Benzonatate is a peripherally acting antitussive, structurally a polyglycol ester related to the local anesthetic tetracaine. It suppresses cough by anesthetizing stretch receptors in the airways, alveoli, and pleura, dampening the afferent arc of the cough reflex[1]. A central component has been proposed but is not well characterized. The capsules must be swallowed whole, never chewed or sucked; the released local anesthetic produces rapid oropharyngeal numbness, choking, and in pediatric ingestions, cardiac arrhythmia and death[1].
Benzonatate anesthetizes pulmonary and pleural stretch receptors, blocking the afferent arc of the cough reflex; a central antitussive component has been proposed but is not well characterized.0 Pediatric ingestion (capsule chewed or punctured) releases the free local anesthetic and causes seizures, cardiac arrhythmia, and death[1].
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