Benzonatate oral capsule interactions: A detailed guide

Key takeaways

• Benzonatate is an oral cough suppressant that doctors may prescribe for adults and children ages 10 years and older. It’s only available as a generic drug. The brand-name capsule, Tessalon, has been discontinued.
• Benzonatate capsules aren’t known to have any specific interactions. But taking benzonatate with certain medications could increase the risk of benzonatate side effects.
• You should always speak with a doctor before starting any new medications or supplements to make sure there won’t be any negative interactions.

This article describes possible interactions with benzonatate oral capsule. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.

Other drugs and benzonatate

Benzonatate oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any other drugs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with drugs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

It is important to note that benzonatate affects the central nervous system (CSN). Even though benzonatate doesn’t have interactions with other medications, taking medications that also affect the CNS can increase side effects such as hallucinations, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, and decreased breathing.

Before taking benzonatate oral capsule, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions. If you’re concerned about possible interactions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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Questions about benzonatate and interactions

Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about benzonatate and possible interactions.

Is it safe to take benzonatate with a steroid or antibiotic?

Yes, if your doctor recommends it. There isn’t a known interaction between benzonatate and antibiotics or corticosteroids (sometimes described as “steroids”).

Benzonatate oral capsule is prescribed to relieve cough, which may be related to another condition. Depending on the cause of your cough, your doctor may prescribe benzonatate with other medications. These could include a corticosteroid to ease swelling. Or if a bacterial infection if causing your cough, they may prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection.

To learn more about taking benzonatate with antibiotics or corticosteroids, talk with your doctor.

Can I take albuterol and benzonatate together?

Yes, if your doctor recommends it. There isn’t a known interaction between benzonatate and albuterol.

You may take albuterol to help manage asthma and bronchitis symptoms like bronchospasm, which is the tightening of the muscles around the airways. But albuterol doesn’t suppress the coughing that may come with bronchitis. In this case, your doctor may prescribe benzonatate to take with albuterol.

To learn more about taking benzonatate with albuterol, talk with your doctor

Are there interactions between benzonatate and blood pressure medication?

No, there aren’t any known interactions between benzonatate and blood pressure medication. However, one of the side effects of benzonatate is low blood pressure. Taking benzonatate with your blood pressure medication may lower your blood pressure even further.

If you are taking medications to lower your blood pressure, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor may adjust the dose of either or both medications and monitor your blood pressure while taking benzonatate.

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Who should not take benzonatate?

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with benzonatate oral capsule. Before taking benzonatate, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll talk with you about benzonatate warnings and determine whether the drug is right for you.

Here’s a list of health conditions or other factors that may interact with benzonatate oral capsule:

• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• past allergic reaction to benzonatate

Alcohol and benzonatate

Benzonatate oral capsule is not known to interact with alcohol.

However, taking benzonatate oral capsule and drinking alcohol may worsen certain side effects of benzonatate. Examples include drowsiness and nausea. To learn more, see this article about benzonatate’s side effects.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment
with benzonatate oral capsule.

Other interactions and benzonatate

Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether benzonatate oral capsule has these interactions.

The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with benzonatate.

Benzonatate and supplements

Before taking benzonatate oral capsule, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Benzonatate and herbs

Benzonatate oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbs during treatment with benzonatate oral capsule.

Benzonatate and vitamins

Benzonatate oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamins during treatment with benzonatate oral capsule.

Benzonatate and food

Benzonatate oral capsule isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid during treatment with benzonatate oral capsule.

Benzonatate and vaccines

Benzonatate oral capsule isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines during treatment with benzonatate oral capsule.

Benzonatate and lab tests

Benzonatate oral capsule isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests during treatment with benzonatate oral capsule.

Benzonatate and cannabis or CBD

Benzonatate oral capsule isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Note that cannabis can affect the CNS just like benzonatate. Using cannabis products while taking benzonatate may worsen benzonatate’s side effects related to the CNS, such as confusion.

As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with benzonatate.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

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Preventing benzonatate interactions

You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with benzonatate oral capsule. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.

Things to consider include:

• Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
• What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking benzonatate oral capsule.

Taking benzonatate exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.

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.