To treat coughs, use benzoate. Antitussives are a class of drugs that includes benzonatate (cough suppressants). It reduces the airways’ and lungs’ natural reflex to cough.

Both oral capsules and capsules with fluids are available for the medication benzonatate. As needed, it is typically taken three times daily. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Take benzonatate as prescribed by your doctor. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Do not break, dissolve, cut, crush, suction, or chew the capsules or the liquid-filled capsules. Instead, swallow them whole. The medicine may numb the mouth and induce choking if it is released into the mouth. If your mouth, tongue, throat, or face feel numb or tingly, avoid eating or drinking. Seek immediate medical attention if tingling or numbness sensations persist or worsen.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking benzonatate,

• If you have an allergy to benzonatate, procaine (Novocain), tetracaine (in Synera), any other drugs, or any of the chemicals in benzonatate capsules, tell your doctor and pharmacist right away. For a list of ingredients, speak with your physician or pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking benzonatate.
• You should let your doctor or dentist know that you are taking benzonatate if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Typically, this drug is given as needed. If you frequently take benzonatate and you forget to take a dose, just skip it and keep taking the medication as directed. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects are possible with benzoate. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Blocked nose
• Feeling cold
• Irritation in the eyes

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

• Rash or hives
• Itching
• Throat becomes constricted
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Tingling in the chest
• Confusion
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that do not exist)

Other negative effects of benzoate are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the tightly closed, original container. It is crucial to keep this medication out of children’s reach and to store it in a closed, child-proof container. Children might be drawn to the design and appearance of the liquid-filled capsules, and they risk dying if they ingest the medicine. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

If benzonatate is unintentionally used, contact emergency services right away. Within 15 to 20 minutes of taking the medicine, overdose symptoms can appear, and children have been known to pass away within an hour. These signs could manifest as any of the following:

• Restlessness
• Body part shaking that is uncontrollable
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.