What Is Benzonatate Used For? A Detailed Overview


What Is Benzonatate Used For? A Detailed Overview

Benzonatate, typically marketed underneath the model identify Tessalon Perles, is a drugs primarily used to alleviate coughs. It really works by appearing straight on the cough middle in your mind, suppressing the urge to cough. Benzonatate is offered as a capsule or lozenge. It’s sometimes taken each 4 to 6 hours as wanted, with a most each day dosage of 180 mg.

Benzonatate is mostly thought-about secure and well-tolerated. Nonetheless, it may possibly trigger negative effects akin to drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, constipation, and headache. You will need to observe the dosage directions supplied by your physician or pharmacist to reduce the chance of negative effects. Benzonatate shouldn’t be utilized by youngsters underneath the age of 10 or by individuals with sure medical circumstances, akin to liver or kidney illness.

Within the following part, we’ll delve deeper into the precise circumstances for which benzonatate is usually used, exploring its mechanism of motion, advantages, and potential negative effects. We may also talk about the suitable dosage and administration tips, in addition to vital precautions and contraindications to think about.

what’s benzonatate used for

Benzonatate is a drugs primarily used to alleviate coughs.

  • Suppresses cough reflex
  • Acts on cough middle in mind
  • Accessible as capsule or lozenge
  • Dosage: 4-6 hours as wanted
  • Most each day dosage: 180 mg
  • Usually secure and well-tolerated
  • Potential negative effects: drowsiness, dizziness, nausea
  • Not for youngsters underneath 10 or individuals with liver/kidney illness

You will need to observe the dosage directions supplied by your physician or pharmacist to reduce the chance of negative effects. Benzonatate shouldn’t be utilized by youngsters underneath the age of 10 or by individuals with sure medical circumstances, akin to liver or kidney illness.

Suppresses cough reflex

Benzonatate works by suppressing the cough reflex, which is the physique’s pure response to irritation within the throat or lungs. If you cough, your mind sends indicators to your throat and lungs to expel the irritant.

  • Acts on cough middle in mind:

    Benzonatate works by straight appearing on the cough middle in your mind, which is accountable for triggering the cough reflex. It does this by blocking the indicators which are despatched from the cough middle to the throat and lungs.

  • Peripherally appearing:

    Not like another cough suppressants, benzonatate doesn’t work by numbing the throat or lungs. As an alternative, it really works peripherally, that means that it acts straight on the cough middle within the mind.

  • Non-narcotic:

    Benzonatate is a non-narcotic cough suppressant, which signifies that it doesn’t comprise any opioids. This makes it much less more likely to trigger negative effects akin to drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea.

  • Quick-acting:

    Benzonatate is a fast-acting cough suppressant, which signifies that it begins working shortly to alleviate your cough.

Total, benzonatate is an efficient and secure cough suppressant that works by suppressing the cough reflex within the mind. It’s a non-narcotic treatment that begins working shortly and is much less more likely to trigger negative effects than another cough suppressants.

Acts on cough middle in mind

Benzonatate works by appearing straight on the cough middle in your mind, which is accountable for triggering the cough reflex. It does this by blocking the indicators which are despatched from the cough middle to the throat and lungs.

  • Location of cough middle:

    The cough middle is positioned within the medulla oblongata, which is part of the brainstem. It’s accountable for coordinating the cough reflex.

  • Mechanism of motion:

    Benzonatate works by blocking the sodium channels within the cough middle. This prevents the indicators that set off coughing from being despatched to the throat and lungs.

  • Selective motion:

    Benzonatate is a selective cough suppressant, which signifies that it solely acts on the cough middle within the mind. This makes it much less more likely to trigger negative effects than another cough suppressants, which might additionally have an effect on different components of the mind and physique.

  • Quick-acting:

    Benzonatate is a fast-acting cough suppressant, which signifies that it begins working shortly to alleviate your cough.

Total, benzonatate is an efficient and secure cough suppressant that works by appearing straight on the cough middle within the mind. It’s a selective and fast-acting treatment that’s much less more likely to trigger negative effects than another cough suppressants.

Accessible as capsule or lozenge

Benzonatate is offered in two varieties: capsules and lozenges. Each varieties are taken orally, however they’ve totally different benefits and downsides.

Capsules:

  • Benefits:

    Capsules are straightforward to swallow and may be taken with or with out meals. They’re additionally much less more likely to trigger mouth irritation than lozenges.

  • Disadvantages:

    Capsules might take longer to start out working than lozenges. They may also be costlier than lozenges.

Lozenges:

  • Benefits:

    Lozenges dissolve slowly within the mouth, which might present a soothing impact on the throat. Additionally they begin working extra shortly than capsules.

  • Disadvantages:

    Lozenges may be costlier than capsules. They’ll additionally trigger mouth irritation, akin to dryness or a burning sensation.

In the end, one of the best type of benzonatate for you’ll rely in your particular person preferences and wishes. In case you are not sure which kind is best for you, speak to your physician or pharmacist.

Listed here are some further issues to bear in mind when selecting a type of benzonatate:

  • Capsules are usually not appropriate for youngsters underneath the age of 6.
  • Lozenges are usually not appropriate for youngsters underneath the age of 10.
  • Folks with problem swallowing might choose capsules.
  • Folks with a delicate throat might choose lozenges.

Dosage: 4-6 hours as wanted

Benzonatate is usually taken each 4 to 6 hours as wanted, with a most each day dosage of 180 mg. Because of this you shouldn’t take greater than 180 mg of benzonatate in a 24-hour interval.

The dosage of benzonatate that’s best for you will rely in your age, weight, and the severity of your cough. Your physician will decide the suitable dosage for you.

Basic dosage tips:

  • Adults and kids 12 years of age and older: 100 mg each 4 to 6 hours as wanted, with a most each day dosage of 180 mg.
  • Kids 6 to 11 years of age: 50 mg each 4 to 6 hours as wanted, with a most each day dosage of 100 mg.
  • Kids underneath 6 years of age: Benzonatate will not be advisable for youngsters underneath the age of 6.

Essential dosage info:

  • Don’t take greater than the advisable dosage. Taking greater than the advisable dosage of benzonatate can improve your threat of negative effects.
  • Don’t take benzonatate for greater than 7 days. In case your cough doesn’t enhance after 7 days, see your physician.
  • Benzonatate shouldn’t be utilized by youngsters underneath the age of 6.
  • Benzonatate shouldn’t be utilized by individuals with sure medical circumstances, akin to liver or kidney illness.

If in case you have any questions concerning the dosage of benzonatate, speak to your physician or pharmacist.

Listed here are some further issues to bear in mind when taking benzonatate:

  • Take benzonatate with a full glass of water.
  • Don’t crush, chew, or break benzonatate capsules.
  • Don’t take benzonatate if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Inform your physician about the entire medicines you’re taking, together with prescription, over-the-counter, and natural medicines.

Most each day dosage: 180 mg

The utmost each day dosage of benzonatate is 180 mg. Because of this you shouldn’t take greater than 180 mg of benzonatate in a 24-hour interval.

  • Purpose for max dosage:

    The utmost each day dosage of benzonatate is about to cut back the chance of negative effects. Taking greater than the advisable dosage can improve your threat of negative effects, akin to drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, constipation, and headache.

  • Signs of overdose:

    Signs of a benzonatate overdose can embody drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and seizures. If you happen to suppose you have got taken an overdose of benzonatate, name your physician or poison management middle instantly.

  • What to do should you miss a dose:

    If you happen to miss a dose of benzonatate, take it as quickly as you bear in mind. Nonetheless, whether it is nearly time in your subsequent dose, skip the missed dose and take your subsequent dose on the common time. Don’t take two doses on the similar time.

  • Significance of following dosage directions:

    You will need to observe the dosage directions supplied by your physician or pharmacist. Taking roughly than the advisable dosage can improve your threat of negative effects.

If in case you have any questions concerning the most each day dosage of benzonatate, speak to your physician or pharmacist.

Usually secure and well-tolerated

Benzonatate is mostly thought-about secure and well-tolerated. Because of this most individuals who take benzonatate don’t expertise any negative effects. Nonetheless, some individuals might expertise gentle negative effects, akin to drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, constipation, and headache.

Widespread negative effects of benzonatate:

  • Drowsiness: That is the most typical facet impact of benzonatate. You will need to pay attention to this facet impact if you’re working equipment or driving a automobile.
  • Dizziness: This facet impact is much less frequent than drowsiness. You will need to keep away from sudden modifications in place, akin to standing up shortly, if you’re experiencing dizziness.
  • Nausea: This facet impact can be much less frequent than drowsiness. It may be useful to take benzonatate with meals or milk to cut back the chance of nausea.
  • Constipation: This facet impact is uncommon. You will need to drink loads of fluids and eat a nutritious diet to cut back the chance of constipation.
  • Headache: This facet impact can be uncommon. It may be useful to take over-the-counter ache relievers, akin to ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to alleviate a headache.

In uncommon circumstances, benzonatate may cause extra critical negative effects, akin to:

  • Allergic response: Signs of an allergic response to benzonatate can embody rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and problem respiration.
  • Seizures: This facet impact is uncommon and is extra more likely to happen in individuals who take excessive doses of benzonatate.
  • Liver injury: This facet impact can be uncommon and is extra more likely to happen in individuals who take excessive doses of benzonatate for a protracted time frame.

If you happen to expertise any negative effects from benzonatate, speak to your physician. They might advocate decreasing your dosage or switching to a unique treatment.

Total, benzonatate is a secure and efficient treatment for the aid of coughs. Nonetheless, it is very important pay attention to the potential negative effects of benzonatate earlier than taking it.

Potential negative effects: drowsiness, dizziness, nausea

Benzonatate may cause quite a lot of negative effects, together with drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea. These negative effects are normally gentle and go away inside just a few days. Nonetheless, they are often extra extreme in some individuals.

Drowsiness:

  • That is the most typical facet impact of benzonatate.
  • You will need to pay attention to this facet impact if you’re working equipment or driving a automobile.
  • To scale back the chance of drowsiness, keep away from taking benzonatate with alcohol or different sedatives.
  • You can even attempt taking benzonatate at evening to cut back the impression of drowsiness in the course of the day.

Dizziness:

  • This facet impact is much less frequent than drowsiness.
  • You will need to keep away from sudden modifications in place, akin to standing up shortly, if you’re experiencing dizziness.
  • To scale back the chance of dizziness, keep away from taking benzonatate with alcohol or different sedatives.
  • You can even attempt taking benzonatate at evening to cut back the impression of dizziness in the course of the day.

Nausea:

  • This facet impact can be much less frequent than drowsiness.
  • It may be useful to take benzonatate with meals or milk to cut back the chance of nausea.
  • If you happen to expertise nausea after taking benzonatate, attempt taking it with a smaller meal or snack.
  • You can even attempt taking benzonatate at evening to cut back the impression of nausea in the course of the day.

If you happen to expertise any of those negative effects, speak to your physician. They might advocate decreasing your dosage or switching to a unique treatment.

In uncommon circumstances, benzonatate may cause extra critical negative effects, akin to allergic reactions, seizures, and liver injury. Nonetheless, these negative effects are very uncommon.

Not for youngsters underneath 10 or individuals with liver/kidney illness

Benzonatate will not be advisable for youngsters underneath the age of 10 or for individuals with liver or kidney illness.

Kids underneath 10:

  • Benzonatate will not be authorized to be used in youngsters underneath the age of 10.
  • It is because benzonatate may cause critical negative effects in youngsters, akin to seizures and respiratory melancholy.
  • In case your little one has a cough, speak to your physician about different cough suppressants which are secure for youngsters.

Folks with liver or kidney illness:

  • Benzonatate will not be advisable for individuals with liver or kidney illness.
  • It is because benzonatate is metabolized within the liver and excreted by the kidneys.
  • In individuals with liver or kidney illness, benzonatate might not be correctly metabolized or excreted, which might result in a build-up of the drug within the physique and an elevated threat of negative effects.
  • If in case you have liver or kidney illness and you’ve got a cough, speak to your physician about different cough suppressants which are secure for you.

You will need to observe the dosage directions supplied by your physician or pharmacist. Taking greater than the advisable dosage of benzonatate can improve your threat of negative effects, particularly if you’re a toddler underneath 10 or an individual with liver or kidney illness.

If in case you have any questions on whether or not benzonatate is secure for you, speak to your physician.

FAQ

Listed here are some incessantly requested questions on benzonatate:

Query 1: What’s benzonatate used for?
Reply: Benzonatate is a drugs used to alleviate coughs. It really works by appearing straight on the cough middle in your mind, suppressing the urge to cough.

Query 2: How do I take benzonatate?
Reply: Benzonatate is offered as a capsule or lozenge. It’s sometimes taken each 4 to 6 hours as wanted, with a most each day dosage of 180 mg.

Query 3: What are the negative effects of benzonatate?
Reply: The most typical negative effects of benzonatate are drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, constipation, and headache. In uncommon circumstances, benzonatate may cause extra critical negative effects, akin to allergic reactions, seizures, and liver injury.

Query 4: Is benzonatate secure for youngsters?
Reply: Benzonatate will not be advisable for youngsters underneath the age of 10. It is because benzonatate may cause critical negative effects in youngsters, akin to seizures and respiratory melancholy.

Query 5: Is benzonatate secure for individuals with liver or kidney illness?
Reply: Benzonatate will not be advisable for individuals with liver or kidney illness. It is because benzonatate is metabolized within the liver and excreted by the kidneys. In individuals with liver or kidney illness, benzonatate might not be correctly metabolized or excreted, which might result in a build-up of the drug within the physique and an elevated threat of negative effects.

Query 6: How lengthy can I take benzonatate?
Reply: Benzonatate shouldn’t be taken for greater than 7 days. In case your cough doesn’t enhance after 7 days, see your physician.

Query 7: What ought to I do if I miss a dose of benzonatate?
Reply: If you happen to miss a dose of benzonatate, take it as quickly as you bear in mind. Nonetheless, whether it is nearly time in your subsequent dose, skip the missed dose and take your subsequent dose on the common time. Don’t take two doses on the similar time.

Closing Paragraph for FAQ:

If in case you have some other questions on benzonatate, speak to your physician or pharmacist.

Along with taking benzonatate, there are a variety of different issues you are able to do to alleviate your cough, akin to ingesting loads of fluids, getting loads of relaxation, and utilizing a humidifier.

Suggestions

Listed here are some suggestions for relieving your cough:

Tip 1: Drink loads of fluids.

Staying hydrated helps to skinny mucus and maintain your throat from getting dry and irritated. Goal to drink eight glasses of water per day.

Tip 2: Get loads of relaxation.

If you’re sick, your physique wants time to heal. Make sure that to get loads of relaxation in order that your immune system can do its job.

Tip 3: Use a humidifier.

A humidifier might help so as to add moisture to the air, which might help to assuage a dry throat and scale back coughing. You should use a warm-mist humidifier or a cool-mist humidifier.

Tip 4: Gargle with salt water.

Gargling with salt water might help to assuage a sore throat and scale back coughing. To make salt water, combine one-half teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of heat water. Gargle for 30 seconds to at least one minute, then spit out the water.

Tip 5: Attempt honey.

Honey has antibacterial and antiviral properties that may assist to struggle off an infection and scale back coughing. You possibly can take one to 2 teaspoons of honey as much as thrice per day. You can even add honey to tea or sizzling water.

Tip 6: Use over-the-counter cough suppressants.

There are a variety of over-the-counter cough suppressants accessible that may assist to alleviate your cough. Some frequent elements in cough suppressants embody dextromethorphan and guaifenesin. Remember to learn the labels rigorously and observe the dosage directions.

Closing Paragraph for Suggestions:

In case your cough is extreme or doesn’t enhance after seven days, see your physician. There could also be an underlying medical situation that’s inflicting your cough.

By following the following pointers, you’ll be able to assist to alleviate your cough and get again to feeling higher.

Conclusion

Benzonatate is a secure and efficient treatment for the aid of coughs. It really works by appearing straight on the cough middle within the mind, suppressing the urge to cough.

Benzonatate is offered as a capsule or lozenge. It’s sometimes taken each 4 to 6 hours as wanted, with a most each day dosage of 180 mg. The most typical negative effects of benzonatate are drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, constipation, and headache.

Benzonatate will not be advisable for youngsters underneath the age of 10 or for individuals with liver or kidney illness.

If in case you have a cough, speak to your physician about whether or not benzonatate is best for you.

Closing Message:

Keep in mind, coughing is a pure reflex that helps to guard your lungs from irritation. Nonetheless, in case your cough is extreme or doesn’t enhance after seven days, see your physician. There could also be an underlying medical situation that’s inflicting your cough.

By following the ideas on this article, you’ll be able to assist to alleviate your cough and get again to feeling higher.