Benzonatate can you get high off

Concomitant use of other agents with anticholinergic properties should also be undertaken with caution. A thorough review of the literature regarding OTC cough and cold medicines was carried out by Smith, Schroeder, and Fahey and published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in In this review, the authors looked at 26 trials 18 in adults, 8 in children involving more than 4, people.

In the adult studies, six trials compared antitussives with placebo and had variable results. Two trials compared the expectorant guaifenesin with placebo; one indicated significant benefit, whereas the other did not. One trial found that a mucolytic reduced cough frequency and symptom scores. Two studies examined antihistamine-decongestant combinations and found conflicting results. Three trials found antihistamines were no more effective than placebo in relieving cough symptoms.

The results of one trial favored active treatment with mucolytics over placebo. The results of this review suggest that there is no good evidence for or against the effectiveness of OTC medications in acute cough. Many studies were of low quality and very different from each other, making evaluation of overall efficacy difficult. Expectorants increase bronchial mucus production, thus making coughs more productive.

Guaifenesin, a ubiquitous expectorant found in OTC cough medicines, has minimally toxic effects limited to mild gastrointestinal irritation. It is thought to work by decreasing the sensitivity of stretch receptors in the lower airways and lung, making the cough reflex less active.

Although benzonatate is a non-opioid and is not prone to abuse, it has a poor safety profile. There have been numerous reports of overdose resulting in neurotoxicity seizures , cardiotoxicity arrhythmias , and death, especially in children. Common adverse events reported in the overdose cases included cardiac arrest, coma, and convulsion.

Of the 31 overdose cases reported in AERS, seven cases involved accidental ingestions, all in children under the age of 10 years. Five of the seven accidental ingestions resulted in death in children aged 2 years and younger. Given the lack of data that antitussive medications are effective in children and their potential toxic effects, it would seem that they possess questionable utility in the setting of acute upper respiratory infection.

Physicians should rather focus on parental education concerning the expected brief course of the cough and congestion and the importance of maintaining adequate hydration during these situations. Parents should also be reminded of the importance of safe storage of OTC cough medicines as well as other drugs found in the household in order to prevent unintentional ingestion.

Parents and patients alike should be reminded of the dangers of opioid abuse and pharmaceutical misuse and dependence. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs issued a policy statement in regarding the use of codeine-containing and dextromethorphan-containing cough remedies in children. Moreover, the fact that dosage recommendations in children are extrapolated from adults increases the likelihood of preventable adverse events. Although abuse of dextromethorphan-containing cold and cough medicines is still prevalent, there has been a rise in the use of codeine-containing cough syrups, perhaps because of glorification of the effects by high profile figures in the mainstream media.

Misuse and abuse of these products can be extraordinarily dangerous, resulting in serious neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and even death from respiratory failure. Health care professionals should be aware of the misuse and abuse potential of various antitussive medications. Efforts should be made to prescribe nonaddictive medications and to recommend alternative treatment options for cough and cold.

Education of patients and parents to the dangers of these seemingly harmless OTC medications must be a top priority. The authors would like to share that there are no sources of funding support or conflicts of interest for this manuscript. National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. Journal List Subst Abuse Rehabil v.

Subst Abuse Rehabil. Published online Nov 6. Author information Copyright and License information Disclaimer. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Abstract Abuse of antitussive preparations is a continuing problem in the United States and throughout the world.

Keywords: dextromethorphan, purple drank, sizzurp, codeine, promethazine. Introduction An article published in The Lancet in May highlighted a major growing health problem in the United States: abuse of pharmaceutical drugs. Pharmacology and abuse potential of antitussives Antitussives elicit their clinical affect by directly inhibiting the medullary cough center of the brain. Open in a separate window. Figure 1. Figure 2. Clinical effects and toxicity Dextromethorphan The dose of ingested dextromethorphan determines the neurobehavioral outcome.

Management of cough in addicted patients A thorough review of the literature regarding OTC cough and cold medicines was carried out by Smith, Schroeder, and Fahey and published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in Patient and parental education Given the lack of data that antitussive medications are effective in children and their potential toxic effects, it would seem that they possess questionable utility in the setting of acute upper respiratory infection.

Conclusion Although abuse of dextromethorphan-containing cold and cough medicines is still prevalent, there has been a rise in the use of codeine-containing cough syrups, perhaps because of glorification of the effects by high profile figures in the mainstream media. Footnotes Disclosure The authors would like to share that there are no sources of funding support or conflicts of interest for this manuscript. References 1. McCarthy M. Prescription drug abuse up sharply in the USA.

Abuse of codeine containing cough syrups: a report from India. Codeine containing cough syrup addiction in Assam and Nagaland. Indian J Psychiat. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. A qualitative study of cough medicine abuse among Chinese young people in Hong Kong.

J Subst Use. Hypokalemic metabolic acidosis attributed to cough mixture abuse. Am J Kidney Dis. Boyer EW. Dextromethorphan Abuse. Pediatr Emerg Care. Schwartz RH. Adolescent abuse of dextromethorphan. Clin Pediatr. London: Informa Healthcare; Monitoring trends in dextromethorphan abuse using the National Poisoning Data System: — Clin Toxicol. Beliefs and social norms about codeine and promethazine hydrochloride cough syrup CPHCS use and addiction among multi-ethnic college students.

J Psychoactive Drugs. Purple drank prevalence and characteristics of misusers of codeine cough syrup mixtures. Addict Behav. Lewis R, Lil Wayne still hospitalized. Nicki Minaj, Drake among visitors. Los Angeles Times. Entertainment sect; Mar 18, Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile.

Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Benzonatate is a prescription non-narcotic antitussive used to relieve a cough. It works by relaxing the cough reflex in your airways.

It can be used to treat a new-onset cough from viruses like the flu or the common cold. Benzonatate comes in a capsule and a liquid-filled capsule. Common brand names include Tessalon and Zonatuss. Generic benzonatate is also available. Benzonatate is used to temporarily relieve a cough, but cannot cure a respiratory illness.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe it for a limited amount of time. Benzonatate is not meant to be used for a chronic cough from asthma or smoking. Benzonatate works by relaxing the cough reflex in your lungs and airways. This is especially helpful for a cough that keeps you up at night.

Before this drug is prescribed for a cough, your healthcare provider will determine if the possible benefits outweigh the risks. Your practitioner will probably ask if your cough is productive , which means that when you cough into a tissue, mucus or phlegm comes out.

Benzonatate makes you cough less and should not be used for a cough that produces a large amount of mucus or phlegm. That is because reducing your cough could cause mucus to build up in your lungs, putting you at risk for serious respiratory illnesses and trouble breathing. Talk to your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and vitamins that you currently take. While some drugs pose minor interaction risks, others may outright contraindicate use or prompt careful consideration as to whether the pros of treatment outweigh the cons in your case.

Benzonatate should not be used in children under 10 years old. If this medication is being prescribed for your child, ask a medical professional about about safer options. Your healthcare provider will ask what medications and supplements you are currently taking. Benzonatate can interact with a long list of medications, including psychiatric medications. A small number of patients have reported confusion and visual hallucinations while taking Benzonatate with their other prescribed drugs.

Benzonatate should not be used in patients with allergies to Novocaine or tetracaine, because those are included in the capsule. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have surgery coming up, your healthcare provider may look into an alternate option to help control your cough.

In addition to benzonatate, the most common prescription antitussives include:. Over-the-counter cough suppressants are also available, including:.

Benzonatate comes in liquid-filled capsules and can be taken up to three times per day. The capsules should always be swallowed whole and never crushed, chewed, or dissolved. Keep from freezing. Keep the capsules in a child-resistant container and store it out of reach of children at all times. Throw any unused medicine by mixing it with used coffee grounds or kitty litter and place it in a sealable bag, empty can, or container.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you or your child are using this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. If your cough has not become better after 7 days or if you have a high fever, skin rash, or continuing headache with the cough, check with your doctor. These signs may mean that you have other medical problems. Benzonatate overdose can occur in children younger than 10 years of age within 15 to 20 minutes after accidentally taking this medicine.

In children under 2 years of age, ingestion of even 1 or 2 capsules has resulted in overdose. Signs and symptoms may include: convulsions seizures , loss of consciousness, restlessness, or trembling or shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet. If your child took this medicine by accident, call the poison control center and go to the hospital immediately. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.

Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

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