Benzonatate (Systemic)
Brand Names : Tessalon
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For benzonatate, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to benzonatate or to tetracaine or other local anesthetics.
Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances,
such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done
in either humans or animals.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether benzonatate passes into
breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,
many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking
this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children - It is very important that children
do not chew or suck on the capsule before swallowing it.
If the benzonatate
contained in the capsules comes in contact with the mouth, it may cause the
mouth and throat to become numb (loss of feeling) and choking may occur.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects
or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use
of benzonatate in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases 2 different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care
professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of benzonatate. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Mucus or phlegm with cough - Since benzonatate decreases coughing,
it makes it difficult to get rid of the mucus that may collect in the lungs
and airways with some diseases
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