Can You Take Benzonatate With Other Cough Medicine?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not benzonatate can be combined with other cough medications.
I was given a prescription for benzonatate. Is it safe to take some cough medicine at the same time? I am still feeling an urge to cough.
Oct 12, 2022- Benzonatate can be safely combined with most other cough medications including dextromethorphan and Mucinex, though there is limited evidence showing combinations work better than using one medicine alone.
- Benzonatate works differently than other cough medicines by numbing the cough reflex in the lungs, while dextromethorphan works on the brain to reduce coughing, so they do not interact with each other.
- Other cough medicines that are safe to use with benzonatate include menthol drops, analgesic-containing cough drops, and honey-containing cough medications.
Answer
Thanks for reaching out! Benzonatate (generic for Tessalon) can safely be taken with most other cough medications. It should be noted however, that for most cough medications, there is a lack of evidence available showing that using a combination is more effective than using one alone.
Dextromethorphan With Benzonatate
I imagine that your question is referring to using benzonatate (which is a prescription only drug) with an over-the-counter (OTC) cough medication.
The most commonly used OTC cough medication is dextromethorphan, a drug that is in a multitude of products, including Delsym, DayQuil, and Robitussin DM.
Benzonatate and dextromethorphan do work differently in some ways and do not have an interaction with one another.
Benzonatate works by reducing the cough reflex in the lungs and air passages. Specifically, it works by anesthetizing the stretch receptors in these areas.
Dextromethorphan is an NMDA receptor antagonist and works for cough by decreasing activity in the part of the brain that causes coughing (medulla).
Benzonatate does not interact with dextromethorphan, and they can be used together. As mentioned though, there have not been studies evaluating the effects of the combination, and whether or not they work better together compared to either agent alone.
Benzonatate With Mucinex (Guaifenesin) May Be Another Option
I do want to mention that even though there aren't any studies evaluating the use of benzonatate with dextromethorphan, there are several that have looked at the combination of benzonatate and Mucinex (guaifenesin).
This combination of drugs is safe together too, and one study reported the following:
The mechanism by which the combination of benzonatate and guaifenesin causes a potentiation of antitussive effect remains to be elucidated. Our results suggest that benzonatate and guaifenesin may be an effective therapy for acute cough due to the common cold (URI).
Other Cough Medications With Benzonatate
Dextromethorphan is one of the only FDA approved cough suppressants available over the counter. Nevertheless, additional options that can be safely combined with benzonatate are:
- Menthol-containing cough drops
- Analgesic-containing cough drops (e.g. dyclonine, benzocaine)
- Honey-containing cough medications
Final Words
Thanks for reaching out and please do so again if anything else comes up!
References & sources
- Antitussives and substance abuse — PubMed
- Evaluation of Cough Medication Use Patterns in Ambulatory Care Settings in the United States: 2003-2018 — PubMed
- Inhibition of cough-reflex sensitivity by benzonatate and guaifenesin in acute viral cough — Science Direct
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Benzonatate
- A prescription cough medication that works by numbing the cough reflex in the lungs and air passages.
- Dextromethorphan
- An over-the-counter cough suppressant that reduces coughing by decreasing brain activity in the area that triggers coughs.
- Guaifenesin
- An over-the-counter medication (brand name Mucinex) that helps thin mucus to make coughs more productive.
- NMDA receptor antagonist
- A type of drug that blocks certain chemical signals in the brain to reduce coughing.
- Stretch receptors
- Nerve endings in the lungs and airways that detect irritation and trigger coughing.
- Antitussive
- A medication that suppresses or reduces coughing.
- Potentiation
- When two substances work together to create a stronger combined effect than either one alone.
- URI
- Upper respiratory infection, a common cold affecting the nose, throat, and upper airways.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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