DayQuil With Benzonatate
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not there is an interaction between DayQuil and benzonatate.
Can you take over-the-counter drugs such as Dayquil with Benzonatate?
Nov 29, 2022- DayQuil and benzonatate are safe to take together as there are no known interactions between them.
- Benzonatate can cause sedation and dizziness, so you should be cautious if taking it with other medications that have similar effects.
- Benzonatate is a non-narcotic cough medication that works by numbing the respiratory tract and reducing the cough reflex in the brain.
Answer
There is no known interaction between DayQuil and benzonatate (generic for Tessalon Perles). They are considered safe to take together.
DayQuil Contains Multiple Drugs
When considering potential interactions involving DayQuil, it is important to take all of the active ingredients into account.
DayQuil is available in two versions, DayQuil, and DayQuil Severe. Both versions contain:
- Acetaminophen (analgesic)
- Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant)
- Phenylephrine (nasal decongestant)
The 'Severe' version also contains guaifenesin, an expectorant that helps to thin and loosen mucus secretions.
No ingredient in DayQuil is known to interact with benzonatate.
Benzonatate Information
Benzonatate is a non-narcotic medication, commonly prescribed with antibiotics to decrease the frequency of coughing. It appears to have an anesthetic effect (locally in the respiratory tract) and may also work centrally in the brain to reduce the cough reflex.
Benzonatate has very few potential drug interactions. However, it can cause sedation and dizziness, so should be used cautiously with other drugs that cause similar effects.
Additionally, some studies report that high doses of benzonatate (i.e., overdoses) can increase the risk of serious side effects, such as seizures and cardiac arrest. However, these effects are thought to be very rare if the drug is taken as prescribed and within the FDA-approved dosing limits.
As mentioned, when it comes to the ingredients in DayQuil, there are no reported interactions with benzonatate.
Final Words
I hope you found this helpful! Thanks for reaching out.
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Analgesic
- A medication that relieves pain.
- Cough suppressant
- A medication that reduces or stops coughing.
- Nasal decongestant
- A medication that relieves nasal congestion by narrowing blood vessels in the nasal passages.
- Expectorant
- A medication that helps thin and loosen mucus to make it easier to cough up.
- Non-narcotic
- A medication that does not contain narcotics or opioids and is not addictive.
- Anesthetic effect
- The numbing or loss of sensation caused by a substance.
- Seizures
- Sudden, uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain that can cause shaking or loss of consciousness.
- Cardiac arrest
- A sudden stop of the heart's pumping action that can be life-threatening.
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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