Note: This document contains side effect information about benzonatate. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Tessalon Perles.

Applies to benzonatate: oral liquid-filled capsules.

Side effects include:

Generally well tolerated when the liquid-filled capsules are swallowed intact.

Adverse effects may include sedation, headache, mild dizziness, bizarre behavior (e.g., mental confusion, visual hallucinations), nasal congestion, nausea, GI upset, constipation, sensation of burning in the eyes, a vague “chilly” sensation, pruritus and skin eruptions, numbness in the chest, and hypersensitivity (e.g., bronchospasm, laryngospasm, cardiovascular collapse, possibly related to local anesthesia from chewing or sucking the liquid-filled capsules). (See Sensitivity Reactions under Cautions.)

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to benzonatate: oral capsule.

General

The most serious side effects reported were bronchospasm, laryngospasm, and cardiovascular collapse.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, laryngospasm, cardiovascular collapse, hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Nervous system

Frequency not reported: Sedation, headache, dizziness, mental confusion, visual hallucinations.^[Ref]

Respiratory

Frequency not reported: Nasal congestion, numbness of the chest^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Frequency not reported: Constipation, nausea, GI upset^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Frequency not reported: Pruritus, skin eruptions^[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Sensation of burning in the eyes^[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Vague "chilly" sensation^[Ref]