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Benzonatate is a prescription non-narcotic cough medicine used for symptomatic relief of cough. Oral capsules are marketed in strengths that include 100 mg and 200 mg. The medicine acts outside the brain by numbing stretch receptors in the respiratory passages, lungs, and pleura. Safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 10.
read more about benzonatate ...Benzonatate anesthetizes stretch receptors in the respiratory passages, lungs, and pleura. Dampening activity at these receptors reduces the cough reflex at its source. The medicine begins to act within about 15 to 20 minutes after swallowing and its effects last about three to eight hours.
Benzonatate is approved for symptomatic relief of cough in adults and children older than 10 years. It treats the cough symptom rather than the underlying cause. Safety and efficacy are not established in children younger than 10, and accidental ingestion in younger children has resulted in rapid fatal overdose.
The usual dose for adults and children older than 10 is 100 mg or 200 mg three times daily as needed for cough. The total daily dose should not exceed 600 mg. Capsules are swallowed whole and should not be chewed, sucked, cut, crushed, broken, or dissolved.
Chewing or dissolving benzonatate in the mouth can rapidly numb the mouth and throat, causing choking or airway problems. Severe hypersensitivity reactions, including bronchospasm, laryngospasm, and cardiovascular collapse, have also been reported. Overdose can cause seizures, coma, cardiac arrest, and death, with fatal accidental ingestion reported in children.
Benzonatate is prescribed for symptomatic relief of cough.
The usual dose is 100 mg or 200 mg three times daily as needed, with a 600 mg daily limit.
No. Capsules must be swallowed whole due the risk of mouth and throat numbness, choking, and severe reactions.
No. Safety and efficacy are not established in children younger than 10, and accidental ingestion can be fatal.
Benzonatate. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682640.html. Date Accessed September 16, 2026.
Benzonatate Capsules USP, 100 mg and 200 mg. DailyMed. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=cf41278a-3fb6-4bcb-b86e-016a41314625&type=display. Date Accessed September 16, 2026.
Benzonatate Capsules, USP 100 mg and 200 mg. DailyMed. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=e33afd96-5ad3-4033-b067-981ac2ed2bea&type=display. Date Accessed September 16, 2026.
FDA Drug Safety Communication: Death Resulting From Overdose After Accidental Ingestion of Tessalon (Benzonatate) by Children Under 10 Years of Age. https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm236651.htm. Date Accessed September 16, 2026.
TESSALON (benzonatate) Prescribing Information. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/011210s053lbl.pdf. Date Accessed September 16, 2026.