What are manifestations of a severe benzonatate overdose?
Benzonatate (Tessalon® Perles) ingestions may result in convulsions, seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and/or coma. While it is a an attractive option as a non-opioid cough suppressant, its risk of toxicity in overdose is significant. (Jin C, Zahid E, Sherazi A, Majumder MR, Bedi P. Cardiac arrest due to benzonatate overdose. Am J Case Rep. 2019; 20:640-642. doi: 10.12659/AJCR.915151.)
Submitted by Ryan Feldman, PharmD, BCPS on behalf of the Acute and Intensive Care Section
Posted in Question Of The Day