Drug Summary

  Drug name:  benzonatate
  Chemical name:  Benzonatate
  Formula:  C₃₀H₅₃NO₁₁
  Weight:   603.7419
  CAS no:  104-31-4
  DrugBank link:  DB00868
  Description:  Benzonatate is a non-narcotic oral antitussive (cough suppressant) drug which works by anesthetizing the tissues of the lungs and pleura responsible for the cough reflex. It is chemically related to other ester anesthetics such as procaine. It has an anesthetic (numbing) action similar to that of benzocaine and “numbs” the stretch sensors in the lungs. It is the stretching of these sensors with breathing that causes the cough. It was approved by the FDA in 1958.
  Indication:  For the symptomatic relief of cough. Has also been applied locally in the oral cavity in adults by releasing the drug from the liquid-filled capsules to provide oropharyngeal anesthesia for conscious intubation.