The medication comes in gelatin capsules which can look like candy to children. Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse. 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. via the central nervous system) by inhibiting the transmission of the cough reflex via pathways in the brain. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history. Signs and symptoms of overdosage include tremors, convulsions, coma, and heart attack. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. 2. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. 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). The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. . They're fast, easy-to-use and free! Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine, What to Know About RSVs Seasonal Trends and Symptoms, What to know about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Tests, The 8 Best Air Purifiers for Dust of 2023, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Symptoms of a Collapsed Trachea and What They Mean. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. All rights reserved. Benzonatate is not approved for use by anyone younger than 10 years old. In overdose the medication can rapidly cause tremors, convulsions, coma, and cardiac arrest. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The most common side effects can include numbing of the mouth, esp if it was chewed into. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use benzonatate only for the indication prescribed. Benzonatate benzonatate capsule. Based on the narrow safety margin, the lack of reliable human-subject studies, and the undetermined in-house cases in North Carolina waiting for quantitation, that may be a logical assessment. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Benzonatate may also be called an anti-tussive. Be aware that the signs and symptoms of benzonatate overdose have been reported within 15-20 minutes and death has been reported within hours of ingestion. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. Benzonatate is available in 100 mg and 200 mg liquid-filled spherical capsules. An overdose of benzonatate can be fatal to a child. The recommendation in The Medical Letter warning indicates that opioid-containing antitussives may be a safer choice (12). The most common side effects of Benzonatate include: drowsiness, dizziness, headache, It is taken three times a day with food. Overdose with benzonatate in children less than 2 years of age has been reported following accidental ingestion of as few as 1 or 2 capsules. It acts peripherally on stretch receptors in the lower respiratory tract to suppress the cough reflex. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Sucking or chewing the capsule may cause serious side effects. pug? Blood data is inconclusive or unavailable in the majority of death cases (6, 10), however fatalities have been reported with blood concentrations of 5 and 35 mg/L (9, 22). Any information you learn online does not replace the advice of your doctor. Benzonatate is a cough suppressant available by prescription as a generic medication or under the brand Tessalon. Is it safe to take? FDA Drug Safety Communication: target=_blank>Benzonatate Warning. Evans et al. 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. FDA is adding new information about accidental ingestion resulting in overdose and death in children below 10 years of age to the Warnings and Precautions sections of labeling for benzonatate products to make healthcare professionals aware of this safety issue. For pregnant women: Benzonatate is a category C pregnancy drug. Medicines that interact with benzonatate may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with benzonatate. Counsel patients about how to properly dispose of leftover benzonatate after they have stopped taking the medication (see. This medication needs to be swallowed whole. Thimann, D.A., Huang, C.J., Goto, C.S., Feng, S.Y. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. No exp. Benzonatate information for Healthcare Professionals. Once the numbness goes away, you can eat and drink. Overdose symptoms may include tremors, feeling restless, seizure (convulsions), slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, and slow breathing (breathing may stop). Overdose of benzonatate has been reported in adults and adolescents. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Is it OK to take hydroxyzine hcl syrup after expiration date, and if so is it still effective? But theyve gotta be treated with respect because they are medicines that could be dangerous medicines. 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. The lack of detectable parent compound in other decedents supports rapid hydrolysis, a common trait of ester-based LAs. A recently published report describes the case of a 37-year-old female patient who . Some of these side effects may result from chewing or sucking on a capsule. This content does not have an English version. It works by reducing the cough reflex in the lungs and air passages. This means you may need to take it with other medications. The old adage, when in doubt, throw it out, really applies here! This medication hasnt been studied and shouldnt be used in children younger than 10 years old. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. In addition, they can also have effects on the gastrointestinal (GI) system. If you miss a dose of benzonatate, skip that dose and take the next dose at the next scheduled time. Tessalon (benzonatate) was approved by FDA in 1958 as a prescription treatment for the symptomatic relief of cough in patients over 10 years of age. We avoid using tertiary references. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Use a humidifier or vaporizer. The study calls on doctors and medical providers who are prescribing benzonatate to give detailed . RSV is a contagious virus. RSV is a contagious virus that can be spread by inhaling respiratory droplets that contain the virus. Benzonatate capsules are to be swallowed whole and are not to be broken, chewed, dissolved, or crushed. All accidental ingestions reported to FDA to date occurred in children less than 10 years of age (see Data Summarybelow). Some of these side effects may result from chewing or. Catalog No. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Date is it safe to take? Pfizer, Inc., Madison, NJ; Crouch, B.I., Knick, K.A., Crouch, D.J., Matsumura, K.S., Rollins, D.E. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. Like a cough medicine that will suppress restorations, so if a child gets into and they are too young, or they take too many, thats how children die," said Dr. Baggerman. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. You can also get it through contact with, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Copyright 2023 IBM Watson Health. Published by Oxford University Press. Severe allergic reactions have been reported - mostly associated with sucking or chewing the capsule instead of swallowing it. Human studies comparing therapeutic concentrations versus the concentrations seen in postmortem casework are required to confidently resolve cases where history and scene evidence may not support over-ingestion of benzonatate. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. 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). If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Benzonatate may cause serious side effects including: confusion, difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, visual hallucinations, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and wheezing Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The dose is generally anywhere from 25-100mg every 12 hours, even for small dogs. Taking too much Tessalon is dangerous. (. It is not to be used for chronic cough that occurs with smoking, asthma, or emphysema or when there is an unusually large amount of mucus or phlegm with the cough. Initial in-house studies support literature claims that stability may be problematic with this drug (as is with cocaine in whole blood). All rights reserved. no blood pressure or pulse restlessness shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet stopping of the heart trembling or shaking of the hands or feet unconsciousness Other side effects of Benzonatate Some side effects of benzonatate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. If the symptoms worsen or persist, seek medical attention. An overdose of benzonatate can be fatal, especially to a child. ongoing numbness or tingling in your mouth, throat, or face; Some of these side effects may result from chewing or sucking on a benzonatate capsule. This switch has been partially attributed to allergies associated with their particular metabolites. North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Raleigh, NC. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The more common side effects of benzonatate oral capsule include: If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Keep this drug away from young children. Advise parents and caretakers to call the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) and to seek medical attention immediately if a child accidentally ingests benzonatate. Not a narcotic. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs youre taking. Dosage of drugs is not considered in the study. +0. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. Benzonatate is a cough suppressant available by prescription as a generic medication or under the brand Tessalon. If supportive care is administered rapidly, intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) may be successful in resolving some benzonatate toxicity cases (13, 20, 23, 25). Also, qualitative identification of benzonatate has been achieved in some cases using LC/MS/MS as a result of increased sensitivity in comparison to traditional methodology. Benzonatate pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings. Use: Symptomatic relief of cough. This product is available in the following dosage forms: There is a problem with Children over 10 years old can take benzonatate (Tessalon). Common benzonatate side effects may include: This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Generally well tolerated if the capsules are swallowed whole. (, Speca, S.J., Boynes, S.G., Cuddy, M.A. [12-14-2010] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning the public that accidental ingestion of benzonatate by children under the age of 10 years can result in death from overdose. Patients who are taking benzonatate should keep the medication in a child-resistant container and store it out of reach of children. The quantities ingested ranged from 1 or 2 to 30 benzonatate capsules. In certain circumstances may be used to provide oropharyngeal anesthesia for conscious intubation. (, Understanding the Epidemic. Can benzonatate be used for a sore throat. Generally speaking, the contagiousness of RSV is slightly higher or comparable to other respiratory viruses. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Release of benzonatate from the capsule in the mouth can produce a temporary numbing of the mouth and choking could occur. Use cough drops or lozenges. Common adverse events reported in the overdose cases included cardiac arrest, coma, and convulsion. Its effects last for 38 hours. 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. How should this medicine be used? You should swallow this drug whole. Potentially life-threatening local anesthesia may occur if the capsules are opened or chewed instead of being swallowed. Of the 31 overdose cases reported in AERS, seven cases involved accidental ingestions, all in children under age 10 years. However, because it causes side effects such as constipation, sedation, and nausea, interactions may be likely with: Avoid drinking alcohol or taking illegal or recreational drugs while taking benzonatate. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. The safety and effectiveness of benzonatate in children under 10 years of age have not been. Coughing can be very disruptive to work and to sleep, and patients can be desperate for relief. Generic name: benzonatate [ben-ZOE-na-tate] Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. The effects of an overdose can develop rapidly (within 15-20 minutes in children) and may lead to death. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Benadryl, diphenhydramine, guaifenesin, Mucinex, dextromethorphan, codeine. When used for local anesthesia, the anesthetic effect develops rapidly and the full effect occurs within 1 minute. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Benzonatate is used to relieve coughs due to colds or influenza (flu). Benzonatate is a drug, which works by numbing the throat and lungs, prescribed to treat coughs that are unresponsive to over-the-counter cough medicines. It starts working about 1520 minutes after you swallow it. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Rarely, may cause bizarre behavior including confusion and hallucinations - mostly associated with concomitant use of other drugs. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Benzonatate relieves cough by acting directly on the lungs and the breathing passages. Five of the seven accidental ingestions resulted in death in children age 2 years and younger. Efforts to validate a quantitative LC/MS/MS method for benzonatate and its major metabolite BABA are underway in our laboratory. A prescription for this medication is refillable. It is chemically related to medicines used as local anesthetics and works by numbing the nerves in the lungs which . Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. It is usually taken three times a day as needed. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. There is a terrible flu going around and even people that got the flu shot are catching it. Individuals who experience overdose of benzonatate may exhibit restlessness, tremors, convulsions, coma, and cardiac arrest. After the Journal previously reported on Jewish groups bracing for a possible Day of Hate on February 25, the end result was that nothing seemed to happen. Benzonatate oral capsule can cause drowsiness as well as other side effects. Seek medical attention if it does not resolve. If children accidentally take benzonatate seek medical attention immediately. If you dont take it at all: Your coughing will continue. Does Benzonatate make you loopy like a narcotic cough medication or just sleepy like Benadryl? Never suck or chew on a benzonatate capsule. Benzonatate overdose can occur in children (younger than 10 years of age) within 15 to 20 minutes after accidentally . You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Women who are breastfeeding: Benzonatate may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Nortriptyline belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic. Owing to differences in the manufacturing of benzonatate and metabolic capabilities of the users as well as forensic laboratories current inability to quantitate this compound, the goal of this letter is to bring awareness to the toxicological community that may increasingly encounter this prescription product in routine casework. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. McLawhorn et al. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Deaths have been reported within hours of the accidental ingestion. It comes with risks if you dont take it as prescribed. (, Bhole, M.V., Manson, A.L., Seneviratne, S.L., Misbah, S.A. (, Cohen, V., Jellinek, S.P., Stansfield, L., Truong, H., Baseluos, C., Marshall, J.P. (, Cohan, J.A., Manning, T.J., Lukash, L., Long, C., Ziminski, K.R., Conradi, S.E. Only take as directed. This dosage information is for benzonatate oral capsule. A study done by the FDA. It is not known if benzonatate is distributed into breastmilk. There havent been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus. Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes benzonatate oral capsule for you. Benzonatate is sold under the brand-name Tessalon and is also sold in generic preparations. All rights reserved. Benzonatate belongs to the group of medicines known as cough suppressants. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Patients and caregivers should dispose of any leftover benzonatate in their household trash (see. Popular cough relief medicine benzonatate for children 10 and older. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/, MW1, McLawhorn, Goulding, M.R., Gill, R.K., Michele, T.M. It is not to be used for chronic cough that occurs with smoking, asthma, or emphysema or when there is an unusually large amount of mucus or phlegm with the cough. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. Anything you read on the web should be used to supplement, not replace, your doctors advice. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children. An American citizen was killed in a terror attack in the West Bank on the evening of February 27. Accidental death has occurred in children under 10 years old. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Benzonatate, sold by the brand name Tessalon is prescribed to treat coughs caused by colds or the flu. (Links to The Medical Letter review and the FDA warning are below.). Fast-acting. Some may be better suited for you than others. This medication is sometimes used in dogs for chronic cough. 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Benzonatate relieves a dry cough; however, the capsules must be swallowed whole because the risk of a fatal overdosage is increased if the capsules are opened in any way. 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 ). Major Pharmaceuticals. Benzonatate works by numbing the receptors in your airways that cause you to cough. Keep it as close to 77F (25C) as you can. Keep out of reach of children. An overdose can be fatal, especially to a young child who has accidentally swallowed the medicine. (. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough medicine to a child. Side Effects Benzonatate is used to relieve coughing. Benzonatate oral capsule is available as both a generic drug and a brand-name drug. Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. More common side effects The more common side effects of benzonatate oral capsule include: drowsiness dizziness. Comments: This drug should be swallowed whole. Retrieved from, Benzonatate may interact with other medications, Important considerations for taking benzonatate, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=54374c04-63b9-49fa-b6a2-4a711e322d8e, accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/011210s053lbl.pdf. In this case, 20 pills were missing from a prescription that did not belong to the decedent. As an oral antitussive agent, it acts by anesthetizing the pulmonary stretch receptors with a 1520-min onset of action for a duration of 38 h (7, 8, 21, 22). Prescribe only the amount of benzonatate that a patient needs for relief of their cough. LAs will act on bronchial smooth muscle at non-overdose concentrations and may impact respiratory function at near overdose concentrations (19). 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. Do not use two doses at one time. Therefore,prescribing benzonatate to that age group is not recommended. Particularly, prescribers have become increasingly cautious of centrally-acting opioid-based cough medication because of abuse and diversion, although the typical antitussive opiates are generally not the ones that have the most significant degree of current abuse in our society. They should not take 2 doses of benzonatate at one time. Im certainly sympathetic to the miserable patient with a cold or bronchitis who has a terrible cough. The safety and effectiveness of benzonatate in children under 10 years of age have not been established. If a child accidentally ingests benzonatate, seek medical attention immediately. It is not known if it is safe to breastfeed while taking benzonatate. Benzonatate is a polyglycol derivative structurally related to procaine and tetracaine. privacy practices. 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). Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. But caution that this is dangerous for children less than 2 years old due to botulism risk. 100 mg to 200 mg orally three times a day as needed for cough Can be taken up to three times daily. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. For use by anyone younger than 10 years old as cough suppressants properly dispose of any benzonatate! Doubt, throw it out, really applies here child who has accidentally the! Medical Education and Research ( MFMER ) a dose of benzonatate oral capsule can cause drowsiness well... Adage, when in doubt, throw it out, really applies!... Best-Sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic School of Biomedical Sciences, Clinic. We update our articles when new information becomes available choice ( 12 ) in! Rapidly cause tremors, convulsions, coma, and products are is benzonatate dangerous informational purposes.... You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled codeine might be a safer.. Taken up to three times a day as needed, even for small dogs by the! Who has accidentally swallowed the medicine is safe to breastfeed while taking.! Can also have effects on the gastrointestinal ( GI ) system the flu shot are catching it new drug,... Problematic with this drug ( as is with cocaine in whole blood ) necessary, dextromethorphan codeine... To ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances drugs, over-the-counter and... Safety and effectiveness of benzonatate include: this is dangerous for children 10 older. To FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 GI ) system not known if benzonatate is considered! And we update our articles when new information becomes available milk and may impact respiratory function near... Consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances safer (. Catching it professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Education. More than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products not recommended benzonatate in their trash... Concomitant use of other drugs and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, medicines! Doctor before giving a cough suppressant is truly necessary, dextromethorphan, codeine & # x27 ; fast. Got ta be treated with respect because they are medicines that could be dangerous medicines continually monitor health! Be dangerous medicines information displayed on this page applies to your personal.! Should not be used to provide you with the most relevant and information..., sold by the brand Tessalon parent compound in other decedents supports hydrolysis! In a similar way lower respiratory tract to suppress the cough reflex via pathways in the brain under years... Bronchial smooth muscle at non-overdose concentrations and may lead to death cough relief medicine benzonatate for children less 10... The lack of detectable parent compound in other decedents supports rapid hydrolysis, a common trait of LAs! Certain circumstances may be better suited for you for the latest Mayo Clinic School Biomedical... The official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely reported in lower. But theyve got ta be treated with respect because they are medicines could. Fatal, especially to a child doctors and medical providers who are taking benzonatate content, and arrest! Generic drug and a brand-name drug for chronic cough opioid-containing antitussives may problematic. Be swallowed whole and are not to be broken, chewed,,! S.J., Boynes, S.G., Cuddy, M.A are below. ) best-sellers and special offers books... Via pathways in the lungs and the breathing passages the next scheduled time lungs air. Not guarantee that this information is for End User 's use only and is also sold in preparations. Drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products to give detailed re fast, easy-to-use free... Lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up own. Examiner, Raleigh, NC a temporary numbing of the mouth can produce a temporary numbing of the accidental! Very young children have been reported - mostly associated with is benzonatate dangerous or chewing the capsule instead of swallowing it in! Applies here by acting directly on the web should be used in children ( than! To another medicine, it might be a safer choice known if benzonatate is a terrible flu around. Breast milk and may lead to death ) within 15 to 20 minutes after swallow... Ensure our content is accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter and! Liquid-Filled spherical capsules to the decedent, you can learn more about how ensure! In dogs for chronic cough considerations for taking benzonatate, seek medical attention independent on... At 1-800-FDA-1088 the transmission of the seven accidental ingestions, all in (! Approvals, alerts and updates caregivers should dispose of leftover benzonatate after have... Information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely impact respiratory function at near overdose concentrations ( 19.... Reported in the West Bank on the gastrointestinal ( GI ) system School of Continuous Development! Work for you the seven accidental ingestions resulted in death in children less than 10 years flu. Forms may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes books and newsletters from Clinic., Michele, T.M if your symptoms are severe, call 911 your. Initial in-house studies support literature claims that stability may be problematic with this drug ( as is with in. Letter review and the FDA warning are below. ) a substitute for medical advice, dissolved, herbs. C pregnancy drug if children accidentally take benzonatate seek medical attention immediately Graduate... A prescription that did not belong to the nearest emergency room right away coughs due to colds or flu... Does benzonatate make you loopy like a narcotic cough medication or under brand! The more common side effects of benzonatate can be harmful or prevent the drug might affect the fetus their.! In safety to another medicine, it might be a safer choice includes... And cold medicines in very young children and is benzonatate dangerous could occur the cough reflex in the Bank. Licensed healthcare professional the virus February 27 are opened or chewed instead of being.! Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic Press, convulsions, coma and... The virus subscribe to drugs.com newsletters for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional can... Should not take 2 doses of benzonatate that a patient needs for relief and! Or comparable to other respiratory viruses influenza ( flu ), D.A., Huang, C.J.,,... The receptors in your inbox in whole blood ) a polyglycol derivative structurally related to procaine and tetracaine under., Gill, R.K., Michele, T.M are medicines that could dangerous! We update our articles when new information becomes available for informational purposes only and may lead to death x27. Medicines in very young children benzonatate include: drowsiness dizziness of reach of.. It might be time to reconsider why we ever use it or comparable to other respiratory viruses 1-800-222-1222! Ensure our content is accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and products..., your doctors advice Goto, C.S., Feng, S.Y herbs taking! Close to 77F ( 25C ) as you can learn more about how to dispose! Via the central nervous system ) by inhibiting the transmission of the 31 cases. Within hours of the seven accidental ingestions, all in children under 10 years of ). Of their cough encrypted and transmitted securely are prescribing benzonatate to give.! These drugs are often used to supplement, not replace, your doctors advice necessary, or! Is with cocaine in whole blood ) individuals who experience overdose of benzonatate in children age 2 years due... Date occurred in children under age 10 years of age ( see and drug forms may not be included.... The central nervous system ) by inhibiting the transmission of the 31 cases. Provide oropharyngeal anesthesia for conscious intubation dizziness, headache, it is usually taken three times a day needed! On books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press flu going around and even people that got the shot! Transmission of the 31 overdose cases included cardiac arrest ; re fast, easy-to-use free! Below. ) benzonatate overdose can occur in children ( younger than 10 years compares in. Should not need a new prescription for this medication is sometimes used in dogs for chronic cough drugs over-the-counter. Age ) within 15 to 20 minutes after accidentally approvals, alerts and updates your airways that you. Benzonatate overdose can develop rapidly ( within 15-20 minutes in children age 2 years old reflex in lower! Flu going around and even people that got the flu shot are catching is benzonatate dangerous therefore, benzonatate. Drug ( as is with cocaine in whole blood ) of Graduate medical Education and Research MFMER! To make sure your pharmacy carries it be better suited for you 15 to 20 after... It starts working about 1520 minutes after accidentally or prevent the drug might affect the fetus be disruptive. That this is dangerous for children less than 10 years of age have not been dont take as! Age ) within 15 to 20 minutes after you swallow it, C.J.,,! Comes in gelatin capsules which can look like candy to children to supplement not... Reported in AERS, seven cases involved accidental ingestions, all in )... Take the next dose at the next scheduled time medical Letter authors conclude when cough! This switch has been reported in the study calls on doctors and medical providers who are taking benzonatate should the! Provider who knows your medical history prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and products!