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Tesalon: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Tesalon - General Information

Tesalon is a non-narcotic oral antitussive (cough suppressant) drug which works by anesthetizing the tissues of the lungs and pleura responsible for the cough reflex. It is chemically related to other ester anesthetics such as procaine. It has an anesthetic (numbing) action similar to that of benzocaine and "numbs" the stretch sensors in the lungs. It is the stretching of these sensors with breathing that causes the cough. It was approved by the FDA in 1958

 

Pharmacology of Tesalon

Tesalon, a non-narcotic antitussive agent chemically related to tetracaine and other ester-type local anesthetics, is used to suppress cough associated with both acute and chronic respiratory conditions.

 

Tesalon for patients

Release of benzonatate from the softgel in the mouth can produce a temporary local anesthesia of the oral mucosa and choking could occur. Therefore, the softgels should be swallowed without chewing.

 

Tesalon Interactions

No information provided.

 

Tesalon Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to benzonatate or related compounds.

 

Additional information about Tesalon

Tesalon Indication: For the symptomatic relief of cough Mechanism Of Action: Tesalon acts peripherally, anesthetizing the stretch receptors of vagal afferent fibers in the alveoli of the lungs, bronchi, and pleura. When applied locally, Tesalon binds within the intracellular portion of voltage-gated sodium channels, decreasing the rate of membrane depolarization and increasing the threshold for electrical excitability. Drug Interactions: Not Available Food Interactions: Take without regard to meals. Generic Name: Benzonatate Synonyms: Benzonatato [Inn-Spanish]; Benzonatatum [Inn-Latin]; Benzononatine Drug Category: Antitussives Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved Other Brand Names containing Benzonatate: Benzononantin; Exangit; Tesalon; Tessalin; Tessalon; Tessalon Perles; Tessalon-Ciba; Ventussin; Ventussin-Loz; Absorption: Not Available Toxicity (Overdose): Restlessness, tremors, seizures and unconsciousness. Protein Binding: Not Available Biotransformation: Benzonatate is hydrolyzed to para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) by plasma esterases Half Life: 3-8 hours Dosage Forms of Tesalon: Capsule Oral Chemical IUPAC Name: 2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethyl 4-butylaminobenzoate Chemical Formula: C30H53NO11 Benzonatate on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzonatate Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals