What is the frequency of taking Tessalon Perles (Benzonatate)?

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Last updated: February 13, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Tessalon Perles (Benzonatate) should be taken 3 times a day.

Frequency of Administration

  • The standard dose is 100-200 mg per administration, but the provided evidence does not specify the exact dose for Tessalon Perles, however it does mention that 500–750 mg can be taken twice daily 1 or 250–500 mg once daily 1.
  • It's essential to note that the provided evidence is related to the management of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) and not specifically for Tessalon Perles (Benzonatate), which is typically used for cough suppression.
  • Given the context of real-life clinical medicine, it's crucial to follow the recommended dosage and administration frequency for Tessalon Perles, which is usually 100-200 mg taken 3 times a day, as this information is not provided in the given evidence, this is based on general medical knowledge.

From the FDA Drug Label

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Adults and Children over 10 years of age: Usual dose is one 100 mg or 200 mg capsule three times a day as needed for cough. If necessary to control cough, up to 600 mg daily in three divided doses may be given. The frequency of taking Tessalon Perles (Benzonatate) is three times a day as needed for cough, with a maximum of three divided doses daily 2.

  • The recommended dosage is one 100 mg or 200 mg capsule per dose.
  • The maximum daily dose is 600 mg.

From the Research

Frequency of Taking Tessalon Perles (Benzonatate)

  • The frequency of taking Tessalon Perles (Benzonatate) is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
  • However, the studies report on the effects of benzonatate overdose, suggesting that taking more than the recommended dose can lead to serious adverse events, including cardiac arrest and respiratory depression 3, 4, 7.
  • One study mentions that benzonatate is typically prescribed as a 200 mg capsule, but it does not provide information on the recommended frequency of administration 5.
  • Another study reports on the use of benzonatate for awake intubation, where a single dose of 200 mg was administered topically to provide rapid oropharyngeal anesthesia 5.
  • The studies do not provide information on the long-term use of benzonatate or the recommended frequency of administration for chronic cough symptoms.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Cardiac Arrest Due to Benzonatate Overdose.

The American journal of case reports, 2019

Research

Rapid oral anesthesia for awake intubation.

Journal of clinical anesthesia, 1992

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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