II. Background
- First approved for use in U.S. in 1958
- Synthetic butylamino-benzoate derivative (related to tetracaine, procaine)
- Voltage-gated Sodium channel inhibitor
- Peripherally acting non-opioid Antitussive
- Decreases cough reflex by anesthetizing and suppressing stretch receptors receptors in the airways, lungs, and pleura
- Narrow therapeutic range
- See Benzonatate Overdose
- Single capsule may be lethal in a child
- A small handful of capsules in Overdose could be lethal in adults
III. Dosing
- Adults: 100-200 mg orally every 8 hours as needed for cough
- Not approved for age under 10 years old
IV. Pharmacokinetics
- Onset: 15-20 minutes
- Duration: 3-8 hours
V. Adverse Effects
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Sedation or Somnolence
- Tongue numbness
VI. Precautions: Toxicology
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Related Studies
| benzonatate (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
| BENZONATATE 100 MG CAPSULE | Generic | $0.08 each |
| BENZONATATE 200 MG CAPSULE | Generic | $0.11 each |
| BENZONATATE PERLE 100 MG CAP | Generic | $0.08 each |
Ontology: benzonatate (C0053229)
| Definition (NCI) | A synthetic butylamino-benzoate derivative related to tetracaine and a peripherally acting antitussive, nonnarcotic Benzonatate reduces the cough reflex by anesthetizing and depressing mechanoreceptors in the respiratory passages, lungs, and pleura. It is recommended for cough relief in the common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, and for chronic cough such as in asthma. (NCI04) |
| Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109) |
| MSH | C029755 |
| SnomedCT | 31801005, 386030001 |
| LNC | LP18904-0, MTHU006813 |
| English | benzonatate, benzonatate (medication), BENZONATATE, benzonatate [Chemical/Ingredient], Benzonatate, Benzonatate (product), Benzonatate (substance) |
| Spanish | benzonatato (producto), benzonatato (sustancia), benzonatato |
Ontology: Tessalon Perles (C0723653)
| Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109) |
| English | Tessalon Perles, tessalon perle, tessalon perles |
Ontology: Tessalon (C0740256)
| Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109) |
| MSH | C029755 |
| English | Tessalon, tessalon |
