Benzonatate is a non-narcotic cough medicine.

Benzonatate works by numbing the throat and lungs, making the cough reflex less active.

Benzonatate is used to relieve coughing.

Warnings

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to benzonatate or topical numbing medicines such as tetracaine or procaine (found in some insect bite and sunburn creams).

Never suck or chew on a benzonatate capsule. Swallow the pill whole. Sucking or chewing the capsule may cause your mouth and throat to feel numb or cause other serious side effects.

Serious side effects of benzonatate include choking feeling, chest pain or numbness, feeling like you might pass out, confusion, or hallucinations. Some of these side effects may result from chewing or sucking on a capsule.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 10 years old without medical advice. An overdose of benzonatate can be fatal to a child.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to benzonatate or topical numbing medicines such as tetracaine or procaine (found in some insect bite and sunburn creams).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Benzonatate is not approved for use by anyone younger than 10 years old. An overdose can be fatal, especially to a young child who has accidentally swallowed the medicine.

How should I take benzonatate?

Take benzonatate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Always ask a doctor before giving a cough medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Never suck or chew on a benzonatate capsule. Swallow the pill whole. Sucking or chewing the capsule may cause serious side effects.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line . An overdose of benzonatate can be fatal, especially to a child. Accidental death has occurred in children under 10 years old.

Overdose symptoms may include tremors, feeling restless, seizure (convulsions), slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, and slow breathing (breathing may stop).

What to avoid

Avoid eating or drinking anything while you feel numbness or tingling in your mouth or throat.

Benzonatate side effects

Stop taking benzonatate and get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe drowsiness or dizziness;
• confusion, hallucinations.
• ongoing numbness or tingling in your mouth, throat, or face;
• numbness in your chest;
• a choking feeling;
• chills; or
• burning in your eyes.

Some of these side effects may result from chewing or sucking on a benzonatate capsule.

Common benzonatate side effects may include:

• headache, dizziness;
• nausea, upset stomach;
• constipation;
• itching, rash; or
• stuffy nose.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Cough:

100 mg to 200 mg orally three times a day as needed for cough

Comments: This drug should be swallowed whole.

Use: Symptomatic relief of cough

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cough:

Children older than 10 years:
100 mg to 200 mg orally three times a day as needed for cough

What is azithromycin?

Azithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.

Azithromycin is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as respiratory infections, skin infections, ear infections, eye infections, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Azithromycin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not use azithromycin if you have ever had jaundice or liver problems when you have previously taken this medicine.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use azithromycin if you are allergic to it, or if:

• you have ever had jaundice or liver problems caused by taking azithromycin; or
• you are allergic to similar drugs such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or telithromycin.

To make sure azithromycin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• myasthenia gravis;
• a heart rhythm disorder;
• low levels of potassium in your blood; or
• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member).

This medicine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether azithromycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take azithromycin?

Take azithromycin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. The dose and length of treatment may not be the same for every type of infection.

You may take most forms of azithromycin with or without food.

Take Zmax extended release liquid (oral suspension) on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

To use the oral suspension single dose packet: Open the packet and pour the medicine into 2 ounces of water. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away. Do not save for later use. To make sure you get the entire dose, add 2 more ounces of water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.

Throw away any mixed Zmax oral suspension (extended release formulation) that has not been used within 12 hours. Throw away any immediate-release suspension that has not been used within 10 days.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Azithromycin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

What to avoid

Do not take antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium within 2 hours before or after you take azithromycin. This includes Acid Gone, Aldroxicon, Alternagel, Di-Gel, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Genaton, Maalox, Maldroxal, Milk of Magnesia, Mintox, Mylagen, Mylanta, Pepcid Complete, Rolaids, Rulox, and others. These antacids can make azithromycin less effective when taken at the same time.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Azithromycin can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Avoid other drugs that can cause QT prolongation or irregular heart rhythm.

Azithromycin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to azithromycin: (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. This reaction may occur several weeks after you began using azithromycin.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out); or
• liver problems – nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Call your doctor right away if a baby taking azithromycin becomes irritable or vomits while eating or nursing.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects on heart rhythm, including a life-threatening fast heart rate.

Common azithromycin side effects may include:

• diarrhea;
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; or
• headache.