{"id":53823,"date":"2022-09-13T09:30:11","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T13:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=53823"},"modified":"2022-09-08T12:28:49","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T16:28:49","slug":"how-many-days-can-you-take-benzonatate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-many-days-can-you-take-benzonatate\/","title":{"rendered":"How long can you take benzonatate?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you\u2019re sick with a respiratory illness, the constant hacking and coughing can drive you up a wall. It haunts your waking hours and even keeps you up at night. That\u2019s where benzonatate, also known by its brand name <\/span>Tessalon Perles<\/span><\/a>, comes in. This <\/span>antitussive<\/span><\/a> prescription helps to suppress your cough, giving you a much-needed break to get some rest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Benzonatate<\/span><\/a> is a cough medicine that works to reduce the reflex in one\u2019s lungs that creates the urge to cough,\u201d says <\/span>Po-Chang Hsu, MD<\/span><\/a>, medical content expert for <\/span>Sleeping Ocean<\/span><\/a>. \u201cBy alleviating the reflex, benzonatate relieves coughing.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, benzonatate does not cure the illness that\u2019s causing your cough\u2014it simply provides temporary relief. Meaning, it should only be a temporary aid while you\u2019re in the process of getting better. If you\u2019ve ever wondered, \u201cHow many days can you take benzonatate,\u201d read on.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>RELATED: <\/b>How to stop a night cough with OTC medications and home remedies<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

How many days can you take benzonatate?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Benzonatate<\/span><\/a> is a non-narcotic (non-opioid) prescription that is similar to anesthetics procaine and tetracaine. It\u2019s a type of anesthetic that numbs the receptors in your breathing pathways to stop your cough reflex for about three to eight hours at a time.<\/span> It is not addictive so there isn\u2019t a <\/span>limit<\/span><\/i> on the number of days you can take it. However, if you are still coughing after seven days of taking this medication you should let your healthcare provider know.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBenzonatate is typically prescribed for around a week or so,\u201d says Dr. Hsu. \u201cThis timeframe is usually enough to relieve coughing in most patients. However, the treatment duration may vary depending on the severity of one\u2019s condition.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How to take benzonatate<\/span><\/h2>\n

Benzonatate is recommended for use to suppress a dry cough caused by an illness such as the common cold, flu, or pneumonia. \u201cThis medication is wonderful at \u2018numbing\u2019 the cough mechanism allowing you to have temporary relief of coughing,\u201d says <\/span>Melody Rodarte<\/span><\/a>, DO, a double-board certified internal and obesity medicine specialist at Activated Health & Wellness in Gilbert, AZ. \u201cBut benzonatate is not \u2018curing\u2019 the cough, rather it\u2019s helping to relieve symptoms so that you can rest and recover.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Benzonatate will only stop the cough temporarily while the medication lasts. This medication is not recommended for use in people with chronic cough conditions unrelated to an illness\u2014such as smoking, asthma, or emphysema.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ve been taking benzonatate for up to a week and symptoms persist or if symptoms worsen like you are coughing blood or you have blood-tinged phlegm, then you should notify your healthcare provider,\u201d Dr. Rodarte says. \u201cAlso, if other symptoms start, like shortness of breath, you should contact your provider.\u201d These may be signs of more serious medical conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Benzonatate dosage to relieve coughing<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s safe to take benzonatate every day, but it\u2019s crucial to stick to the dosage recommended by your healthcare provider,\u201d Dr. Hsu says. The <\/span>typical dose of benzonatate<\/span><\/a> capsules is 100 mg or 200 mg taken by mouth three times a day as needed. Bezonatate usually starts to relieve cough within 20 minutes. If you forget to take it, just skip the missed dose and follow your regular schedule for your next dose. You should not take more than 600 mg per day or more than 200 mg capsule of benzonatate at one time\u2014even if your cough has not stopped.<\/span><\/p>\n

You should swallow the benzonatate capsule whole, and you can take benzonatate with or without food. If sucked or chewed, or if the capsule breaks in your mouth, you may experience a severe allergic reaction and\/or numbness in your mouth, throat, and face. If you have trouble swallowing pills, then you should not take benzonatate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Benzonatate is only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults and children older than 10 years of age. In 2010, the <\/span>FDA issued a warning<\/span><\/a> that accidental ingestion of benzonatate by a child under 10 years old can cause death from overdose. Be sure to store the medication at room temperature in a child-resistant container and out of reach of children. If accidental ingestion occurs, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 and seek emergency medical attention immediately.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Common side effects of benzonatate<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you take benzonatate, you might experience adverse effects. Some <\/span>common side effects<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n