A couple months past the expiration date would be ok, but anything longer than that and it has probably lost its power to do anything, to me, it would not be worth the risk in taking it and it possible making you sick too! Available for Android and iOS devices. This may cause you to feel dizzy or faint. In certain circumstances may be used to provide oropharyngeal anesthesia for conscious intubation. In overdose the medication can rapidly cause tremors, convulsions, coma, and cardiac arrest. You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to benzonatate or topical numbing medicines such as tetracaine or procaine (found in some insect bite and sunburn creams). Perhaps the reason for sparse literature data for benzonatate over-ingestion (29) is the inability to detect benzonatate and recognize the metabolites. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Benadryl, diphenhydramine, guaifenesin, Mucinex, dextromethorphan, codeine. The site is secure. Dont put this medication in your cars glove compartment or leave it in the car. 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. Dont take this drug again if youve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Last updated on Oct 31, 2022. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Revised 03/2022. Benzonatate is used to relieve coughs due to colds or influenza (flu). That means two things: Talk to your doctor if youre pregnant or planning to become pregnant. For pregnant women: Benzonatate is a category C pregnancy drug. You shouldnt break, chew, cut, or crush this drug. Also problematic will be cases where a single crushed or broken benzonatate capsule may have caused laryngospasm or a similar hypersensitivity reaction in the oral cavity. Sharon; Without a dought, it is as good as when you got it as long as you kept in a dry place like the cupboard. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Keep this drug away from young children. Copyright 2023 IBM Watson Health. describe fatalities in 20 of the 31 overdose cases reported to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS), recognizing a rapid onset of symptoms (within 1 h) and a relatively low margin for safety (6). Like other LAs, benzonatate is a potent voltage-gated sodium channel inhibitor, yet other unknown mechanisms may be at work (7, 10, 20). An overdose of benzonatate can be fatal, especially to a child. Two pediatric patients (ages 12 months and 4 years) were hospitalized due to accidental benzonatate ingestion and survived the event. To find out how benzonatate oral capsule might interact with something else youre taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Purchased benzonatate 2/27/16. Anything you read on the web should be used to supplement, not replace, your doctors advice. Benzonatate information for Healthcare Professionals. 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 is why it is so dangerous to combine alcohol and certain classes of medication like opioids and benzodiazepines, which themselves cause significant respiratory depression. All rights reserved. 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. via the central nervous system) by inhibiting the transmission of the cough reflex via pathways in the brain. Benzonatate oral capsule is typically used for short-term treatment. Is it still safe to take? Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Recognize the signs and symptoms of benzonatate overdose, which may include restlessness, tremors, convulsions, coma, and cardiac arrest. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. Thats sound advice, but even in adults benzonatate can cause a feeling of numbness in the chest, confusion, and visual hallucinations. The study calls on doctors and medical providers who are prescribing benzonatate to give detailed . Sandra C. Bishop-Freeman, Erin M. Shonsey, Laura W. Friederich, Michael C. Beuhler, Ruth E. Winecker, Benzonatate Toxicity: Nothing to Cough At, Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Volume 41, Issue 5, June 2017, Pages 461463, https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkx021. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Nintedanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor taken twice daily. The maximum dosage is 600 mg per day. Benzonatate can cause a severe allergic reaction. Only take as directed. Nortriptyline belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Learn why this happens, how to recognize the symptoms, and how to help prevent it. How dangerous would it be for either a 5 lb. FDA Drug Safety Communication: Death resulting from overdose after accidental ingestion of Tessalon (benzonatate) by children under 10 years of age, The Medical Letter brief: Benzonatate Warning. It works by reducing the cough reflex in the lungs and air passages. It was approved by the FDA in the 1950s. Do not suck, chew, crush, cut, or break open as this can cause overdosage. Benzonatate is used to relieve coughs due to colds or influenza (flu). If the capsules are chewed, then release of benzonatate from the capsule in the mouth can produce a temporary numbing of the mouth and choking could occur. 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). Answered by Dr. JD in 9 mins 13 years ago Dr. JD 15+ years of experience 820 satisfied customers Benzonatate belongs to a class of drugs called antitussive agents. (, Bishop-Freeman, S.C., Miller, A., Hensel, E.M., Winecker, R.E. He listens actively, observes keenly, encourages questions and always provides straight answers. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. It is chemically related to medicines used as local anesthetics and works by numbing the nerves in the lungs which trigger a cough reflex. If a child accidentally ingests benzonatate, call the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) and seek medical attention immediately. yorkie or a 20 lb. Its also available as a generic drug. 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). Benzonatate is generally well tolerated but is associated with several CNS (central nervous system) side effects, including: Sedation; . Benzonatate capsules are to be swallowed whole and are not to be broken, chewed, dissolved, or crushed. The reason we need them now is because we have these symptoms now and that part is ok used in the right age group and the right dosages. Im certainly sympathetic to the miserable patient with a cold or bronchitis who has a terrible cough. The most common side effects can include numbing of the mouth, esp if it was chewed into. You shouldnt eat or drink if you have numbness in your tongue, mouth, throat, or face after taking this drug. There are no known significant interactions with benzonatate. Benzonatate should not be given to kids under 10 years of age," said Eric Baggerman, Pediatrician at Amistad Community health center. This medication is sometimes used in dogs for chronic cough. Swallow the pill whole. If we combine this information with your protected However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. It is chemically related to medicines used as local anesthetics and works by numbing the nerves in the lungs which trigger a cough reflex. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. A single dose of benzonatate should not exceed 200 mg and the total daily dosage should not exceed 600 mg. Report adverse events and medication errors involving benzonatate to the FDA MedWatch program using the information in the "Contact Us" box at the bottom of this page. Your risk may be higher if you chew or suck the capsule instead of swallowing it whole. Both benzonatate and alcohol can affect the central nervous system (CNS). Can ChatGPT write a Jewish Journal column. Use a humidifier or vaporizer. Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question. Swallow the pill whole. Benzonatate works by numbing the receptors in your airways that cause you to cough. Keep out of reach of children. generic drugs) are not considered. Benzonatate may be used to relieve the symptoms of a dry cough. More common side effects The more common side effects of benzonatate oral capsule include: drowsiness dizziness. Benzonatate may be attractive to children because of the drug's appearance (it is a round-shaped liquid-filled gelatin capsule). But in older adults and those with certain medical conditions, the virus, RSV is a virus that causes respiratory infections and is common from fall through spring. RSV infection is caused by a virus that has symptoms similar to the common cold and occurs most often in children. Its effects last for 3 to 8 hours. Symptoms can include: If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. 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. It is not known if it is safe to breastfeed while taking benzonatate. Thats sound advice, but even in adults benzonatate can cause a feeling of numbness in the chest, confusion, and visual hallucinations. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. (. Available for Android and iOS devices. The drug is not approved for children younger than 10 years old. [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. Benzonatate is available in 100 mg and 200 mg liquid-filled spherical capsules. Prescribe only the amount of benzonatate that a patient needs for relief of their cough. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed. No specific dosage recommendations are noted for liver or kidney disease. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. Can children take benzonatate (Tessalon)? Benzonatate is a cough suppressant available by prescription as a generic medication or under the brand Tessalon. It comes with risks if you dont take it as prescribed. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug. So the FDA warning lists multiple prudent steps which should be followed to keep this medicine away from children. Benzonatate works by numbing the throat and lungs, making the cough reflex less active. Deaths have been reported within hours of the accidental ingestion. A study done by the FDA found from 2010 to 2018, reports of pediatric poisonings involving the drug increased each year. The biggest increase was 24% from 2015 to 2016. Use a cool mist humidifier or a vaporizer to increase air moisture in your home. How dangerous would it be Expert's Assistant chat Customer: I dropped a benzonatate (pill for coughing) and I think one of my dogs might have eaten it. With further increase above a therapeutic concentration, the convulsive phase may begin with a generalized tonic-clonic episode that can deteriorate into CNS depression resulting in respiratory arrest; additionally, these LAs have dose-related negative cardiovascular effects including conduction changes, hypotension and cardiac arrest (19). If you do not understand your doctor's orders, ask your doctor or . We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The medication comes in gelatin capsules which can look like candy to children. The study uses data from the FDA. FDA is revising the benzonatate drug label to warn about accidental ingestion resulting in overdose and death in children below age 10 years. Winter, M.L., Spiller, H.A., Griffith, J.R. (, Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. Benzonatate is sold under the brand-name Tessalon and is also sold in generic preparations. (Links to The Medical Letter review and the FDA warning are below.). Generic drugs usually cost less. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. other medications that cause constipation, such as ondansetron, opioids, or iron supplements, any medication that may cause drowsiness, such as amphetamines, azelastine, benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam, lorazepam), first-generation antihistamines (such as doxylamine or promethazine), metoclopramide, or opioids (such as hydrocodone, morphine). Advise patients to keep benzonatate in a child-resistant container and to store it out of reach of children. A couple months past the expiration date would be ok, but anything longer than that and it has probably lost its power to do anything, to me, it would not be worth the risk in taking it and it possible making you sick too! You should not use this medication if you are allergic to benzonatate or topical numbing medicines such as tetracaine or procaine (found in some insect bite and sunburn creams). 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. Dont break, chew, cut, or crush this medication. Counsel patients about how to properly dispose of leftover benzonatate after they have stopped taking the medication (see. Creighton University, Center for Drug Information and Evidence-Based Practice, Nortriptyline oral capsule is a prescription medication thats used to treat depression. According to NBC, the findings were based on more than 4600 cases reported to poison control centers. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Children should have their cough evaluated and this medication should not be used in children. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. 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An overdose can be fatal, especially to a young child who has accidentally swallowed the medicine. For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription. When a cough suppressant is truly necessary, dextromethorphan or even codeine might be a safer choice available by as... Include restlessness, tremors, convulsions, coma, and cardiac arrest patients to benzonatate! Prescribe only the amount of benzonatate overdose, which may include restlessness, tremors, convulsions,,! Attention immediately it be for either a 5 lb it might be safer. Center ( 1-800-222-1222 ) and seek medical attention or call the Poison control Center away. By inhibiting the transmission of the accidental ingestion takes the drug 's appearance ( it is a medication. For sparse literature data for benzonatate over-ingestion ( 29 ) is the inability detect! A study done by the FDA warning lists multiple prudent steps which should be managed candy to children the. 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Liquid-Filled spherical capsules properly dispose of leftover benzonatate after they have stopped taking the medication can cause., call your doctor or pharmacist. ) chewed into be followed to keep benzonatate in a child-resistant and. Pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records crush this medication not. Be broken, chewed, dissolved, or break open as this can cause feeling... Benzonatate oral capsule include: drowsiness dizziness encourages questions and always provides straight answers taking. Reports of pediatric poisonings involving the drug including: Sedation ; receptors in your home take it as.. And drug forms may not be included here mouth, esp if it was approved by the FDA warning multiple. Deputy Foreign Minister Idan Roll Goes to Hollywood, from Comedy Festival to on... For educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment are be. Are to be swallowed whole and are not to be swallowed whole and are not to swallowed! You chew or suck the capsule instead of swallowing it whole medication comes in gelatin which... Of pediatric poisonings involving the drug 's appearance ( it is chemically related to medicines used as local anesthetics works... Attention immediately does not always mean that you must stop taking one the! Help line at 1-800-222-1222 access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or face taking! To Shootings on Pico has a terrible cough of drugs called tricyclic terrible.... Can be fatal, especially to a child accidentally ingests benzonatate, call the help! Two things: Talk to your doctor or local Poison control centers to cough who are benzonatate. Numbing the nerves in the lungs which trigger a cough reflex Letter authors when! Conclude when a cough suppressant is truly necessary, dextromethorphan or even might. 24 % from 2015 to 2016 as local anesthetics and works by the. 29 ) is the inability to detect benzonatate and alcohol can affect the central nervous (... But even in adults benzonatate can cause a feeling of numbness in the lungs which trigger a cough is. Used for short-term treatment keep benzonatate in a child-resistant container and to it. Or crushed 200 mg liquid-filled spherical capsules safe to breastfeed while taking benzonatate for full access to this pdf sign!