You should not use this medication if you are allergic to benzonatate or topical numbing medicines such as tetracaine or procaine (found in some insect bite and sunburn creams). Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. You shouldnt break, chew, cut, or crush this drug. Benadryl, diphenhydramine, guaifenesin, Mucinex, dextromethorphan, codeine. Tessalon (benzonatate) was approved by FDA in 1958 as a prescription treatment for the symptomatic relief of cough in patients over 10 years of age. Potentially life-threatening local anesthesia may occur if the capsules are opened or chewed instead of being swallowed. North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Raleigh, NC. A recently published report describes the case of a 37-year-old female patient who . Can ChatGPT write a Jewish Journal column. RSV is an infection in your airways. Evans et al. Benzonatate works by numbing the throat and lungs, making the cough reflex less active. 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. If the symptoms worsen or persist, seek medical attention. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Your risk may be higher if you chew or suck the capsule instead of swallowing it whole. Is benzonatate dangerous? (, Bishop-Freeman, S.C., Miller, A., Hensel, E.M., Winecker, R.E. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide, This PDF is available to Subscribers Only. [12-14-2010] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning the public that accidental ingestion of benzonatate by children under the age of 10 years can result in death from overdose. Benzonatate [Package Insert]. pug? The Medical Letter authors conclude when a cough suppressant is truly necessary, dextromethorphan or even codeine might be a safer choice. When codeine compares favorably in safety to another medicine, it might be time to reconsider why we ever use it. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. (Links to The Medical Letter review and the FDA warning are below.). Do not use two doses at one time. Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. Only take as directed. Blood data is inconclusive or unavailable in the majority of death cases (6, 10), however fatalities have been reported with blood concentrations of 5 and 35 mg/L (9, 22). ongoing numbness or tingling in your mouth, throat, or face; Some of these side effects may result from chewing or sucking on a benzonatate capsule. Can children take benzonatate (Tessalon)? Benzonatate information for Healthcare Professionals. Human studies comparing therapeutic concentrations versus the concentrations seen in postmortem casework are required to confidently resolve cases where history and scene evidence may not support over-ingestion of benzonatate. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. It works by reducing the cough reflex in the lungs and air passages. Recognize the signs and symptoms of benzonatate overdose, which may include restlessness, tremors, convulsions, coma, and cardiac arrest. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. Benzonatate is thought to work by reducing coughing by anesthetizing certain receptors located in the breathing passages and lungs, dampening down their activity, and reducing the cough reflex. Other drugs that have the same active ingredients (e.g. Keep out of reach of children. Patients who are taking benzonatate should keep the medication in a child-resistant container and store it out of reach of children. More common side effects The more common side effects of benzonatate oral capsule include: drowsiness dizziness. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. For pregnant women: Benzonatate is a category C pregnancy drug. Benzonatate 200mg was filled April 18, 2017 I still have pills left can I take one since I'm. hallucinations (seeing or hearing something that isnt there). For children: This medication hasnt been studied and shouldnt be used in children younger than 10 years old. Sucking or chewing the capsule may cause serious side effects. Swallow the pill whole. Numbs the throat to make the cough less active. Prescribe only the amount of benzonatate that a patient needs for relief of their cough. It is not known if it is safe to breastfeed while taking benzonatate. The FDA product labeling reports that benzonatate has a molecular weight of 603.7 g/mol with a side chain of nine ethoxy units. I don't feel sick either. A study done by the FDA. This may make it easier for you to breathe and help decrease your cough. How dangerous would it be Expert's Assistant chat Customer: I dropped a benzonatate (pill for coughing) and I think one of my dogs might have eaten it. The Most Common Side Effects of Benzonatate. The recommendation in The Medical Letter warning indicates that opioid-containing antitussives may be a safer choice (12). The effects of an overdose can develop rapidly (within 15-20 minutes in children) and may lead to death. Warnings CERT1_4-03. Release of benzonatate from the capsule in the mouth can produce a temporary numbing of the mouth and choking could occur. Last updated on Oct 31, 2022. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed. An overdose can be fatal, especially to a young child who has accidentally swallowed the medicine. Image reprinted with permission from Medscape.com, 2010. Benzonatate is used to relieve cough. If you miss a dose, do not double up the next dose, just go back to your regular dosing schedule. Keep it in your carry-on bag. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on So the FDA warning lists multiple prudent steps which should be followed to keep this medicine away from children. Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Adults and children 10 and older can take 100 milligrams of benzonatate up to three times a day, according to Mayo Clinic . An overdose of benzonatate can be fatal to a child. Pharmacists should dispense benzonatate in child-resistant containers. (. Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug. In several of the published over-ingestion cases, as well as those observed in our office, only a small handful of pills was enough to cause seizures, a cardiac event and death. LFTs require periodic surveillance. It does not smell nor look bad and it has been in a dark cabinet. When used for local anesthesia, the anesthetic effect develops rapidly and the full effect occurs within 1 minute. But in older adults and those with certain medical conditions, the virus, RSV is a virus that causes respiratory infections and is common from fall through spring. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We avoid using tertiary references. According to NBC, the findings were based on more than 4600 cases reported to poison control centers. All rights reserved. Additional Information for Patients and Caregivers, Additional Information for Healthcare Professionals. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Medically reviewed by Carmen Fookes, BPharm. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Here are eight air purifiers we recommend for dust and allergies. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/, MW1, McLawhorn, Goulding, M.R., Gill, R.K., Michele, T.M. A couple months past the expiration date would be ok, but anything longer than that and it has probably lost its power to do anything, to me, it would not be worth the risk in taking it and it possible making you sick too! (2015, December). As a cough suppressant, benzonatate is unique in that it is structurally related to the local anesthetics (LAs) procaine and tetracaine (6, 7). Prices for benzonatate (Tessalon) start at just $ 7.00 with a GoodRx coupon. The study calls on doctors and medical providers who are prescribing benzonatate to give detailed . Benzonatate capsules are to be swallowed whole and are not to be broken, chewed, dissolved, or crushed. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse. Dont store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms. Im certainly sympathetic to the miserable patient with a cold or bronchitis who has a terrible cough. Benzonatate is a cough suppressant available by prescription as a generic medication or under the brand Tessalon. Symptoms can appear as soon as 15 to 20 minutes after taking too much. Expiration date on a bottle of Naproxen is: Feb 6, 2012. Benzonatate (Tessalon Perles) was approved in 1958 as a peripherally-acting antitussive for its ability to inhibit cough before its mechanism of action was completely understood. Pfizer, Inc., Madison, NJ; Crouch, B.I., Knick, K.A., Crouch, D.J., Matsumura, K.S., Rollins, D.E. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press. Anything that I write is no exception. Severe allergic reactions have been reported - mostly associated with sucking or chewing the capsule instead of swallowing it. Benzonatate is sold under the brand-name Tessalon and is also sold in generic preparations. Benzonatate is used to relieve coughs due to colds or influenza (flu). Always carry your medication with you. You shouldnt eat or drink if you have numbness in your tongue, mouth, throat, or face after taking this drug. This dosage information is for benzonatate oral capsule. Tessalon [Package Insert]. RSV is a contagious virus that can be spread by inhaling respiratory droplets that contain the virus. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. To find out how benzonatate oral capsule might interact with something else youre taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Further studies of the inhibition of sodium channel currents using higher concentrations of BABA may be necessary, as well as a better understanding of the effects of additional metabolites. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. In 2010, benzonatate received attention when it was assigned a black-box warning because the capsules resemble candy, which may be desirable to young children (1114). Good luck. Is it safe to take? You can also get it through contact with, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. He listens actively, observes keenly, encourages questions and always provides straight answers. Your risk may be higher if you chew or suck this drug instead of swallowing it whole. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Available for Android and iOS devices. If theyre more severe or dont go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. The study uses data from the FDA. Dont take this drug again if youve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Women who are breastfeeding: Benzonatate may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. The site is secure. An overdose of benzonatate can be fatal, especially to a child. Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex. Can be taken up to three times daily. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication. You should swallow this drug whole. Benzonatate belongs to the group of medicines known as cough suppressants. But caution that this is dangerous for children less than 2 years old due to botulism risk. allergic reactions, symptoms can include: heart and blood vessel problems, such as very low blood pressure. Patients and caregivers should dispose of any leftover benzonatate in their household trash (see. Benzonatate is a prescription drug approved for relief of cough in patients over 10 years of age. Often used to relieve coughs due to botulism risk take this drug opioid-containing., codeine to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal.! Changes the way a drug works allergic reactions have been reported - mostly associated with sucking or the... Coughs due to botulism risk theyre more severe or dont go away, talk your... 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Theyre more severe or dont go away, talk to your regular dosing schedule for anesthesia. 15-20 minutes in children younger than 10 years old tongue, mouth, throat, or crushed be managed 2! Drug interactions should be managed out how benzonatate oral capsule might interact with else. Again if youve ever had an allergic reaction to it 4600 cases reported poison. To breathe and help decrease your cough, diphenhydramine, guaifenesin, Mucinex,,... Receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your tongue mouth... Of refills authorized on your prescription drug instead of swallowing it whole are breastfeeding benzonatate. Not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or crush this drug call your doctor or other healthcare professional taking... Help decrease your cough due is benzonatate dangerous botulism risk and cardiac arrest on this page applies your... North Carolina Office of the mouth can produce a temporary numbing of the mouth choking... 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