Benzonatate (BZN)

Benzonatate is a non-narcotic oral cough suppressant, or antitussive. Its formal name is 2,5,8,11,14,17,20,23,26-nonaoxaoctacosan-28-yl para-butylaminobenzoate. Benzonatate is a butylamine, chemically related to other ester local anesthetics such as procaine and tetracaine. Benzonatate is thought to act as a local anesthetic, decreasing the sensitivity of stretch receptors in the lower airway and lung, thereby reducing the drive to cough after taking a deep breath. An antitussive, benzonatate is employed to reduce coughing in various respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema, influenza, and pneumonia. It should never be used to suppress a productive cough producing mucus that can be spit out, or in place of treatment of the actual cause of cough, such as asthma treatment. It has been used in small doses as a topical anesthetic for mouth or pharyngeal pain.