate for 2 days, prescribed to me by my doctors. Overall, I have been coughing less and less harshly. But it has made me drowsy and dizzy and vomit after eating. Of course, everyone is different."

• pap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2020

For Cough "Worthless, did nothing but make me dizzy and sleepy."

• Hac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2016

For Cough "This stuff does not work on me. All I feel is tired and dizzy. No cough suppressant at all. Super frustrating."

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

For Cough "Thought I had a stroke...confusion, dizziness, loss of memory...really scared me! Doctor had me stop taking it immediately!"

• Sco...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 4, 2016

For Cough "Prescribed in a 200 mg dose, it is the only thing that helps me sleep when I have bronchitis, which is frequent. Can cause dizziness, so take at night or if not driving. And no alcohol."