Benzonatate Capsules

What is this medication?

BENZONATATE (ben ZOE na tate) is used to relieve cough. It works by calming your cough reflex. It belongs to a group of medications called cough suppressants.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Tessalon Perles, Zonatuss

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Kidney or liver disease
• An unusual or allergic reaction to benzonatate, anesthetics, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Avoid breaking, chewing, or sucking the capsule, as this can cause serious side effects. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take your medication more often than directed.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 10 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your care team if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse. If you have a high fever, skin rash, or headache, see your care team.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Confusion
• Hallucinations

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Burning or tingling of the tongue, mouth, throat, or face
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep tightly closed. Protect from light and moisture. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What is benzonatate used for?

Benzonatate treats a cough by calming your cough reflex and suppressing (stopping) your cough. This makes benzonatate different from an expectorant, which doesn’t stop you from coughing but makes your cough more productive (it brings up mucus).

Benzonatate requires a prescription from a healthcare provider. Don’t take benzonatate — or any medication — that a provider prescribed for someone else.

Use this medication exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. You must always swallow the capsule whole. Don’t crush, chew or dissolve the capsule in your mouth. Doing so allows the contents of the capsule to touch your mouth and throat. This may numb your mouth and throat, leading you to choke.

Never use benzonatate to treat a child’s cough unless their healthcare provider prescribes it specifically for them. Benzonatate is only safe for children age 10 and older. Even then, be sure to carefully follow dosing instructions. Don’t let your child take the medication on their own. And be sure to keep benzonatate and all other medications out of reach of children.

Signs of benzonatate overdose

Signs of overdose include:

• Restlessness
• Tremors (trembling or shaking)
• Seizures
• Passing out
• Chest pain

Accidental and intentional overdoses of benzonatate can cause serious harm or death in children and adults. If you suspect an overdose, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (U.S.). An expert is available 24/7 to help. If the person collapses, stops breathing or won’t wake up, call 911 (or your local emergency service number) instead.

Does benzonatate make your cough go away?

When taken as prescribed, benzonatate may help your cough go away for a while. You should start feeling relief about 15 to 20 minutes after taking a dose. This relief may last anywhere from three to eight hours.

Keep in mind that prescription cough medications aren’t always necessary. You may be able to find relief with over-the-counter (OTC) medications or home remedies like a cool-mist humidifier. Talk to a healthcare provider about what’s right for you.

What should you do if you miss a dose of benzonatate?

Take the missed dose as soon as you think about it. If the dose is close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the normal time. Do NOT take two doses at the same time.

How should I store this medication?

Store benzonatate at room temperature. But don’t store it in your bathroom.

What drugs should not be taken with benzonatate?

Benzonatate may not be safe to take along with:

• Psychotropic medications. This is a large category of medications that treat mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. There’s a slight chance benzonatate may cause side effects like confusion, hallucinations or other changes to your mental awareness. So, it may not be safe to take benzonatate along with psychotropic medications, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, that affect your mind. Your provider will advise you according to the medications you’re taking.
• Medications that cause drowsiness. Benzonatate may make you sleepy. So, you shouldn’t take it along with any other medications that can also cause sleepiness. These include sedatives and over-the-counter cold medications. 

Be cautious while using heavy machinery or driving if you experience drowsiness while taking benzonatate.

Talk to a healthcare provider about any and all substances you’re taking. These include:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medications
• Nutritional supplements
• Herbal supplements
• Alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs

Don’t try to decide on your own if benzonatate is safe for you. Your provider will decide based on the medications and/or substances you’re taking and your medical history. Follow their guidance closely.

Is benzonatate a steroid?

No, benzonatate isn’t a steroid (corticosteroid). It’s a cough suppressant, or what healthcare providers call an antitussive medication. It calms the cough reflex in your airways.

Is benzonatate a narcotic?

No, benzonatate isn’t a narcotic (opioid). Healthcare providers classify benzonatate as a non-narcotic cough suppressant.