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Benzonatate is a non-narcotic oral cough suppressant, or antitussive, with effects that last from 6 to 8 hours. Since it is not an opioid, benzonatate is not as prone [sic] to abuse like some other cough medications such as codeine. Benzonatate was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1958.

Adverse reactions

Reported side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and dysphagia. There are numerous reports of death related to overdose of benzonatate, mostly in children.

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is a metabolite of the ester class of local anesthetics, which includes benzonatate, as well as procaine and tetracaine. Severe allergic reactions have been reported in patients who are allergic to PABA. Severe sensitivity reactions to benzonatate have resulted in respiratory side effects such as bronchospasm, laryngospasm and cardiac arrest.

Excessive absorption of benzonatate (a local anesthetic) in the oral mucosa will result in the rapid development of numbness of the mouth and throat. In extreme cases, the mouth and pharynx may become so numb that pulmonary aspiration may occur.

Excessive absorption of benzonatate will occur if the gelcaps are chewed or allowed to dissolve in the mouth. This may lead to an overdose of the drug. Overdose of benzonatate may manifest as central nervous system side effects, such as mental confusion and hallucination, restlessness and tremors, followed in extreme cases by convulsions and death.

On Oct, 5, 2015: 1,699 people reported to have side effects when taking Benzonatate. Among them, 12 people (0.65%) have Hallucination.

Time on Benzonatate when people have Hallucination  :

< 1 month1 - 6 months6 - 12 months1 - 2 years2 - 5 years5 - 10 years10+ years Hallucination100.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

On Sep, 16, 2015: 1,699 people reported to have side effects when taking Benzonatate. Among them, 84 people (4.94%) have Death.