Version July 2025
Dosage guidance:
Safety: Should only be used in patients who can swallow capsules whole; if capsules are chewed, sucked on, or allowed to dissolve in the mouth, local anesthesia of mouth and choking can result.
Cough: Children ≥10 years and Adolescents: Oral: 100 to 200 mg 3 times daily as needed for cough; maximum dose: 200 mg/dose; maximum daily dose: 600 mg/day.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
(For additional information see "Benzonatate: Drug information")
Cough: Oral: 100 to 200 mg 3 times/day as needed for cough (maximum single dose: 200 mg; maximum dose: 600 mg/day).
The renal dosing recommendations are based upon the best available evidence and clinical expertise. Senior Editorial Team: Bruce Mueller, PharmD, FCCP, FASN, FNKF; Jason A. Roberts, PhD, BPharm (Hons), B App Sc, FSHP, FISAC; Michael Heung, MD, MS.
Note: Limited pharmacokinetic data are available describing the disposition of benzonatate and its metabolites.
Altered kidney function: No dosage adjustment likely to be necessary for any degree of kidney dysfunction (rapidly hydrolyzed by plasma enzymes) (Ref).
Hemodialysis, intermittent (thrice weekly): Not likely to be significantly dialyzed (rapidly metabolized): No supplemental dose or dosage adjustment likely to be necessary (Ref).
Peritoneal dialysis: Not likely to be significantly dialyzed (rapidly metabolized): No dosage adjustment likely to be necessary (Ref).
CRRT: No dosage adjustment likely to be necessary (Ref).
PIRRT (eg, sustained, low-efficiency diafiltration): No dosage adjustment likely to be necessary (Ref).
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
The following adverse drug reactions are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.
Postmarketing:
Cardiovascular: Chest numbness
Dermatologic: Pruritus, skin rash
Gastrointestinal: Constipation, gastrointestinal distress, nausea (Ref)
Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity reaction (including severe hypersensitivity reaction)
Nervous system: Chills, confusion, dizziness (Ref), drowsiness (Ref), hallucination, headache (Ref), numbness of tongue (Ref), sedated state (Ref)
Ophthalmic: Burning sensation of eyes
Respiratory: Nasal congestion
Hypersensitivity to benzonatate, related compounds, or any component of the formulation
Concerns related to adverse effects:
• Hypersensitivity reactions: Severe hypersensitivity reactions, including bronchospasm, cardiovascular collapse and laryngospasm have been reported. May be related to localized anesthetic effects due to sucking or chewing the capsule instead of swallowing it.
• Psychiatric effects: Isolated cases of bizarre behavior, including mental confusion and visual hallucinations have been reported during concurrent use with other prescribed drugs.
Special populations:
• Pediatric: Benzonatate has a narrow therapeutic index; intentional overdose or accidental ingestion has resulted in cardiac dysrhythmias, seizures, and death. In pediatric patients, onset of symptoms can be <5 minutes and with as few as 1 to 2 capsules (Bishop-Freeman 2017; Constantino 2023; Crouch 1998; Kim 2022; Minhaj 2021; Stephens 2022; Winter 2010). Not approved for use in children <10 years of age.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product
Capsule, Oral:
Tessalon Perles: 100 mg [DSC]
Generic: 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg
Yes
Capsules (Benzonatate Oral)
100 mg (per each): $0.12 - $2.50
150 mg (per each): $2.12
200 mg (per each): $0.19 - $4.77
Disclaimer: A representative AWP (Average Wholesale Price) price or price range is provided as reference price only. A range is provided when more than one manufacturer's AWP price is available and uses the low and high price reported by the manufacturers to determine the range. The pricing data should be used for benchmarking purposes only, and as such should not be used alone to set or adjudicate any prices for reimbursement or purchasing functions or considered to be an exact price for a single product and/or manufacturer. Medi-Span expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind or nature, whether express or implied, and assumes no liability with respect to accuracy of price or price range data published in its solutions. In no event shall Medi-Span be liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of price or price range data. Pricing data is updated monthly.
Oral: Swallow capsule whole (do not break, chew, dissolve, cut, or crush). If capsules are chewed or dissolved in the mouth, oral mucosa anesthesia may occur and could lead to choking. If numbness or tingling of the tongue, mouth, throat, or face occurs, refrain from oral ingestion of food or liquid until numbness has resolved.
Oral: Swallow capsule whole (do not break, chew, dissolve, cut, or crush). If capsules are chewed or dissolved in the mouth, oral mucosa anesthesia may occur and could lead to choking. If numbness or tingling of the tongue, mouth, throat, or face occurs, refrain from oral ingestion of food or liquid until numbness has resolved.
Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Protect from light.
Symptomatic relief of cough (FDA approved in ages ≥10 years and adults).
None known.
Note: Interacting drugs may not be individually listed below if they are part of a group interaction (eg, individual drugs within “CYP3A4 Inducers [Strong]” are NOT listed). For a complete list of drug interactions by individual drug name and detailed management recommendations, use the drug interactions program
There are no known significant interactions.
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted. Information related to use in pregnancy is limited (Heinonen 1977).
Monitor for symptoms of overdose or hypersensitivity.
Tetracaine congener with antitussive properties; suppresses cough by topical anesthetic action on the respiratory stretch receptors
Onset of action: Therapeutic: 15 to 20 minutes.
Duration: 3 to 8 hours.
Metabolism: Rapidly hydrolyzed by plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) to the major metabolite 4-(butylamino) benzoic acid (BABA) along with the corresponding polyethylene glycol monomethyl ethers; activity of metabolites (ie, active versus inactive) is unknown (has not been studied) (Bishop-Freeman 2017).
Excretion: Unknown (has not been studied).
