BENZONATATE
13 Jun 2019
Generic Name : BENZONATATE
ABSTRACT –
Benzonatate belongs to antitussives class of drugs used in treating cough. Also used as an oropharyngeal anesthetic for awake intubation. It acts on stretch receptors of the lungs. It is not administered to children below the age of 10. The drug acts fast in around 20 minutes and the effect remains upto 8 hours approximately. Para-amino benzoic acid (PABA) is the metabolite which causes allergic reactions in several patients.
DOSAGE –
- Benzonatate has to be taken as directed by the doctors.
- Prescribed dosage: Capsule: 100 mg, 200 mg (Capsules are generally chewable and liquid filled).
SIDE EFFECTS –
- Headache
- Bronchospasm
- Dizzinesss
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Itchy rashes
- Stuffed nose
RARE SIDE EFFECTS:
- Seizures only seen with heavy doses
- Irregular heartbeat
- Hallucinationss
- Choking feel in the throat
- Numbness and pain in the chest
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS:
- The patient may often suffer from regular tremors and shaking.
- The occurrence of prolonged rashes.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS:
- Treatment for long term might lead to cardiac arrhythmias.
- The patient may also suffer from regular seizures.
DRUG INTERACTIONS –
- Atricaine
- Bupivacaine
- Chloropocaine
- Mepivacaine
- Prilocaine
- Propofol
- Ropivacaine
- Saquivanir
- Tetracaine
- Tacrine
MILD INTERACTIONS OF BENZONATATE ARE:
- Acetaminophen
- Aliskiren
- Amlodipine
- Aspirin
- Belladonna
- Clevidipine
- Donepezil
- Doxacurium
- Galantamine
- Hydrocodone
- Ibuprofen
PRECAUTIONS –
- Take an allergy test, if allergic to PABA go for the substitutes.
- Before going for any kind of surgery, inform the doctor about the administration of the drug.
- Check the progress regularly.
- Administer the dose in kids carefully as an overdose may result in severe complexities.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION WITH BENZONATATE:
- It is not advised to administer the drug during pregnancy as it has the potential to act as a carcinogen to the fetus.
- It also shows adverse effects on developing fetus causing fetal toxicity.
- Before breastfeeding, consult the doctor as the milk contains traces of dextromethorphan.
WARNINGS –
- Do not stop the drug abruptly.
- If cough symptoms do not subside within a week, get other tests done as the issue may be something else.
- Consult the doctor immediately if there is numbness in mouth and pharynx
- Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.