Benzonatate

Introduction

Medically reviewed by Olivia Taylor, PharmD, BCPS 
Written by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on 10/29/2025

Benzonatate capsule is a generic medication that’s prescribed to treat a cough. The brand-name version of this drug is Tessalon. The cost of benzonatate with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Benzonatate comes as a capsule that you take by mouth.

Read on to learn about benzonatate and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about benzonatate, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care in as little as 15 minutes. For $29, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a US-licensed healthcare professional. Get started here.

Cost of benzonatate

Like other medications, the cost of benzonatate can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much benzonatate costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the following section.

Coupons for benzonatate

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of benzonatate. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for benzonatate

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of benzonatate. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for benzonatate. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand names

Benzonatate is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Tessalon.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re believed to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

If your doctor has prescribed benzonatate but you’re interested in taking Tessalon, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of benzonatate compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about benzonatate and cost

Here are some common questions about benzonatate and their answers.  

How much does benzonatate cost without insurance?

The price you will pay for benzonatate without insurance will depend on several factors. These can include the pharmacy you use and whether you qualify for savings coupons. If you have questions about how much benzonatate will cost without insurance, talk with your pharmacist.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

Can I buy benzonatate over the counter (OTC)?

Benzonatate is not available over the counter. Instead, you need a prescription from a doctor to access it. There are many reasons why certain drugs are prescription-only, including their risks of side effects or misuse.

OTC drugs tend to be cheaper than prescription medications.

What to ask about benzonatate

This article provides cost information related to benzonatate. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for benzonatate.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Will the cost for the brand-name Tessalon be different than the generic benzonatate?
• Can I take a different dose to lower my price of benzonatate?
• If I can’t afford my medication, is there another option to treat my condition?

Resources

• Benzonatate- benzonatate capsule. (2025). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/23a5de40-76d0-4117-8d31-2b2f8a6b0a28/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2025). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.