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| Pronunciation |
|
 (ben
ZOE na
tate) |
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| Brand Names |
|
| Tessalon®
Perles |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
|
| Beknol (Mexico); Pebegal (Mexico); Tesalon
(Mexico) |
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|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Antitussive |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to benzonatate, related medicines (such as
tetracaine), or any other part of the
medicine.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to relieve
coughing.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Benzonatate reduces activity in the lungs and its passages. It numbs
them and decreases the cough.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by
healthcare provider. Avoid products with
caffeine.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling tired or dizzy. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may
help.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Your cough. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
- Follow up with healthcare provider especially if there is no
improvement within 1 week.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Any rash.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
|
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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