Benzonatate
Benzonatate is considered a reliable non-narcotic drug for cough relief. The cough reflex becomes active when people get affected by a cold or cough. The medicine helps numb the throat and lungs during this time to bring down the reflex. The air passages and lungs get some relief as the reflex action minimizes. As a result, people suffering from excessive cough earlier, start to cough less. The medicine is classified as a part of cold suppressants and antitussives. Patients facing multiple coughing episodes or experiencing excessive uneasiness in their throats get noticeable relief after taking the medicine.
Brand Name: Tessalon, Benzonatate
Generic Name: Benzonatate
Drug Class: Antissusives, Cold-supprasants
DESCRIPTION
Benzonatate works directly on the respiratory passage, lungs, and pleura. The stretch receptors located peripherally in the passage are heavily affected when a person gets cold. The stretch receptors get highly active and as a result, people often experience itchiness in the throat. The medicine is meant to dampen the activities of these organs. As a result, the cough reflex gets minimized automatically.
The common misconception regarding Benzonatate suggests that this medicine is effective for all sorts of coughs, which is not right. The medicine only works for relieving the cough that persists after a patient gets affected by influenza or any other flu. It does not work the same way for people who are suffering from chronic cough due to asthma, smoking, or emphysema. When there is a huge amount of phlegm or mucus present in the cough, Benzonatate cannot relieve you.
The medicine is also not recommended to people who are already suffering from certain health issues. For instance, Benzonatate should not be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Similarly, if you are suffering from liver or kidney disease, you should refrain from taking the medicine. If you often suffer from allergic reactions to cold medicines, you should reconsider taking a professional healthcare provider’s advice before taking Benzonatate.
Uses
HOW TO USE
The medicine has to be taken by mouth with a glass of water along with it. The instructions will be written on the prescription label. Read it carefully before starting to take it. Make sure you don’t chew, crush, or break the capsule in the mouth other than swallowing it with water as it may lead to some serious side effects that you might not have anticipated. The medicine is often recommended to children as well. However, it is not suitable for children below 11 years. The dosage for children will certainly differ from that of the adults. So, it’s important to talk to your doctor before giving Benzonatate to children.
In case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. However, if the time for the next dose is not very far away, you can skip the missed dose and focus on taking the next dose. You don’t need to add any extra dose to that.
In case of overdose, you may face serious symptoms like breathing issues, choking, seizures, brain swelling, and even some emergency conditions. So, follow the right dosage rule. In case of overdose, you will start experiencing the symptoms within 15-20 minutes. And, if everything goes fine and you get the required relief from the cough, consider that the medicine is working the way it should.
Dosage
For Adults
Adults can take 100-200mg of Benzonatate per dose. You can take the same amount three times a day. The maximum dose of Benzonatate is 600 mg/ day. Exceeding that dose will be considered as an overdose. In case, the patient is actively coughing, consider taking the medicine three times a day for quick relief.
For Children (11-17 years)
Get the Benzonatate meant for pediatric use. Daily 100-200 mg capsules can be given to children per dose when the child is actively coughing. Just like the dosage limit for adults, children should also not be given more than 600 mg capsules a day.
Remember that, the lifespan of Benzonatate’s single dose is 3-8 hours. And, it should start working on reducing your cough reflex within 30 minutes of intake.
Side Effect
Benzonatate leaves you with some standard side effects that don’t require medical attention if things remain in control. Some of those side effects are -
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Stomach upset/constipation
- Headache
- Nasal Congestion
- Breakouts
- Nausea
In case, the medicine does not suit you or reacts negatively in your body you may experience certain side effects that require immediate medical attention. Those side effects include -
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Sudden blood-pressure drop
- Burning sensation in the eyes
- Chest numbness
- Breathing trouble