What patient education is recommended for Delsym (dextromethorphan) and Tessalon Perles (benzonatate)?

Patient Education for Delsym (Dextromethorphan) and Tessalon Perles (Benzonatate)

Key Patient Education Points for Benzonatate (Tessalon Perles)

When providing patient education for Tessalon Perles (benzonatate), emphasize that capsules must always be swallowed whole and never chewed, crushed, dissolved, or broken. 1

• Benzonatate works by numbing stretch receptors in the lungs to reduce the cough reflex 2
• Inform patients about the risk of temporary local anesthesia if the medication is released in the mouth - if numbness or tingling of the tongue, mouth, throat, or face occurs, they should refrain from eating or drinking until the sensation resolves 1
• Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if numbness symptoms worsen or persist 1
• The recommended dosage is 100-200 mg three to four times daily 2
• Emphasize that patients should never exceed a single dose of 200 mg or a total daily dosage of 600 mg 1
• For acute cough, treatment should typically be limited to 7-10 days 2
• If symptoms persist beyond 1 week, patients should discontinue use and consult their healthcare provider 2
• Warn patients about the serious risks of overdose, which can cause death within one hour of ingestion 1, 3
• Signs of overdose include restlessness, tremors, convulsions, coma, and cardiac arrest, requiring immediate medical attention 1, 4
• Keep medication out of reach of children, as accidental ingestion has resulted in deaths in children under 10 years 1, 5

Key Patient Education Points for Delsym (Dextromethorphan)

• Delsym contains dextromethorphan polistirex in an extended-release formulation that provides 12-hour cough relief 6
• Dextromethorphan is a non-narcotic cough suppressant that is effective in reducing both cough frequency and intensity 7
• The medication is alcohol-free and comes with a dosing cup for accurate measurement 6
• Inform patients that Delsym contains sodium metabisulfite, which may cause allergic-type reactions in sensitive individuals 6
• Dextromethorphan has been shown to be effective in managing chronic cough and may be preferred by patients over codeine-based cough suppressants 7
• Advise patients to use the provided dosing cup to ensure accurate dosing 6
• Inform patients that dextromethorphan has a better safety profile than codeine, with fewer side effects and safety even in moderate overdose 7

Important Safety Considerations

• Remind patients to follow prescribed dosing schedules for both medications and not to take extra doses to make up for missed doses 1
• For benzonatate, emphasize that if they miss a dose, they should skip that dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time - never take two doses at once 1
• Advise patients to store both medications safely away from children 1
• Inform patients that benzonatate should not be used in children under 10 years of age 1
• Pregnant women should only use these medications if clearly needed, as safety in pregnancy has not been fully established 1
• Nursing mothers should exercise caution as it is unknown if these medications are excreted in breast milk 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Failure to emphasize the importance of swallowing benzonatate capsules whole, which can lead to serious adverse effects 1, 4
• Not warning patients about the rapid onset of severe toxicity with benzonatate overdose, which can lead to cardiac arrest 3, 4
• Inadequate education about keeping medications, especially benzonatate, out of reach of children 1, 5
• Not informing patients about the limited duration of use for symptomatic cough treatment 2
• Failing to advise patients to seek medical attention if cough persists beyond the expected treatment period 2