How Many Days Can You Safely Take the Cough Medicine Benzonatate?

Benzonatate Usage and Dosing Guidelines

Benzonatate is a prescription cough medicine used to relieve coughs caused by colds, the flu, allergies, and other lung irritants. It works by numbing the stretched nerves in the lungs which trigger cough reflexes.

Understanding the proper dosage and duration for taking benzonatate can ensure safe, effective relief from cough symptoms.

What is Benzonatate?

Benzonatate is the generic name for the brand name prescription cough medicine Tessalon Perles. It comes in 100mg and 200mg soft gel capsules.

Benzonatate helps control coughs by inhibiting the hypersensitivity of cough reflexes in the lungs. It allows the lungs to relax so you don't feel the constant urge to cough.

Benzonatate starts working within 15-20 minutes and provides cough relief for 8-10 hours. It is only intended for temporary relief and does not treat any underlying conditions causing the cough.

Usual Adult Dosage for Benzonatate

The recommended dosage for adults and children over 10 years old is:

• 100-200mg taken orally every 8-10 hours as needed
• Maximum daily dose should not exceed 600mg (3 capsules)

Benzonatate dosage may be decreased to 100mg every 12 hours for some patients depending on severity of symptoms.

Usual Children's Dosage for Ages 4-10

The FDA has approved benzonatate for children ages 4-10 years when prescribed by a doctor. The usual dose for ages 4-10 is:

• 100mg every 8-10 hours as needed, not to exceed 300mg (3 capsules) in 24 hours

Safety Concerns for Children Under Age 4

Benzonatate has NOT been approved as safe and effective for children under 4 years old. Accidental overdose and death has occurred in children given benzonatate capsules due to the risk of aspiration.

If benzonatate must be given to children under 4, use an age-appropriate dosage form like liquid or orally dissolving tablets specifically made for young children.

How Many Days Can You Take Benzonatate?

Benzonatate is intended only for temporary relief of coughs caused by minor conditions like a cold or flu. It should only be taken for:

• Adults: up to 7 days
• Children ages 4-10: up to 5 days

Do not use benzonatate for more than the recommended time unless specified by your doctor, as longer use increases risks and may indicate underlying lung disease needing evaluation.

When to Call Your Doctor

You should call your doctor if:

• Cough lasts more than 1 week in adults, or more than 5 days in children
• Cough returns after completing benzonatate therapy
• Cough is accompanied by fever, wheezing, chest pain, difficulty breathing
• You need to take benzonatate longer than recommended

An underlying lung infection or condition like pneumonia, bronchitis, or asthma may require additional medications like antibiotics, inhalers, or steroids alongside temporary cough relief medicine.

Safety Tips When Taking Benzonatate

The following precautions are important when taking benzonatate:

• Take only as directed and don't exceed dosage limits
• Never give benzonatate to children under age 4
• Use an age-appropriate formulation for young children
• Don't crush or break capsules which could cause choking
• Avoid alcohol while taking benzonatate
• Be aware it may cause drowsiness or dizziness
• Don't use for chronic coughs without seeing your doctor

Warnings About Benzonatate Overdose

Although rare, serious overdose with benzonatate can lead to seizures, cardiac arrest, coma, and death. Call 911 or poison control immediately if you suspect an overdose.

Overdose is more likely to occur in young children who accidentally ingest the capsules. Keep benzonatate locked up and out of reach of children!

Side Effects of Benzonatate

Benzonatate is generally well tolerated when taken as directed. Potential side effects include:

• Drowsiness
• Nervousness
• Dizziness
• Nausea, stomach upset
• Rash
• Headache
• Constipation
• Vision problems

More serious side effects are possible with overdose or allergic reaction. Discontinue use and seek medical care if you experience:

• Severe dizziness or drowsiness
• Mental confusion or hallucinations
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Swelling of the face, throat, tongue or lips
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

Drowsiness Warnings with Benzonatate

Benzonatate may cause drowsiness or "hangover" effects that can persist for several hours after taking a dose. Use caution when driving or operating machinery.

Avoid any other medicines that cause drowsiness as well, such as cold medicines, sedatives, opioids, antihistamines, or alcohol while taking benzonatate.

Drug Interactions with Benzonatate

The following drugs may interact with benzonatate:

• Alcohol - increases drowsiness
• Opioid pain relievers - dangerous oversedation
• Antidepressants like amitriptyline - increased risk of side effects
• Anticholinergics like benztropine - may affect absorption

Tell your doctor about any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, supplements, or herbs you take before starting benzonatate. Your doctor can screen for any potentially harmful interactions.

Is It Safe to Take Benzonatate with Other Cough Medicines?

Using benzonatate with other cough suppressing medicines like dextromethorphan or codeine is not generally recommended, as it increases the risk of dangerous drowsiness and breathing problems without added benefit.

However, your doctor may prescribe benzonatate with certain expectorants like guaifenesin or cough medicine combinations if needed. Follow dosing instructions carefully and monitor for sedation.

Is Benzonatate a Narcotic?

No, benzonatate is not classified as a narcotic or controlled substance. It does not contain opioids or have potential for addiction or abuse.

However, at high doses, benzonatate can potentially cause hallucinations, euphoria, and dissociative effects similar to the club drug ketamine. Misusing the capsules to get high would be extremely dangerous and life-threatening.

Safe Storage of Benzonatate

There are no special storage requirements for benzonatate capsules. Keep them sealed in the original container at room temperature away from excess heat, moisture, and sunlight.

Be sure to store benzonatate safely out of reach and sight of children and teens. It should be kept up high and ideally in a locked cabinet.

What to Do If a Benzonatate Dose Is Missed?

If you miss a dose of benzonatate, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is close to the time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your regular dosing schedule.

Do not double up doses or take extra benzonatate to try to make up for the missed dose. This puts you at greater risk of side effects and overdose.

Can You Cut or Crush Benzonatate Capsules?

No, benzonatate capsules should be swallowed whole and never crushed, cut, or chewed. The capsule beads may cause choking if released from the capsule.

However, some compounded liquid formulations may be available for patients who cannot swallow pills. Talk to your pharmacist about options.

Tapering Off Benzonatate

Benzonatate is only intended for short term use and does not usually require tapering. However, if you have been taking it regularly for an extended period, talk to your doctor about gradually decreasing your dosage over several days when discontinuing use.

This helps avoid any rebound worsening of cough symptoms and side effects like dizziness or nausea from stopping benzonatate abruptly.

Benzonatate Drug Dependence

Benzonatate is not habit forming when used correctly for coughs. There is no evidence that it causes drug dependence or addiction.

However, misuse by taking very high recreational doses for a euphoric dissociative effect can potentially lead to psychological dependence. Seek help if you feel you cannot control benzonatate use.

Bottom Line on Benzonatate Dosage and Duration

When used as directed to temporarily relieve coughs from colds or allergies, benzonatate is generally safe and effective. Carefully follow dosage guidelines and never exceed the maximum daily amount.

Only use benzonatate for the recommended duration of 5-7 days for children and adults respectively. See your doctor if cough persists longer to evaluate any underlying illness.

Be alert to side effects like drowsiness and avoid drug interactions. Properly store benzonatate out of reach of children and misuse can have serious consequences. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you have any concerns about using this medication.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.