benzonatate

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum 

Action: 

Cough suppression: The drug acts on the cough reflex by anesthetizing the stretch receptors in the respiratory passages, lungs, and pleura (the lining of the lungs). This action helps to reduce the frequency and intensity of coughing. 

Spectrum: The drug is effective in suppressing coughs associated with various conditions, including: 

Common cold: The drug can provide relief from the irritating cough caused by the common cold. 

Respiratory infections: It can be used to alleviate coughing associated with respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinusitis. 

Allergies: The drug may be prescribed to suppress coughing related to allergic reactions, such as hay fever or seasonal allergies. 

Postoperative and postnasal drip cough: It can help control coughing after surgical procedures or due to excessive mucus secretion from postnasal drip. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined  

Skin eruptions 

Pruritus 

Sedation 

Nausea 

Headache 

Chest numbness 

Hallucinations 

Confusion 

Dizzines 

Chilly sensation 

Constipation 

GI upset 

Nasal congestion 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning:  

None  

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution:  

Hypersensitivity: The drug should not be used in individuals who have a known hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to the medication or any of its ingredients. 

History of methemoglobinemia: methemoglobinemia is a condition where the blood has reduced oxygen-carrying capacity. The drug may potentially exacerbate this condition, so caution should be exercised or an alternative treatment considered in individuals with a history of methemoglobinemia. 

Concurrent use with local anesthetics: The drug should not be used concurrently with or in close proximity to the use of local anesthetics, as it may increase the risk of local anesthetic toxicity. 

Pre-existing respiratory depression: The drug may suppress the cough reflex and, in higher doses, can cause respiratory depression.  

Concomitant use with alcohol or sedatives: The drug has sedating effects, and when combined with alcohol or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, it may increase the risk of excessive sedation or respiratory depression.  

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy warnings:     

Pregnancy category: C 

Lactation: Excreted into human milk is unknown 

Pregnancy Categories:         

Category A: Studies that were well-controlled and met expectations revealed no risk to the fetus in either the first or second trimester. 

Category B: There were a lack of studies on pregnant women and no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal experiments.   

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.    

Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.   

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.    

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category

Pharmacology

Pharmacology:  

benzonatate is a medication used as a cough suppressant to relieve coughing. It is commonly prescribed for symptomatic relief of non-productive cough, which is a cough that does not produce mucus or phlegm.   

Pharmacodynamics:  

The drug is a non-narcotic antitussive agent that works by reducing the sensitivity of the respiratory stretch receptors located in the airways, lungs, and pleura. It is thought to act directly on the cough center in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem, reducing the frequency and intensity of coughing. 

Local Anesthetic Effects: The drug belongs to the class of drugs known as ester-type local anesthetics. It has a numbing effect on the stretch receptors in the respiratory passages, which helps to suppress the cough reflex. By numbing the receptors, it reduces the urge to cough, providing symptomatic relief.  

Cough Suppression: The drug acts by inhibiting the afferent (sensory) impulses of the cough reflex arc without affecting the ciliary activity of the respiratory tract. This means that it primarily works by reducing the sensitivity of the nerves involved in the cough reflex, rather than by suppressing the underlying cause of the cough itself.  

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption 

After oral administration, The drug is typically absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. 

Distribution 

The drug is likely to be distributed throughout the body after absorption. It may bind to plasma proteins, such as albumin, to varying degrees. The extent of distribution into different tissues and organs is not well-documented.  

Metabolism 

The drug undergoes hepatic metabolism, primarily through ester hydrolysis. It is metabolized in the liver by carboxylesterase enzymes to form the major metabolite, 4-(butylamino) benzoic acid. This metabolite is believed to be pharmacologically inactive.   

Excretion and elimination 

The elimination of this drug and its metabolites primarily occurs through renal excretion. The exact route and rate of excretion of drug have not been extensively studied. It is important to note that the elimination half-life of benzonatate is reported to be in the range of 3 to 8 hours. 

Adminstartion

Administration:  

Dosage: Take the drug exactly as prescribed by your doctor.  

Timing: Take drug with or without food, as directed by your doctor. Some people find that taking it after meals helps reduce any stomach discomfort. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: benzonatate 

Why do we use benzonatate?  

Cough suppression: The drug is commonly prescribed to alleviate coughing. It is particularly useful for dry, non-productive coughs that do not produce mucus or phlegm. 

Respiratory conditions: The drug may be used for respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory tract infections.   

Postoperative cough: After surgical procedures involving the chest or upper abdominal area, patients often experience a persistent cough due to irritation or inflammation. The drug can be prescribed in such cases to alleviate the postoperative cough and provide relief. 

Other conditions: In some cases, The drug may be used off-label for other conditions involving persistent, non-productive coughing, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), whooping cough (pertussis), and allergies.