Benzonatate

Benzonatate is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of cough.

Benzonatate acts peripherally by anesthetizing the stretch receptors located in the respiratory passages, lungs, and pleura by dampening their activity and thereby reducing the cough reflex at its source. It begins to act within 15 to 20 minutes and its effect lasts for 3 to 8 hours.

Adults and Children (10 years and older): Benzonatate 100 mg capsule three times a day. If necessary to control cough, up to 600 mg daily in three divided doses may be given. Benzonatate should be swallowed whole. Benzonatate should not to be broken, chewed, dissolved, cut or crushed.

Benzonatate is contra-indicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

Hypersensitivity reactions: Bronchospasm, laryngospasm.

• Central Nervous System: Sedation, headache, dizziness.
• Gastrointestinal: Constipation, nausea.
• Dermatologic: Pruritus, skin eruptions.
• Other: Nasal congestion, burning sensation in the eyes.

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Benzonatate. It is also not known whether Benzonatate can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Benzonatate should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. It is unknown whether this drug is excreted in human breast milk, because many drugs are excreted in human breast milk caution should be exercised when Tussilon is administered to a nursing woman.

Psychiatric effects: Isolated instances of bizarre behavior, including mental confusion and visual hallucinations, have also been reported in patients taking Tussilon in combination with other prescribed drugs.

Accidental ingestion and death in children: Keep Tussilon out of reach of children. Accidental ingestion of Tussilon resulting in death has been reported in children below age 10.

Benzonatate is chemically related to anesthetic agents of the para-amino-benzoic acid class (e.g., procaine; tetracaine) and has been associated with adverse CNS effects.

Signs and symptoms: The signs and symptoms of overdose of Benzonatate have been reported within 15-20 minutes. If capsules are chewed or dissolved in the mouth, oropharyngeal anesthesia will develop rapidly, which may cause choking and airway compromise.

Treatment: In case of overdose, seek medical attention immediately. Evacuate gastric contents and administer copious amounts of activated charcoal slurry.

Cough suppressant

Store below 25ºC in a cool and dry place, protect from light. Keep out of children’s reach.