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Benzonatate

  • Generic Name: benzonatate softgels
  • Brand Name: Benzonatate

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    • Benzonatate Patient Information Including Side Effects

    Brand Names: Tessalon, Tessalon Perles, Zonatuss

    Generic Name: benzonatate

    What is benzonatate (Tessalon, Tessalon Perles, Zonatuss)?

    Benzonatate is used to relieve coughing.

    Benzonatate is a non-narcotic cough medicine that numbs the throat and lungs, making the cough reflex less active.

    Benzonatate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

    What are the possible side effects of benzonatate (Tessalon, Tessalon Perles, Zonatuss)?

    Stop taking this medicine and get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

    Call your doctor at once if you have:

    • severe drowsiness or dizziness;
    • confusion, hallucinations.
    • ongoing numbness or tingling in your mouth, throat, or face;
    • numbness in your chest;
    • a choking feeling;
    • chills; or
    • burning in your eyes.

    Some of these side effects may result from chewing or sucking on a benzonatate capsule.

    Common side effects may include:

    • headache, dizziness;
    • nausea, upset stomach;
    • constipation;
    • itching, rash; or
    • stuffy nose.

    This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    What is the most important information I should know about benzonatate (Tessalon, Tessalon Perles, Zonatuss)?

    Never suck or chew on a benzonatate capsule. Swallow the pill whole. Sucking or chewing the capsule may cause serious side effects.

    Benzonatate is not approved for use by anyone younger than 10 years old. An overdose of benzonatate can be fatal to a young child.

    Benzonatate Patient Information including How Should I Take

    What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking benzonatate (Tessalon, Tessalon Perles, Zonatuss)?

    You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to benzonatate or topical numbing medicines such as tetracaine or procaine (found in some insect bite and sunburn creams).

    Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

    Benzonatate is not approved for use by anyone younger than 10 years old. An overdose of benzonatate can be fatal, especially to a young child who has accidentally swallowed the medicine.

    How should I take benzonatate (Tessalon, Tessalon Perles, Zonatuss)?

    Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

    Never suck or chew on a benzonatate capsule. Swallow the pill whole. Sucking or chewing the capsule may cause serious side effects.

    Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

    Benzonatate Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

    What happens if I miss a dose (Tessalon, Tessalon Perles, Zonatuss)?

    Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

    What happens if I overdose (Tessalon, Tessalon Perles, Zonatuss)?

    Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of benzonatate can be fatal, especially to a child. Accidental death has occurred in children under 10 years old.

    Overdose symptoms may include tremors, feeling restless, seizure (convulsions), slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, and slow breathing (breathing may stop).

    What should I avoid while taking benzonatate (Tessalon, Tessalon Perles, Zonatuss)?

    Avoid eating or drinking anything while you feel numbness or tingling in your mouth or throat.

    What other drugs will affect benzonatate (Tessalon, Tessalon Perles, Zonatuss)?

    Using benzonatate with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

    Other drugs may affect benzonatate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

    Where can I get more information (Tessalon, Tessalon Perles, Zonatuss)?

    Your pharmacist can provide more information about benzonatate.

    Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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