benzonatate

Benzonatate is a non-narcotic oral antitussive (cough suppressant) used for the symptomatic relief of cough in patients over 10 years old. It works by anesthetizing stretch receptors in the respiratory passages, lungs, and pleura, thereby reducing the activity of the cough reflex at its source. Benzonatate also inhibits transmission of impulses related to coughing in the vagal nuclei of the medulla. Its mechanism involves local anesthetic action and potent inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels on vagal sensory nerve fibers that mediate cough. Structurally related to para-aminobenzoic acid derivatives such as procaine and tetracaine, benzonatate was approved by the FDA in 1958 under the brand name Tessalon Perles[1][2][5][7][8].

Brand names

TessalonTessalon PerlesZonatuss