Benzonatate Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Benzonatate Capsule (generic name: benzonatate) is a non-narcotic antitussive used to relieve dry, non-productive cough in adults and children over 10 years of age. It works by numbing stretch receptors in the lungs and airways to reduce the urge to cough. It is a prescription-only capsule that must be swallowed whole, available in 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg strengths.

What is Benzonatate Capsule

Benzonatate is a prescription medicine taken by mouth to relieve cough. It is not a steroid or narcotic, and it is not an antibiotic. It is approved for people age 10 and older.

Benzonatate Capsule uses

• Relief of dry, non-productive cough in adults and children over 10 years of age
• Cough caused by conditions such as the common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis
• Soothing irritation and inflammation in the throat and airways caused by persistent coughing

Benefits of Benzonatate Capsule

• Helps suppress cough
• Reduces the urge to cough
• Can help with dry or irritating coughs
• Provides non-opioid cough suppression

How Benzonatate Capsule works

Benzonatate numbs certain stretch receptors in the lungs, airways, and lining around the lungs. This reduces the signals sent to the brain that trigger the cough reflex, so the urge to cough is lessened.

Benzonatate Capsule dosage

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Always swallow the capsule whole — never chew, crush, suck on, or dissolve it in your mouth, since this can release the medicine too fast and numb your mouth and throat, which may cause choking. It can be taken with or without food; if it upsets your stomach, try taking it with food. Take doses at regular intervals and do not take it more often than your provider tells you to.

If numbness or tingling develops in your mouth, throat, tongue, or face after taking a dose, do not eat or drink until the numbness goes away completely. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose — never take two doses at once to make up for a missed one. This medicine is not recommended for children younger than 10 years old.

Available forms and strengths

• Liquid-filled capsule (100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg strengths)

Side effects of Benzonatate Capsule

Common

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Upset stomach
• Rash or itching
• Nasal congestion
• Burning or tingling of the tongue, mouth, throat, or face

Serious

• Severe allergic reactions such as hives, swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat, and difficulty breathing
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Confusion
• Hallucinations (seeing things that are not there)
• Numbness in the mouth, throat, or chest, with a choking sensation
• Seizures, restlessness, tremors, or shakiness in the arms, legs, hands, or feet
• Loss of consciousness or no blood pressure or pulse
• Stopping of the heart or abnormal heart rhythms

Warnings and precautions

• Chewing, crushing, sucking, or dissolving the capsule in your mouth can numb your mouth and throat very quickly, which can cause choking or severe allergic reactions like swelling of the throat and trouble breathing.
• Benzonatate can rarely cause confusion or hallucinations, especially if taken along with other medicines that affect concentration.
• This medicine is dangerous for children under 10 and can cause fatal overdose if they swallow it accidentally. Keep it stored well out of their reach. Overdose symptoms can begin within 15 to 20 minutes.
• Taking too much benzonatate, even just a few capsules, can be life-threatening, causing seizures, dangerous heart rhythm problems, or cardiac arrest.
• This medicine should not be combined with MAOI medicines.
• There is not enough research on benzonatate's safety in pregnancy. It should only be used in pregnancy if your doctor decides the benefits are greater than the risks, and you should talk with your doctor before use.
• It isn't known if benzonatate passes into breast milk or how it might affect a nursing baby, so it should be used cautiously while breastfeeding, weighing the benefits of breastfeeding against possible risks to the infant.
• There are no specific dose changes established for people with kidney problems, but the medicine should be used carefully since its safety in kidney disease isn't well studied and side effects like dizziness or sedation could be worse.
• There are no specific dose changes established for people with liver problems. Because there isn't much clinical experience in people with liver disease, benzonatate should be used cautiously.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, since it can increase drowsiness, dizziness, and other side effects.
• This medicine can affect coordination, reaction time, and judgment, so avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store benzonatate capsules at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C), ideally close to 77°F (25°C)
• Keep the medication in its tightly closed original container, protected from light and moisture
• Do not store benzonatate in damp or humid places, such as bathrooms
• Keep benzonatate out of reach and sight of children and pets, preferably in a child-resistant container
• Avoid freezing the medication
• Dispose of unused or expired benzonatate properly, following local guidelines or pharmacy take-back programs

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you or your child shows signs of overdose, such as confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, restlessness, trembling or shakiness in the arms, legs, hands, or feet, or no pulse or blood pressure.
• Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice hives, a rash, swelling of the lips or tongue, dizziness, or difficulty breathing after taking this medicine.
• Contact your provider right away if you or a loved one notices confusion or hallucinations while taking this medicine.
• If part of the capsule opens in your mouth and causes numbness, don't eat or drink anything until the numbness goes away, and get medical help if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.
• If you think you or someone else has taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or go to an emergency room right away.

Alternatives

• Dextromethorphan
• Guaifenesin
• Honey for cough in children over 1 year
• Saline/humidification measures