Benzonatate Side Effects
Serious Adverse Side Effects
Benzonatate doesn’t have any serious adverse side effects associated with it, but caregivers and parents of children must be aware that there is a possibility of overdose and death associated with this drug if given to children younger than the age of 10.
Common Adverse Side Effects
Benzonatate has common and less severe adverse side effects associated with it, such as:
- Gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, numbness of the tongue and diminished oral sensation
- Neurological side effects like dizziness, headache, sedation, and drowsiness
- Psychiatric side effects like bizarre behavior
Warnings & Recalls for Benzonatate
Contraindications
The only known contraindication of
Benzonatate is hypersensitivity to its components.
Who Should Not Take This Drug
The following patients should never take this drug:
- Children younger than the age of 10
- Patients prone to psychiatric episodes
Pregnancy Warning
Benzonatate has a FDA pregnancy category classification of “C”, meaning that it doesn’t carry that much risk to expecting mothers or their fetus. However in all likelihood, expecting mothers will be advised not to take it during their pregnancy.
Benzonatate Treatment and Use
Benzonatate is a drug whose classification is that of a non-narcotic cough suppressant, or antitussive. This drug has an effective duration that usually lasts from 6 to 8 hours. Although Benzonatate is the drug’s formal name, its clinical name is 2,5,8,11,14,17,20,23,26-nonaoxaoctacosan-28-yl para-butylaminobenzoate. Because of the fact that its not an opioid, Benzonatate isn’t prone to abuse like other cough syrup medications which can be classified as depressants. This drug was first approved by the US FDA in 1958.
How This Drug Works
Benzonatate works to suppress cough through mostly peripheral actions, anesthetizing cough receptors of certain fibers which are located in the respiratory passages and lungs. It also suppresses transmission of the cough reflex by a central mechanism, located at the level of the medulla.
Dosage Information
The safety and efficacy of Benzonatate has not yet been established in children younger than the age of 10. Accidental ingestion of this drug in children younger than 10 can result in overdose and death.
- For children over 10 years with cough: 100mg to 200mg orally 3 times daily as needed. Max dose is 600mg per day and max single dose is 200mg
- For adults with cough: 100mg to 200mg orally 3 times daily as needed. Max dose is 600mg per day and max single dose is 200mg
Other Names for Benzonatate
Brand Names
- Tessalon Perles (gelcaps)
- Zonatuss or Tessalon Capsules
- Benzonatato
- Benzonatatum
- Benzononantin
- Benzononatine
- Exangit
- Tesalon
- Tessalin
- Ventussin
Generic Name
Lawsuits & Legal Information for Benzonatate
