What you need to know about Benzonatate Capsules for cough

Sometimes we have a cough that bothers us for days and never goes away. Even if we drink syrups and do various things, it doesn't help. At a time like this, when you go to see a doctor, he may prescribe you a small, gel-like capsule. That medicine is called Benzonatate. Let's talk about this medicine today.

What is Benzonatate?

Simply put, Benzonatate is a cough suppressant. We also call these cough suppressants. It works by temporarily calming the cough reflex in our body. It's like telling our brain to "stop coughing now." You may see this medication under the brand names Tessalon Perles and Zonatuss.

Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine

Before your doctor prescribes this medicine, he or she will need to know your complete medical history. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell them about them.

• If you have kidney disease or liver disease .
• If you have allergies to any other medicine, food, or dye, not just to benzonatate.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
• If you are a breastfeeding mother .

Based on this information, it will be easier for the doctor to decide whether this medication is right for you or not.

The medicine should be used in the right way.

The way you use this medicine is very important, so keep these points in mind.

• This capsule should be swallowed whole with a glass of water .
• Do not chew or crush the capsule for any reason. Doing so may cause irritation to your mouth, tongue, and throat. It can also cause serious side effects. Therefore, it is safest to swallow it whole.
• Take the medicine only when the doctor prescribes it, in the prescribed amount. Don't go to get it too often.
• This medicine is usually prescribed to children over 10 years of age in some cases. But it should only be given on the advice of a doctor.

What if I miss a dose or take too much?

Imagine you forgot to take a dose of medicine. Take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.

Now, if you think you have taken too much medicine, it is not a joke. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Treat this as an emergency.

Side effects that may occur when taking the medicine

Like any medicine, Benzonatate can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are serious, some are not so serious. The table below will help you understand this more clearly.

This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything different or unusual, talk to your doctor about it.

Other things to be careful about when using the medicine

• Other medications: Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal products). Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any medications from a class of medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (e.g., Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate), which are used to treat mental health conditions.
• Driving and operating machinery: Some people may feel a little sleepy or dizzy after taking this medicine. Therefore, it is best not to drive or operate machinery while taking this medicine. Stay away from such activities until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can make you feel more sleepy and dizzy.
• Symptoms: If your cough doesn't go away or gets worse, tell your doctor. Also, if your cough is accompanied by a high fever, skin rash, or headache, be sure to seek medical advice.

How to store and dispose of medicine safely?

Keeping medication safe and disposing of it is just as important.

• Storage: Keep the medicine out of the reach of children and pets . Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius), away from light and moisture, with the bottle tightly closed. Do not use expired medicine.
• Disposal: Medicines that are expired or no longer needed should be disposed of.
• Some pharmacies may accept old medications. You can check into that.
• If you're not sure, ask your doctor what the best way to remove this is.
• If it says it's safe to throw in the trash, take the pods out of the bottle, mix them with something like used tea leaves, coffee grounds, or soil, put them in a sealed bag, and throw them in the trash.