Benzonatate: MedlinePlus Drug Information
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Benzonatate works by numbing the throat and lungs, making the cough reflex less active. Benzonatate begins to act within minutes and can control cough symptoms for 3-8 hours.
Certain Mental Health Medications
While benzonatate can be beneficial on its own, it can interact with certain medications, potentially leading to adverse reactions. Understanding these potential drug interactions is crucial to avoid any unintended harm or complications. Benzonatate is used to provide symptomatic relief from dry cough caused by respiratory tract infections such as the common cold and flu. Consult your healthcare provider if you have a chronic cough that lasts more than a week. It’s important to identify the cause of the cough and treat the underlying condition.
By suppressing the cough reflex and numbing the respiratory tract, it helps individuals find comfort and improve their quality of life. In conclusion, understanding the potential risks of mixing benzonatate with other drugs is crucial for ensuring your safety and well-being. By being aware of the medications to avoid and consulting with your healthcare professional, you can minimize the risk of adverse reactions and maximize the benefits of benzonatate. Benzonatate is primarily used to alleviate cough symptoms caused by various conditions, such as the common cold, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections.
It’s typically prescribed to treat coughs not relieved by OTC cough suppressants. Benzonatate works directly in the lungs and airways to block the cough reflex. Before taking benzonatate, let your prescriber know your health history, including all the medications you take. If you take medications for a mental illness, they can help you decide whether benzonatate is the best option to treat your cough. Additionally, the combination of alcohol and benzonatate can lead to a heightened risk of experiencing gastrointestinal side effects. Such symptoms can be uncomfortable and may interfere with daily activities and overall well-being.
What to avoid
An overdose of this drug can result in seizures, coma, and cardiac arrest, potentially resulting in death. Benzonatate acts as a numbing agent on the stretch receptors in the airways and lungs. By numbing the throat and lungs, benzonatate reduces the urge to cough.
It belongs to a class of medications called antitussives, which work by suppressing the cough reflex. By numbing the respiratory tract and reducing coughing, benzonatate helps individuals find relief and promotes a more comfortable breathing experience. When taking benzonatate, it’s important to be aware of potential drug interactions.
Potential Risks of Mixing Benzonatate with Other Drugs
Your healthcare provider will prescribe this medication only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Medicines that interact with benzonatate may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with benzonatate. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed. Before you start taking benzonatate, it’s important to share your health history with your prescriber, who can inform you of drug interactions and other safety concerns.
Norco (acetaminophen and hydrocodone) is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. This synthroid hyponatremia medication is also not meant for relief from a cough that produces large amounts of phlegm or mucus. There is a lower-cost generic version available (active ingredient benzonatate) as well as under brand names such as Tessalon Perles, Tessalon, and Zonatuss.
- Mucinex (guaifenesin) is used to relieve the symptoms of cough and loosen mucus in the chest …
- It is crucial to allow the medication to work as intended by avoiding alcohol consumption during the course of benzonatate therapy.
- Some mixtures of medications can lead to serious and even fatal consequences.
Benzonatate is a medication commonly prescribed for cough relief. While it can be highly effective in treating cough symptoms, it’s essential to be aware of potential drug interactions that can occur. Mixing certain drugs with benzonatate can lead to adverse side effects and pose serious health risks.
Furthermore, alcohol and benzonatate both have an impact on the central nervous system. When consumed together, they can intensify the depressive effects on the respiratory system, potentially leading to respiratory distress. This increased risk of respiratory depression is a significant concern, especially for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
