Hypersensitivity

Severe hypersensitivity reactions (including bronchospasm, laryngospasm and cardiovascular collapse) have been reported which are possibly related to local anesthesia from sucking or chewing the capsule instead of swallowing it. Severe reactions have required intervention with vasopressor agents and supportive measures.

Psychiatric Effects

Isolated instances of bizarre behavior, including mental confusion and visual hallucinations, have also been reported in patients taking benzonatate capsules in combination with other prescribed drugs.

Accidental Ingestion and Death in Children

Keep benzonatate capsules out of reach of children. Accidental ingestion of benzonatate capsules resulting in death has been reported in children below age 10. Signs and symptoms of overdose have been reported within 15 to 20 minutes and death has been reported within one hour of ingestion. If accidental ingestion occurs, seek medical attention immediately (see OVERDOSAGE).

Information for patients

Swallow benzonatate capsules whole. Do not break, chew, dissolve, cut, or crush benzonatate capsules.Release of benzonatate from the capsule in the mouth can produce a temporary local anesthesia of the oral mucosa and choking could occur. If numbness or tingling of the tongue, mouth, throat, or face occurs, refrain from oral ingestion of food or liquids until the numbness has resolved. If the symptoms worsen or persist, seek medical attention.

Keep benzonatate capsules out of reach of children. Accidental ingestion resulting in death has been reported in children. Signs and symptoms of overdose have been reported within 15 to 20 minutes and death has been reported within one hour of ingestion. Signs and symptoms may include restlessness, tremors, convulsions, coma and cardiac arrest. If accidental ingestion occurs, seek medical attention immediately.

Overdosage resulting in death may occur in adults.

Do not exceed a single dose of 200 mg and a total daily dosage of 600 mg. If you miss a dose of benzonatate capsules, skip that dose and take the next dose at the next scheduled time. Do not take 2 doses of benzonatate capsules at one time.

Usage in Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with benzonatate capsules. It is also not known whether benzonatate capsules can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Benzonatate capsules should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Nursing mothers

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk caution should be exercised when benzonatate capsules are administered to a nursing woman.

Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertility

Carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproduction studies have not been conducted with benzonatate capsules.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in children below the age of 10 have not been established. Accidental ingestion resulting in death has been reported in children below age 10. Keep out of reach of children.

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of overdose of benzonatate have been reported within 15 to 20 minutes. If capsules are chewed or dissolved in the mouth, oropharyngeal anesthesia will develop rapidly, which may cause choking and airway compromise.

CNS stimulation may cause restlessness and tremors which may proceed to clonic convulsions followed by profound CNS depression. Convulsions, coma, cerebral edema and cardiac arrest leading to death have been reported within 1 hour of ingestion.

Treatment

In case of overdose, seek seek medical attention immediately. Evacuate gastric contents and administer copious amounts of activated charcoal slurry. Even in the conscious patient, cough and gag reflexes may be so depressed as to necessitate special attention to protection against aspiration of gastric contents and orally administered materials. Convulsions should be treated with a short-acting barbiturate given intravenously and carefully titrated for the smallest effective dosage. Intensive support of respiration and cardiovascular-renal function is an essential feature of the treatment of severe intoxication from overdosage.

Do not use CNS stimulants.