Your Side Effects May IncludeBenzonatate (Tessalon) side effects
This side effect is printed on the FDA label for Benzonatate. It was a question in our daily quiz, where you pick the real side effect from four choices.
A numb mouth and choking if you chew it
It works by numbing stretch receptors in the lungs. Chewed, it numbs your mouth and throat instead.
“Release of benzonatate from the capsule in the mouth can produce a temporary local anesthesia of the oral mucosa and choking could occur.”
Swallow it whole. Keep it away from children: accidental swallowing has killed children under 10.
64 reports to the FDA's adverse event system mention choking or a numb mouth. A report is not proof the drug caused it. See the query
From quiz No. 11 · October 5, 2026 · Play that quiz →
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Not medical advice. Don't stop or start a medication because of a quiz. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Label text and report counts from openFDA. Not affiliated with any drug maker.