Benzonatate, Oral Capsule
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not take more than 200 milligrams at one time. Taking more benzonatate than prescribed will not make your cough go away faster but may result in serious side effects.
Benzonatate – Uses, Side Effects, and More
This medication is used to treat coughs caused by the common cold and other breathing problems (such as pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, asthma). It works by reducing the reflex in the lungs that causes the urge to cough.Use of this medication is not recommended in children younger than 10 years. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
How to use Benzonatate
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 3 times daily as needed or as directed by your doctor.
Swallow this medication whole. Do not chew, suck, or dissolve this medication in your mouth. Doing so will cause a loss of feeling in your mouth/throat and may cause choking or a severe allergic reaction. (See also Side Effects section.) Do not eat or drink until the numbness goes away. Get medical help right away if the numbness lasts or gets worse.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not take more than 200 milligrams at one time. Taking more benzonatate than prescribed will not make your cough go away faster but may result in serious side effects.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
Side Effects
Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach upset, constipation, and stuffy nose may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes, loss of feeling in the chest, burning in the eyes.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. The possibility of an allergic reaction may increase if you chew, suck, or dissolve this medication in your mouth. Get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing, fainting.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before taking benzonatate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to certain anesthetic agents (such as procaine, tetracaine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Benzonatate, Oral Capsule
Benzonatate oral capsule is a prescription drug that’s available as a brand-name drug called Tessalon. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version.
Benzonatate also comes as an oral perle (smaller capsule).
Why it’s used
Benzonatate is used to relieve coughing. It starts working about 15–20 minutes after you swallow it. Its effects last for 3–8 hours.
Benzonatate may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.
How it works
Benzonatate belongs to a class of drugs called antitussive agents. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
Benzonatate works by numbing the receptors in your airways that cause you to cough. This makes you cough less after taking the drug.
Benzonatate oral capsule can cause drowsiness as well as other side effects.
More common side effects
The more common side effects of benzonatate oral capsule include:
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- headaches
- constipation
- nausea
- upset stomach
- breakouts
- nasal congestion
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
- allergic reactions, symptoms can include:
- trouble breathing
- swelling or tightness in your throat
- heart and blood vessel problems, such as very low blood pressure. This may cause you to feel dizzy or faint.
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.
An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help prevent interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking.
To find out how benzonatate oral capsule might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.
This drug comes with several warnings.
Numbness
Call your doctor if you have numbness of your tongue, mouth, throat, or face that doesn’t go away or gets worse.
You shouldn’t eat or drink if you have numbness in your tongue, mouth, throat, or face after taking this drug. Once the numbness goes away, you can eat and drink.
Allergies
Benzonatate can cause a severe allergic reaction. Your risk may be higher if you chew or suck the capsule instead of swallowing it whole. Symptoms can include:
- trouble breathing
- swelling or tightness in your throat
- heart and blood vessel problems, such as very low blood pressure. This may cause you to feel dizzy or faint.
If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).
Warnings for certain groups
For pregnant women: Benzonatate is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:
- Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
- There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus.
Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should be used only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.
Women who are breastfeeding: Benzonatate may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.
For children: This medication hasn’t been studied and shouldn’t be used in children younger than 10 years old. Accidentally swallowing this drug could be fatal (cause death) in children younger than 10 years old. Keep this drug away from young children.
This dosage information is for benzonatate oral capsule. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:
- your age
- the condition being treated
- how severe your condition is
- other medical conditions you have
- how you react to the first dose
Forms and strengths
Generic: Benzonatate
Brand: Tessalon
Dosage to relieve coughing
Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)
Take 100–200 mg three times per day as needed for your cough. The maximum dosage is 600 mg per day.
Child dosage (ages 11 to 17 years)
Take 100–200 mg three times per day as needed for your cough. The maximum dosage is 600 mg per day.
Child dosage (ages 0 to 10 years)
This medication hasn’t been studied and shouldn’t be used in children younger than 10 years old.
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.
Benzonatate oral capsule is typically used for short-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.
If you don’t take it at all: Your coughing will continue.
If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Your risk may be higher if you chew or suck this drug instead of swallowing it whole. Symptoms can appear as soon as 15 to 20 minutes after taking too much. Symptoms of an overdose include:
- choking
- breathing problems
- feeling restless
- shakiness
- seizures
- brain swelling
- stopping of your heart
- coma (being unconscious for a long time)
- death
If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
How to tell if the drug is working: You shouldn’t cough as much. This drug starts working about 15 to 20 minutes after you swallow it. Its effects last for 3 to 8 hours.
Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes benzonatate oral capsule for you.
General
- You can take benzonatate with or without food.
- You should swallow this drug whole. Don’t break, chew, cut, or crush this medication.
- Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it.
Storage
- Store benzonatate at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C). Keep it as close to 77°F (25°C) as you can.
- Keep this drug away from light.
- Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.
Refills
A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.
Travel
When traveling with your medication:
- Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
- Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
- You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you.
- Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.
Clinical monitoring
You and your doctor should monitor certain health issues. This can help make sure you stay safe while you take this drug. These issues include:
- Cough. Call your doctor if your cough isn’t getting better.
There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
Last medically reviewed on November 9, 2015