What is Tessalon Perles (benzonatate)?
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) is a nonnarcotic antitussive (anti-cough) medication used to suppress coughs. It has an anesthetic (numbing) action similar to that of benzocaine and numbs the stretch sensors in the lungs. It is the stretching of these sensors with breathing that causes the cough.
Tessalon Perles begins to work within 15 to 20 minutes, and its effects last for approximately 3 to 8 hours. Tessalon Perles is unrelated to narcotics such as codeine, which is frequently used to suppress coughs.
Common side effects of Tessalon Perles include:
- sedation,
- headache,
- mild dizziness,
- constipation,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- nasal congestion,
- hallucinations,
- itching skin,
- rash,
- indigestion,
- confusion, and
- numbness in the chest.
Serious side effects of Tessalon Perles include severe hypersensitivity reactions (including airway spasms and cardiovascular collapse) that occur from sucking or chewing the capsule instead of swallowing it.
There are no known drug interactions with Tessalon Perles.
There is very little information about the effects of Tessalon Perles on a fetus. Physicians may use it during pregnancy if its benefits are deemed to outweigh its potential but unknown risks.
It is unknown Tessalon Perles is secreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
What are the important side effects of Tessalon Perles (benzonatate)?
WARNING
Benzonatate should not be used in children who are less than 10 years of age because unintentional overdose and death have been reported in this age group.
The most frequent adverse reactions of Tessalon Perles include:
Other side effects that have been reported include:
- Nasal congestion
- Hallucinations
- Itching skin
- Rash
- Indigestion
- Confusion
- Numbness in the chest
Severe hypersensitivity reactions (including airway spasms and cardiovascular collapse) may occur from sucking or chewing the capsule instead of swallowing it.
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) side effects list for healthcare professionals
Potential Adverse Reactions to Tessalon may include:
Hypersensitivity reactions including bronchospasm, laryngospasm, cardiovascular collapse possibly related to local anesthesia from chewing or sucking the capsule.
CNS: sedation; headache; dizziness; mental confusion; visual hallucinations.
GI: constipation; nausea; GI upset.
Dermatologic: pruritus; skin eruptions.
Other: nasal congestion; sensation of burning in the eyes; vague “chilly” sensation; numbness of the chest; hypersensitivity.
Deliberate or accidental overdose has resulted in death, particularly in children.
Summary
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) is a nonnarcotic antitussive (anti-cough) medication used to suppress coughs. It has an anesthetic (numbing) action similar to that of benzocaine and numbs the stretch sensors in the lungs. It is the stretching of these sensors with breathing that causes the cough. Common side effects of Tessalon Perles include sedation, headache, mild dizziness, constipation, nausea, vomiting, nasal congestion, hallucinations, itching skin, rash, indigestion, confusion, and numbness in the chest. There are no known drug interactions with Tessalon Perles. Children under 10 should not use Tessalon. There is very little information about the effects of Tessalon Perles on a fetus. Physicians may use it during pregnancy if its benefits are deemed to outweigh its potential but unknown risks. It is unknown Tessalon Perles is secreted into breast milk.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Cold and Flu: Finding Fast Cough ReliefRemedies for coughing to relieve symptoms, thin mucus, and clear phlegm include cough syrup and honey in hot water. Use...
-
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Symptoms, Vaccine FactsWhooping cough (Bordetella pertussis) is a highly contagious bacterial infection. Vaccines and antibiotics could prevent whooping...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Cold and Cough Medicine for Infants and ChildrenThe safety of giving infants and children over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medicine is important for caregivers to understand. While there is no "gold standard" recommendation for giving infants and children OTC cold and cough medicine for fever, aches, cough, and runny nose, a few standards have been recommended.
-
How to Stop CoughingLearn how to stop coughing attacks without medicine at night and at other times naturally. Learn about 19 tips to stop nighttime and persistent cough. Causes of excessive coughing include prescription medications, allergies, cigarette smoke, heart disease, and infections. Home remedies include natural herbs and supplements like ginger, honey, turmeric, and mint.
-
Is a Cough Contagious?There are many types of coughs, such as dry cough, wet cough, barking cough, whooping cough, stress-induced cough, acute cough, and chronic cough. A cough is a symptom of an underlying condition or disease. Treatment of cough as a symptom is generally with OTC lozenges and liquids. The cause of the cough will be necessary to treat.
-
Chronic CoughChronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease. Chronic cough treatment is based on the cause, but may be soothed natural and home remedies.
-
Children's Cough Causes and TreatmentsChildren's cough causes include infection, acid reflux, asthma, allergies or sinus infection, whooping cough, and exposure to irritants. Treatment for a child's cough include cough medicine for children over the age of four.
-
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Early whooping cough symptoms are a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, a mild cough with the cough gradually becoming more severe. Whooping cough commonly affects infants and young children but can be prevented with vaccine immunization.
-
Is Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Contagious?Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis. Whooping cough symptoms include severe coughing fits and whooping sound produced during inhalation. The bacteria spreads via airborne droplets produced during sneezing or coughing. There is a whooping cough vaccine that is typically administered during childhood vaccinations.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.