Benzonatate and Headaches: What Users Say

• 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."

• Ash...
• February 1, 2018

Benzonatate for Cough "I was diagnosed last night with influenza and acute bronchitis. My coughing fits have been terrible and make me feel like I can't breathe. Once I start coughing, it's a long time and a severe headache before I can stop. The doctor prescribed Tessalon Perles for me, and I had no idea what it would do. This is the first time I have felt relief in many days! I feel its effect about 30 minutes after taking it... my cough becomes looser, my sinuses and airway become drier (not so full of mucus), and I lose the urge to cough. And I can sleep! Win."

• 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!"

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

For Cough "Urgent care clinic doc prescribed 100 mg benzonatate pearls in addition to prednisone for bronchitis. Did nothing to stop cough, which worsened over a few days. Raging headache/earache on day 2, tongue slightly numb/no taste on day 3, still coughing all the time, and on the morning of day 5 became confused while out in public and had difficulty understanding what was being said and could not remember a few conversations. Medical center ER doc says this is a 'normal' side effect of benzonatate and discontinued use immediately. Never again."

• Meo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2017

For Cough "I was prescribed this medication for a post-nasal drip I've had for several weeks. I hate it. It only lasts 2-3 hours the first couple of times you take it, then it only lasts maybe an hour. Now I'm up coughing worse than before, googling if I can take more than prescribed. Do not do that. I have 200 mg 3 times as needed. I have a terrible headache, and my ribs are killing me. On top of that, I pee a little every time I cough, which is just wonderful seeing I have to work tomorrow. I'm discontinuing and calling my doc first thing in the morning."

• 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."

• 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."

• Net...
• August 19, 2016

Benzonatate for Cough "I was prescribed this medication at the ER after a coughing fit so severe I almost passed out. I took my narcotic cough syrup before bed. I woke up about 6 hours later coughing, so I took the Tessalon Perles. My coughing stopped, but I got every side effect. My head was pounding so bad I couldn't sit or stand for more than a few minutes. I was very disappointed because I needed something to get me through the day. This medication worked great on my cough, but I felt worse in every other perspective."

• BRI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2025

For Cough "This was prescribed for my dry cough due to the flu. After the first night of taking the medication, I noticed immediate relief, however, I did have a bit of a headache in the morning. Despite the headache, I continued taking the medication, and it's allowing me to sleep through the night with no issues, so I would recommend anyone looking for relief. The key to getting healthy again is sleep."

• hnc...
• January 11, 2017

For Cough "I was prescribed benzonatate for an upper respiratory infection. I've had a horrible tickle in my throat at night and can't sleep. It has helped my cough, but I've noticed it wears off after about 3 hours. The only side effect I've had is a mild headache."

• Poi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2017

For Cough "I have had this severe cough for 3-4 weeks now, the doctor said I have bronchitis and requested that I use these pills. They do not work. I coughed so much that my heart was hurting, as well as my lower right back and my head. These pills do not work at all. The doctor in the emergency says, 'It's hard to control a cough.' I said, 'So what do I do?' His only response: just have to wait it out. I can't work and cough like this, as I work in a restaurant."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2019

For Cough "Dr. prescribed these pills to me because he couldn’t quite figure out what is wrong with me. Not sure if my cough is from a viral infection or not. My coughing, before these pills, had me up for the past 2 nights. Took 1 of these pills and my coughing got worse - ladies, you know the stop, cross (your legs), and cough. I mean my coughing is so bad that I am in agony from a headache. So I thought it was a coincidence. I’ve never taken these pills before, then just took another pill, thinking I would nip this cough before it starts full force again, and to my surprise, I have not been able to stop coughing since the pill kicked in. I wish I could undo what I did by taking this pill. Next time, well, there won’t be a next time. I’m totally done with these pills!!"

• 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!!!"

• Anonymous
• January 8, 2011

For Cough "Took one dose, helped with cough short term, but could not sleep, restless, and I experienced a headache and an extreme feeling of cold. Normally at this time of year, sleep with a light comforter, had to add a fleece blanket, socks, and finally added an electric blanket, even my body felt cool to the touch."

• Bro...
• November 8, 2016

For Cough "Got this medicine prescribed by my doctor, but it didn't work for me. I have bronchitis, have been taking it now for 9 days, and no relief. The only thing it did for me was add a headache to my symptoms. I am already feeling like crap, was hoping for relief, not new problems."

• NIK...
• April 3, 2017

Benzonatate for Cough "The worst choice of medication to treat a cold. I had a cold return after 6/7 weeks just to be given this same medication again. My cough is worse, and the headache from the pressure is a nightmare. Constant coughing at night. This is day 3 of the second go-round with this cold, and I'm not taking it anymore. It does nothing for the sinus drainage, and it just makes the cough worse, not better. Will not make another appointment for a different antibiotic, so over the counter here I come! This is a waste for a $200 visit."

• Hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2016

For Cough "Side effects for me were the same as a few others with a negative result. After taking 200 mg, I felt like I was hallucinating; going crazy. Sinus areas inflamed quickly with a headache. I must be allergic to this drug."

• Dav...
• October 21, 2019

For Cough "Definitely helps me cough a little less. Not worth the side effects for me though. Stuff gives me an awful headache and the odd combination of drowsiness and sleeplessness at the same time. Also, after a couple of days, I went from a dry cough to coughing up copious amounts of mucus."

• Mad...
• July 10, 2018

For Cough "I was prescribed this medication after I was coughing for about a month. I'm one of those people who react badly to drugs, so I normally check what side effects to expect and then decide whether or not to take the drug. The side effects listed for this drug were discouraging, but because I'd been coughing so long, I decided it was worth a try. But I wasn't going to use the inhaler, which had its own list of terrible side effects, and I chose instead to use a humidifier to help my breathing. About five minutes after I took the first capsule, I could feel the drug coursing through my system, and after a short while, I was cocooned in an altered state. I felt like I was living in my own dream, and I've been taking the drug for four days, and I'm not sure if it's me doing the things I'm doing or I'm just dreaming. I also get nauseous, and I've developed an on-and-off headache. It took care of my cough, though, and I'm happy with that, so I'll try and see if I can stick with it to the end."

• Umm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2018

For Cough "Ok, so yeah, this last Saturday I woke up with a sore throat. Sunday, it turns into a bad cough (almost like bronchitis sounding) and Monday I woke up with a headache. I went to dialysis on Monday, and luckily my doctor was there. He listened to my lungs and said they sounded 'chunky.' He prescribed these pills to me, plus the antibiotic Doxycycline monohydrate. The Benzonatate pearl I took one earlier in the evening and then my second dose when I was going to bed. Still have that damn cough! After I finish this prescription, I'm not taking it anymore."

• Cou...
• January 18, 2017

For Cough "I got checked by the urgent clinic today, who were very helpful. Upon being diagnosed with bronchitis, I was prescribed the 100 mg Tessalon. I specifically asked the doctor if this would make me drowsy, because I am a teacher and have to return to work ASAP. Nope, he assured. Well, not only did I spend the rest of the evening hiding from lights and sounds due to an explosive headache (which ached every time I coughed), but my temp went up, and I am now extremely exhausted. What is the deal with this stuff? I haven't stopped coughing and feel ten times worse."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 17, 2021

For Cough "I feel so validated reading these reviews. These pills are making my cough worse. I was having productive coughs, and now they are so dry, I can't stop. I'm getting a pounding headache from coughing so much and have started to gag. It's awful."

• ast...
• May 8, 2017

Benzonatate for Cough "The first assist practitioner ordered this med because of my asthmatic bronchitis. I took it, and it gave me the worst headache I ever had. It was also too expensive, and my insurance would not cover it. Also, it is made with animal products (contains gelatin), and my religion does not allow it. So I may end up in hell."

• Gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2021

Benzonatate for Cough "Tessalon did not work for me, it also gave me a headache!"