Benzonatate Cough Suppressant: Interactions & Side EffectsLocations:||||||Home/Health Library/Drugs, Devices & Supplements/Benzonatate CapsulesAdvertisementAdvertisementBenzonatate CapsulesBenzonatate is a prescription cough suppressant. It calms your cough reflex to help prevent coughing for three to eight hours after taking a dose. It’s not a steroid or a narcotic. Benzonatate overdoses can be very dangerous or even fatal. Use this medication only as prescribed and keep it out of reach of children.AdvertisementCleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. PolicyCare at Cleveland ClinicFind a Primary Care ProviderSchedule an AppointmentContentsArrow DownContentsArrow DownOverviewWhat is this medication?BENZONATATE (ben ZOE na tate) is used to relieve cough. It works by calming your cough reflex. It belongs to a group of medications called cough suppressants.AdvertisementCleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. PolicyThis medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Tessalon Perles, ZonatussWhat should I tell my care team before I take this medication?They need to know if you have any of these conditions:Kidney or liver diseaseAn unusual or allergic reaction to benzonatate, anesthetics, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservativesPregnant or trying to get pregnantBreast-feedingHow should I use this medication?Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Avoid breaking, chewing, or sucking the capsule, as this can cause serious side effects. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take your medication more often than directed.Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 10 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.What if I miss a dose?If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.AdvertisementWhat may interact with this medication?Do not take this medication with any of the following:MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and ParnateThis list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.What should I watch for while using this medication?Tell your care team if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse. If you have a high fever, skin rash, or headache, see your care team.You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throatConfusionHallucinationsSide effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):Burning or tingling of the tongue, mouth, throat, or faceDizzinessDrowsinessThis list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.Where should I keep my medication?Keep out of the reach of children.Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep tightly closed. Protect from light and moisture. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.Care at Cleveland ClinicFind a Primary Care ProviderSchedule an AppointmentAdditional Common QuestionsWhat is benzonatate used for?Benzonatate treats a cough by calming your cough reflex and suppressing (stopping) your cough. This makes benzonatate different from an expectorant, which doesn’t stop you from coughing but makes your cough more productive (it brings up mucus).Benzonatate requires a prescription from a healthcare provider. Don’t take benzonatate — or any medication — that a provider prescribed for someone else.Use this medication exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. You must always swallow the capsule whole. Don’t crush, chew or dissolve the capsule in your mouth. Doing so allows the contents of the capsule to touch your mouth and throat. This may numb your mouth and throat, leading you to choke.Never use benzonatate to treat a child’s cough unless their healthcare provider prescribes it specifically for them. Benzonatate is only safe for children age 10 and older. Even then, be sure to carefully follow dosing instructions. Don’t let your child take the medication on their own. And be sure to keep benzonatate and all other medications out of reach of children.AdvertisementSigns of benzonatate overdoseSigns of overdose include:RestlessnessTremors (trembling or shaking)SeizuresPassing outChest painAccidental and intentional overdoses of benzonatate can cause serious harm or death in children and adults. If you suspect an overdose, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (U.S.). An expert is available 24/7 to help. If the person collapses, stops breathing or won’t wake up, call 911 (or your local emergency service number) instead.Does benzonatate make your cough go away?When taken as prescribed, benzonatate may help your cough go away for a while. You should start feeling relief about 15 to 20 minutes after taking a dose. This relief may last anywhere from three to eight hours.Keep in mind that prescription cough medications aren’t always necessary. You may be able to find relief with over-the-counter (OTC) medications or home remedies like a cool-mist humidifier. Talk to a healthcare provider about what’s right for you.What should you do if you miss a dose of benzonatate?Take the missed dose as soon as you think about it. If the dose is close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the normal time. Do NOT take two doses at the same time.How should I store this medication?Store benzonatate at room temperature. But don’t store it in your bathroom.What drugs should not be taken with benzonatate?Benzonatate may not be safe to take along with:AdvertisementPsychotropic medications. This is a large category of medications that treat mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. There’s a slight chance benzonatate may cause side effects like confusion, hallucinations or other changes to your mental awareness. So, it may not be safe to take benzonatate along with psychotropic medications, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, that affect your mind. Your provider will advise you according to the medications you’re taking.Medications that cause drowsiness. Benzonatate may make you sleepy. So, you shouldn’t take it along with any other medications that can also cause sleepiness. These include sedatives and over-the-counter cold medications. Be cautious while using heavy machinery or driving if you experience drowsiness while taking benzonatate.Talk to a healthcare provider about any and all substances you’re taking. These include:Prescription medicationsOver-the-counter medicationsNutritional supplementsHerbal supplementsAlcohol, tobacco and recreational drugsDon’t try to decide on your own if benzonatate is safe for you. Your provider will decide based on the medications and/or substances you’re taking and your medical history. Follow their guidance closely.AdvertisementIs benzonatate a steroid?No, benzonatate isn’t a steroid (corticosteroid). It’s a cough suppressant, or what healthcare providers call an antitussive medication. It calms the cough reflex in your airways.Is benzonatate a narcotic?No, benzonatate isn’t a narcotic (opioid). Healthcare providers classify benzonatate as a non-narcotic cough suppressant.A note from Cleveland ClinicA persistent cough can keep you up at night and make it hard to focus during the day. Benzonatate is a cough suppressant that may help, but it always requires a prescription from a healthcare provider. Be sure to keep this medication out of reach of children and seek medical help immediately for a suspected overdose.Note: Intro and FAQ sections written and reviewed by Cleveland Clinic professionals.Care at Cleveland ClinicCleveland Clinic’s primary care providers offer lifelong medical care. From sinus infections and high blood pressure to preventive screening, we’re here for you.Find a Primary Care ProviderSchedule an AppointmentCopyright ©2025 Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved..Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.ReferencesAdvertisementAdvertisementAdCall Appointment Center Questions Rendered: Fri Jun 20 2025 14:42:54 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)ActionsBlog, News & AppsAbout Cleveland ClinicSite Information & Policies9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 | 800.223.2273 | © 2025 Cleveland Clinic. All Rights Reserved., Benzonatate is a non-narcotic cough medicine. Benzonatate works by numbing the throat and lungs, making the cough reflex less active. Benzonatate is used to relieve coughing., Benzonatate is used to relieve coughs due to colds or influenza (flu). It is not to be used for chronic cough that occurs with smoking, asthma, or emphysema or when there is an unusually large amount of mucus or phlegm with the cough..