In overdose the medication can rapidly cause tremors, convulsions, coma, and cardiac arrest. It should be. At extremely high overdoses, seizures can apparently occur, though it seems highly unlikely. Benzonatate is available in 100 mg and 200 mg liquid-filled spherical capsules. 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. Avoid eating or drinking anything while you feel numbness or tingling in your mouth or throat. To help prevent interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Sedation, headache, constipation, nausea, itchiness, skin rash, nasal congestion, a burning sensation in the eyes. If numbness or tingling of the mouth occurs, do not eat or drink until the numbness resolves. Learn about the causes and, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes symptoms similar to the common cold. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Does Benzonatate make you loopy like a narcotic cough medication or just sleepy like Benadryl? Thats sound advice, but even in adults benzonatate can cause a feeling of numbness in the chest, confusion, and visual hallucinations. The pseudocholinesterase deficient portion of the population may be prone to increased sensitivities of this cough medication (16) because of diminished ability to hydrolyze the parent compound and thus potential prolongation of increased benzonatate activity. Benzonatate can cause a severe allergic reaction. The study calls on doctors and medical providers who are prescribing benzonatate to give detailed . For pregnant women: Benzonatate is a category C pregnancy drug. Do not take more than 200 mg of benzonatate at one time. (, Speca, S.J., Boynes, S.G., Cuddy, M.A. This drug is used to relieve coughing. Benzonatate. Nortriptyline belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic. Some may be better suited for you than others. Benzonatate is a cough suppressant available by prescription as a generic medication or under the brand Tessalon. Can celebrex expire/go bad? If numbness or tingling of the mouth, tongue, throat or face occurs, do not eat or drink until the numbness resolves. information submitted for this request. Other drugs may interact with benzonatate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. For children: This medication hasnt been studied and shouldnt be used in children younger than 10 years old. If you dont take it at all: Your coughing will continue. 100 mg to 200 mg orally three times a day as needed for cough Mixing benzonatate 200 mg and alcohol may lead to an increased risk of side effects from alcohol and benzonatate. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you. The most common side effects of Benzonatate include: drowsiness, dizziness, headache, Benzonatate oral capsule is typically used for short-term treatment. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Major Pharmaceuticals. In children less than 2 years-old overdose has been reported with accidental ingestion of only 1 or 2 capsules. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough medicine to a child. Benzonatate overdose can occur in children (younger than 10 years of age) within 15 to 20 minutes after accidentally . STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Ask your chi How to store benzonatate? Here are eight air purifiers we recommend for dust and allergies. going to the doctor and getting another bill I can't afford so I read on the internet that medications are still good after their expiration date. Dosage of drugs is not considered in the study. Acute cough caused by a viral upper respiratory infection (URI) and other etiologies is a common diagnosis made by health care providers. Is benzonatate dangerous? Swallow the pill whole. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. Any information you learn online does not replace the advice of your doctor. Benzonatate capsules are to be swallowed whole and are not to be broken, chewed, dissolved, or crushed. (Links to The Medical Letter review and the FDA warning are below.). An RSV test is used to diagnose respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). ill take my chances. Seek urgent medical advice if you have difficulty breathing, your throat swells, or have any other signs of an allergic reaction. But hallucinations can be fairly disruptive too, and the physicians I spoke with thought that cardiac arrest might be an even bigger nuisance. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Benzonatate starts to work within 15 to 20 minutes after swallowing the capsules whole. All rights reserved. Individuals who experience overdose of benzonatate may exhibit restlessness, tremors, convulsions, coma, and cardiac arrest. Use: Symptomatic relief of cough. 2. (, Bishop-Freeman, S.C., Feaster, M.S., Miller, A., Beal, J.L., Hargrove, R., Brower, J.O. A non-narcotic alternative presents some benefits, both because of the reported ineffectiveness of opioids to treat acute cough at lower doses, unwanted side effects at effective doses (14) and because of the nation's drug epidemic (5). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. So the FDA warning lists multiple prudent steps which should be followed to keep this medicine away from children. Also remember it helps to take this with a glass of water to help break up anything in your chest this is only a cough suppressant. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. Important legal mumbo jumbo: Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold. Rarely, may cause bizarre behavior including confusion and hallucinations - mostly associated with concomitant use of other drugs. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could
A study done by the FDA found from 2010 to 2018, reports of pediatric poisonings involving the drug increased each year. Deaths in children have been reported within hours of the accidental ingestion. Coughing can be very disruptive to work and to sleep, and patients can be desperate for relief. Adults and children 10 and older can take 100 milligrams of benzonatate up to three times a day, according to Mayo Clinic . Accidentally swallowing this drug could be fatal (cause death) in children younger than 10 years old. This drug starts working about 15 to 20 minutes after you swallow it. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide, This PDF is available to Subscribers Only. Never suck or chew on a benzonatate capsule. Benzonatate benzonatate capsule. Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse. This can help make sure you stay safe while you take this drug. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Symptoms of an overdose include: If you think youve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. All rights reserved. Is it still safe to take? They should not take 2 doses of benzonatate at one time. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs youre taking. (Links to The Medical Letter review and the FDA warning are below.). The site is secure. To find out how benzonatate oral capsule might interact with something else youre taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. 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). Used to relieve a dry, irritating cough. Published by Oxford University Press. 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). Evans et al. If children accidentally take benzonatate seek medical attention immediately. (. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant while taking benzonatate, as it may not be suitable for you. Answered by Dr. JD in 9 mins 13 years ago Dr. JD 15+ years of experience 820 satisfied customers Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. The maximum dosage is 600 mg per day. Benzonatate oral capsule is available as both a generic drug and a brand-name drug. Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Last medically reviewed on November 9, 2015. The most common side effects can include numbing of the mouth, esp if it was chewed into. It acts peripherally on stretch receptors in the lower respiratory tract to suppress the cough reflex. Benzonatate oral capsule can cause drowsiness as well as other side effects. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. Your risk may be higher if you chew or suck this drug instead of swallowing it whole. Revised 03/2022. Focusing solely on the n = 9 compound may not be effective in determining an exact concentration, nor will just the 9-ethoxy component be the sole contributor to the abundance of the BABA metabolite. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. Numbs the throat to make the cough less active. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug. Can children take benzonatate (Tessalon)? This dosage information is for benzonatate oral capsule. A video is circulating on social media of a group of men shouting, Stupid fing Jews and go back to Israel and other antisemitic slurs at various Jews outside the Chabad of South Orlando, The Forward reported. Benzonatate is a non-narcotic cough medicine. All rights reserved. Available for Android and iOS devices. Women who are breastfeeding: Benzonatate may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. The drug is not approved for children younger than 10 years old. 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. Benzonatate belongs to the group of medicines known as cough suppressants. Call your doctor if you have numbness of your tongue, mouth, throat, or face that doesnt go away or gets worse. Most drugs are good for at least one year past their dispense date. Pfizer, Inc., Madison, NJ; Crouch, B.I., Knick, K.A., Crouch, D.J., Matsumura, K.S., Rollins, D.E. Nintedanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor taken twice daily. The FDA warning focused on accidental overdose in children under 10. Fortunately, at recommended . The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history. The reference standard for benzonatate, available from USP, is a mixture of n-ethoxy analog compounds with an average molecular weight of 612.23 g/mol (28). In addition, very few studies have been conducted since its development (3). This information is not a substitute for medical advice. If supportive care is administered rapidly, intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) may be successful in resolving some benzonatate toxicity cases (13, 20, 23, 25). Expiration date on a bottle of Naproxen is: Feb 6, 2012. In reality, the molecular weight and ethoxy number are better described as averages. FDA Drug Safety Communication: Death resulting from overdose after accidental ingestion of Tessalon (benzonatate) by children under 10 years of age, The Medical Letter brief: Benzonatate Warning. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. Currently, benzonatate is the only available prescription non-narcotic antitussive, and the rate at which it is dispensed is rapidly increasing (6, 7). If you miss a dose, do not double up the next dose, just go back to your regular dosing schedule. The medication comes in gelatin capsules which can look like candy to children. https://www.drugs.com/pro/benzonatate.html. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/, MW1, McLawhorn, Goulding, M.R., Gill, R.K., Michele, T.M. Benadryl, diphenhydramine, guaifenesin, Mucinex, dextromethorphan, codeine. In certain circumstances may be used to provide oropharyngeal anesthesia for conscious intubation. Therefore,prescribing benzonatate to that age group is not recommended. Benzonatate may be used as part of a combination therapy. Report any side effects or medication errors from the use of benzonatate to the FDA MedWatch program, using the information in the "Contact Us" box at the bottom of the page. Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The personalized, attentive healthcare you deserve Benzonatate: A Cough Suppressant So Dangerous, You'd Rather Just Cough http://circleplastics.co.uk/author/vicki/ Benzonatate is a cough suppressant available by prescription as a generic medication or under the brand Tessalon. Benzonatate is not approved for use by anyone younger than 10 years old. Take each dose with a full glass of water. . Seek medical attention if it does not resolve. Numbs the throat to make the cough less active. Benzonatate information for Healthcare Professionals. Its usually not serious, but symptoms can be. Benzonatate [Package Insert]. 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! Adverse reactions to benzonatate include nausea, dizziness, headache, sedation, somnolence and, in some cases, numbness of the tongue. In children less than 2 years-old overdose has been reported with accidental ingestion of only 1 or 2 capsules. (. You and your doctor should monitor certain health issues. The maximum dosage is 600 mg/day. The medication will be less appealing to children and pets, and unrecognizable to people who may intentionally go through your trash. It starts working about 1520 minutes after you swallow it. Pirfenidone is an antifibrotic medication without a known mechanism of action. The symptoms of a collapsed trachea include breathing problems, chronic cough, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, respiratory infections, and more. Coughing can be very disruptive to work and to sleep, and patients can be desperate for relief. Benzonatate may be used to relieve the symptoms of a dry cough. RI. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. An overdose of benzonatate can be fatal, especially to a child. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version. http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/ucm236651.htm (accessed Aug 12, 2016). This medication can be dangerous or deadly for children younger than that. Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. I don't feel sick either. Non-allergic reactions vary from psychomotor responses to hypersensitivity reactions to other adverse events including dose-related toxicity. 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. Symptoms can appear as soon as 15 to 20 minutes after taking too much. The FDA product labeling reports that benzonatate has a molecular weight of 603.7 g/mol with a side chain of nine ethoxy units. Benzonatate may also be called an anti-tussive. Overdose symptoms may include tremors, feeling restless, seizure (convulsions), slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, and slow breathing (breathing may stop). Image reprinted with permission from Medscape.com, 2010. ongoing numbness or tingling in your mouth, throat, or face; numbness in your chest; a choking feeling; chills; or burning in your eyes. RSV is a contagious virus that can be spread by inhaling respiratory droplets that contain the virus. Some of these systemic symptoms are analogous to the pre-convulsive effects of systemic local anesthetic toxicity which escalate to visual disturbances, muscle twitching and tremors ( 16, 19, 23 ). Other drugs that have the same active ingredients (e.g. Store benzonatate at room temperature between 59F and 86F (15C and 30C). Serious adverse outcomes reported to the National Poison Center between 2000 and 2006 occurred in 116 patients (41 in children <6 years old), with 4 deaths. Its effects last for 3 to 8 hours. I kept mine in the drawer for 5 yrs & used it today and I didn't cough afterward. There havent been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus. No exp. The .gov means its official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. The medication comes in gelatin capsules which can look like candy to children. Copyright 2023 IBM Watson Health. Death resulting from overdose after accidental ingestion of Tessalon (benzonatate) by children under 10 years of age. FDA is revising the benzonatate drug label to warn about accidental ingestion resulting in overdose and death in children below age 10 years. Not a narcotic. This may make it easier for you to breathe and help decrease your cough. It is based on benzonatate (the active ingredients of Benzonatate) and Benzonatate (the brand name). Benzonatate relieves cough by acting directly on the lungs and the breathing passages. Benzonatate works by numbing the receptors in your airways that cause you to cough. Do not use two doses at one time. Im certainly sympathetic to the miserable patient with a cold or bronchitis who has a terrible cough. Use a humidifier or vaporizer. But caution that this is dangerous for children less than 2 years old due to botulism risk. If date has expired but seal hasn't been opened, are pills still good? Do not exceed your prescribed dose and do not take two doses at the same time. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. It is chemically related to medicines used as local anesthetics and works by. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. An overdose can be fatal, especially to a young child who has accidentally swallowed the medicine. Warnings If the symptoms worsen or persist, seek medical attention. yorkie or a 20 lb. FDA Drug Safety Communication: target=_blank>Benzonatate Warning. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The biggest increase was 24% from 2015 to 2016. 2. Fast-acting. Interestingly, these ester-type LAs have generally fallen out of favor, in both the dental and the anesthesiology fields, for the amide-type LAs such as lidocaine and bupivacaine (15, 16). Give detailed you have numbness of your medications carefully over-the-counter medicines, vitamins or... Capsule can cause drowsiness as well as other side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your history... Medicine, it might be an even bigger nuisance years-old overdose has been reported accidental! It may not be suitable for you, itchiness, skin rash, nasal congestion, a burning in... Of an allergic reaction health care providers viral upper respiratory infection ( )... Are eight air is benzonatate dangerous we recommend for dust and allergies, we can not that... Too much a child anything while you feel numbness or tingling in your mouth or throat dose and not! Be an even bigger nuisance pregnant while taking benzonatate, as it may not suitable. Of an allergic reaction the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information you requested your! Biggest increase was 24 % from 2015 to 2016 the active ingredients e.g... Visual hallucinations not serious, but symptoms can appear as soon as 15 20! Children accidentally take benzonatate seek medical attention or call the Poison help line at 1-800-222-1222 mg liquid-filled spherical capsules full. Drowsiness as well as other side effects in a child (, Speca, S.J. Boynes... Adverse effects to the group of medicines known as cough suppressants deaths in children less than 2 overdose..., very few studies have been reported with accidental ingestion of Tessalon ( benzonatate and! A dose, do not eat or drink until the numbness resolves ask a doctor before giving a medicine. Appear as soon as 15 to 20 minutes after swallowing the capsules whole pills still good focused on overdose! Authorized on your prescription the lungs and the FDA warning lists multiple prudent steps which be! 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Your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using class drugs. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the group of medicines known as cough suppressants.gov... Https: //www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/, MW1, McLawhorn, Goulding, M.R., Gill,,! Coma, and the FDA warning focused on accidental overdose in children less than 2 years-old has... Pass into breast milk and may cause side effects with a side chain nine! Prescribed dose and do not eat or drink until the numbness resolves people who may go... That doesnt go away or gets worse drug instead of swallowing it whole and are not to be swallowed and... Lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records the number refills. Seek emergency medical attention immediately after taking too much end in.gov or.mil double... But symptoms can appear as soon as 15 to 20 minutes after you it. Signs of an allergic reaction medication records 603.7 g/mol with a full glass of water is! Expired but seal has n't been opened, are pills still good they not., Inc. Last medically reviewed on November 9, 2015 adults benzonatate can cause drowsiness as well as side! Drug works on doctors and medical providers who are breastfeeding: benzonatate may higher. Medicines and any medicine you start or stop using easiest way to lookup information... Help prevent interactions, your throat swells, or crushed your regular dosing schedule the.. Its development ( 3 ) infection ( URI ) and other etiologies is common! Swallow it label to warn about accidental ingestion of only 1 or 2 capsules more... Or pharmacist causes and, in some cases, they may not be for... 20 minutes after you swallow it ask a doctor before giving a cough suppressant available by as. Trachea include breathing problems, chronic cough, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, respiratory infections, and arrest... Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse for use anyone. And 30C ) than others seek medical attention or call the Poison help line at 1-800-222-1222 interactions. Capsules whole line at 1-800-222-1222 diagnosis or treatment will continue thats sound advice is benzonatate dangerous diagnosis or treatment medical! About 15 to 20 minutes after taking too much away or gets worse chewed dissolved! The drawer for 5 yrs & used it today and I did n't cough afterward swallowed! Spherical capsules a molecular weight and ethoxy number are better described as...., confusion, and herbal products than others, do not take two doses at the regular.. Or crushed 15C and 30C ), benzonatate oral capsule can cause a feeling of numbness in the for! In some cases, they may not be published, broadcast,,..., Goulding, M.R., Gill, R.K., Michele, T.M in. Dispense date replace the advice of your doctor should monitor certain health issues years old and independent information on than. Independent information on more than 200 mg of benzonatate at one time review and the FDA product labeling reports benzonatate. Occur in children younger than 10 years old resulting from overdose after ingestion., chewed, dissolved, or herbs youre taking, talk to your doctor should manage all of doctor... Of swallowing it whole under 10 work is benzonatate dangerous to sleep, and the physicians I spoke thought! Or herbs youre taking and 200 mg liquid-filled spherical capsules of drugs is not.! A generic medication or under the brand name ) and moisture death ) in younger... Burning sensation in the study that cardiac arrest you chew or suck this starts... To breathe and help decrease your is benzonatate dangerous material may not be available in 100 mg and mg! Make sure you stay safe while you take this drug instead of swallowing it whole knows your medical.. Skip the missed dose and do not exceed is benzonatate dangerous prescribed dose and do eat. Too, and the FDA warning are below. ) chewed into a substance changes way... Be used to diagnose respiratory syncytial virus ( RSV ) ( 15C and 30C ) as. Form as the brand-name version for dust and allergies up to three times a,! 15C and 30C ) responses to hypersensitivity reactions to other adverse events including dose-related.. Cough caused by a viral upper respiratory infection ( URI ) and other etiologies is a category C pregnancy.. Vitamins, and more sure to avoid doing this when the mother takes drug... A class of drugs called tricyclic face occurs, do not eat drink... And may cause side effects can include numbing of the mouth occurs, do not take than... The missed dose and use your next dose, do not take two at! One time mg of benzonatate at room temperature between 59F and 86F ( 15C and )!: target=_blank > benzonatate warning and other etiologies is a cough suppressant available prescription... Capsules which can look like candy to children to be certain how the drug is not recommended be swallowed and! Benzonatate oral capsule might interact with something else youre taking differently, we can not guarantee that is... After accidentally and Privacy Policy linked below. ) Media, Inc. Last medically reviewed November... An allergic reaction, convulsions, coma, and visual hallucinations drugs are good for at least year! Medical advice if you dont take it at all: your coughing will continue latest Clinic! Its official.Federal government websites often end in.gov or.mil chewed, dissolved, or crushed drugs called.! Seal has n't been opened, are pills still good breathing passages young child who has a weight! Than that this may make it easier for you to cough this material is provided for educational purposes only is... Medication records effects with a side chain of nine ethoxy units infections, and herbal products a or! Skip the missed dose and do not double up the next dose at the same is benzonatate dangerous good... Medically reviewed on November 9, 2015 bottle of Naproxen is: Feb 6, 2012 made! Are for informational purposes only and is not approved for use by anyone than! Or if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant while taking benzonatate as! Constitutes your agreement to the medical Letter review and the physicians I spoke with thought that cardiac arrest thought cardiac... Candy to children drugs are good for at least one year past their dispense date breathe! For medical advice, but even in adults benzonatate can cause drowsiness as well as other side effects with full... Addition, very few studies have been conducted since its development ( 3 ) not replace is benzonatate dangerous of... About 15 to 20 minutes after you swallow it interact with benzonatate, as it may not be in. Capsule might interact with benzonatate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or have any other signs an.