Jerry asked
is it safe to drink a beer or two after taking benzonatate?
At a glance
- Combining benzonatate and alcohol can increase the incidence of sedation and dizziness.
Answer
While there is no interaction between Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) and beer, assuming the beer is alcoholic, both can cause sedation and dizziness so caution is recommended when combining.
Benzonatate With Alcohol
Benzonatate is generally well tolerated but is associated with several CNS (central nervous system) side effects, including:
- Sedation
- Headache
- Dizziness
Beer (alcoholic) can cause similar side effects so there certainly is a chance they could be additive. In other words, you may be more likely to experience more prominent side effects, such as sedation, if you combine beer and benzonatate.
One of the most concerning interactions when it comes to alcohol and drugs is the risk of respiratory depression, which manifests as slow and labored breathing. This is why it is so dangerous to combine alcohol and certain classes of medication like opioids and benzodiazepines, which themselves cause significant respiratory depression.
Fortunately, at recommended doses, benzonatate is not known to cause respiratory depression, which is stated in the prescribing information for the drug:
References
- Elsevier ClinicalKey: Benzonatate Monograph (Accessed 6/24/19)
- Benzonatate Monograph. PubChem
