Benzonatate: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What is benzonatate?

Benzonatate, a non-narcotic oral antitussive agent, is 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26-nonaoxaoctacosan-28-yl p (butylamino) benzoate; with a molecular weight of 603.7. Each soft gelatin capsule, for oral administration, contains 100 mg or 200 mg benzonatate USP. In addition, each capsule contains the following inactive ingredients: D&C Yellow No. 10, gelatin, glycerin, and purified water. Structural Formula

What kind of drug is benzonatate?

The FDA classifies benzonatate as a non-narcotic antitussive. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take benzonatate with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run benzonatate against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is benzonatate sold under?

We track 2 benzonatate-containing products in the U.S.: Benzonatate and Tessalon. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does benzonatate come in?

Across the brands we track, benzonatate is currently marketed as capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic benzonatate?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic benzonatate product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.