INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS SECTION.

Information for patients:. Release of benzonatate from the capsule in the mouth can produce temporary local anesthesia of the oral mucosa and choking could occur. Therefore, the capsules should be swallowed without chewing.

NURSING MOTHERS SECTION.

Nursing Mothers:. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk caution should be exercised when benzonatate is administered to nursing woman.

ADVERSE REACTIONS SECTION.

ADVERSE REACTIONS. Potential Adverse Reactions to benzonatate may include:Hypersensitivity reactions including bronchospasm, laryngospasm, cardiovascular collapse possibly related to local anesthesia from chewing or sucking the capsule.CNS: sedation; headache; dizziness; mental confusion; visual hallucinations.GI: constipation; nausea; GI upset.Dermatologic: pruritus; skin eruptions.Other: nasal congestion; sensation of burning in the eyes; vague chilly sensation; numbness of the chest; hypersensitivity.Rare instances of deliberate or accidental overdose have resulted in death.

CARCINOGENESIS & MUTAGENESIS & IMPAIRMENT OF FERTILITY SECTION.

Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertility:. Carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproduction studies have not been conducted with benzonatate.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY SECTION.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY. Benzonatate acts peripherally by anesthetizing the stretch receptors located in the respiratory passages, lungs, and pleura by dampening their activity and thereby reducing the cough reflex at its source. It begins to act within 15 to 20 minutes and its effect lasts for to hours. Benzonatate has no inhibitory effect on the respiratory center in recommended dosage.

DESCRIPTION SECTION.

DESCRIPTION. Benzonatate, non-narcotic oral antitussive agent, is 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26-nonaoxaoctacosan-28-yl p-(butylamino) benzoate; with molecular weight of 603.7.Each soft gelatin capsule, for oral administration, contains 100 mg or 200 mg of benzonatate USP.Benzonatate Capsules, USP also contain the following inactive ingredients: D&C Yellow 10, gelatin, glycerin, purified water, methylparaben, propylparaben and titanium dioxide.. Chemical Structure.

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION. Adults and Children over 10 years of age: Usual dose is one 100 mg or 200 mg capsule t.i.d. as required. If necessary, up to 600 mg daily may be given.

HOW SUPPLIED SECTION.

HOW SUPPLIED. Benzonatate Capsules USP, 100 mg: Yellow soft gelatin capsules, imprinted ASC on one side and 105 on the other side.Benzonatate Capsules USP, 200 mg: Yellow soft gelatin capsules, imprinted ASC on one side and 106 on the other side.Store at controlled room temperature 20o 25oC (68o 77oF) [See USP].API-01, 5/07Mfd byIntergel Division of IVC Industries, Inc.Irvington, NJ 07111for ASCEND LABORATORIES, LLCMONTVALE, NJ 07645 Repackaged by:REBEL DISTRIBUTORS CORPThousand Oaks, CA 91320.

OVERDOSAGE SECTION.

OVERDOSAGE. Overdose may result in death.The drug is chemically related to tetracaine and other topical anesthetics and shares various aspects of their pharmacology and toxicology. Drugs of this type are generally well absorbed after ingestion.Signs and Symptoms:If capsules are chewed or dissolved in the mouth, oropharyngeal anesthesia will develop rapidly. CNS stimulation may cause restlessness and tremors which may proceed to clonic convulsions followed by profound CNS depression.Treatment:Evacuate gastric contents and administer copious amounts of activated charcoal slurry. Even in the conscious patient, cough and gag reflexes may be so depressed as to necessitate special attention to protection against aspiration of gastric contents and orally administered materials. Convulsions should be treated with short-acting barbiturate given intravenously and carefully titrated for the smallest effective dosage. Intensive support of respiration and cardiovascular renal function is an essential feature of the treatment of severe intoxication from overdosage.Do not use CNS stimulants.

PRECAUTIONS SECTION.

PRECAUTIONS. Benzonatate is chemically related to anesthetic agents of the para-aminobenzoic acid class (e.g. procaine; tetracaine) and has been associated with adverse CNS effects possibly related to prior sensitivity to related agents or interaction with concomitant medication.

PREGNANCY SECTION.

Usage in Pregnancy:. Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with benzonatate. It is also not known whether benzonatate can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Benzonatate should be given to pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

WARNINGS SECTION.

WARNINGS. Severe hypersensitivity reactions (including bronchospasm, laryngospasm and cardiovascular collapse) have been reported which are possibly related to local anesthesia from sucking or chewing the capsule instead of swallowing it. Severe reactions have required intervention with vasopressor agents and supportive measures.Isolated instances of bizarre behavior, including mental confusion and visual hallucinations, have also been reported in patients taking benzonatate in combination with other prescribed drugs.