Prescription Drugs

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY TESSALON acts peripherally by anesthetizing the stretch receptors located in the respiratory passages, lungs, and pleura by dampening their activity and thereby reducing the cough reflex at its source. It begins to act within 15 to 20 minutes and its effect lasts for 3 to 8 hours. TESSALON has no inhibitory effect on the respiratory center in recommended dosage.

TESSALON® 100 mg Perles (benzonatate, USP) Capsules DESCRIPTION TESSALON, a non-narcotic oral antitussive agent, is 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26-nonaoxaoctacosan-28-yl p-(butylamino) benzoate; with a molecular weight of 603.7. Each TESSALON Perle contains: Benzonatate, USP 100 mg TESSALON Perles (capsules) also contain: D&C Yellow 10, gelatin, glycerin, methylparaben and propylparaben.

INDICATIONS TESSALON is indicated for the symptomatic relief of cough. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Adults and Children over 10 years of age: Usual dose is one 100 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. TESSALON should be swallowed whole. TESSALON Perles are not to be broken, chewed, dissolved, cut or crushed. HOW SUPPLIED Perles, 100 mg (yellow); bottles of 100 NDC 0069 0122 01 Imprint: T. Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15–30°C (59–86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. PROTECT FROM LIGHT Dispense in tight (USP), child-resistant containers. Mfd. by: Catalent Pharma Solutions, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716. Dist. by: Pfizer, Madison, New Jersey 07940. Revised: May 2016

PATIENT INFORMATION Swallow TESSALON Perles whole. Do not break, chew, dissolve, cut, or crush TESSALON Perles. Release of TESSALON from the capsule in the mouth can produce a temporary local anesthesia of the oral mucosa and choking could occur. If numbness or tingling of the tongue, mouth, throat, or face occurs, refrain from oral ingestion of food or liquids until the numbness has resolved. If the symptoms worsen or persist, seek medical attention. Keep TESSALON out of reach of children. Accidental ingestion resulting in death has been reported in children. Signs and symptoms of overdose have been reported within 15–20 minutes and death has been reported within one hour of ingestion. Signs and symptoms may include restlessness, tremors, convulsions, coma and cardiac arrest. If accidental ingestion occurs, seek medical attention immediately. Overdosage resulting in death may occur in adults. Do not exceed a single dose of 200 mg and a total daily dosage of 600 mg. If you miss a dose of TESSALON, skip that dose and take the next dose at the next scheduled time. Do not take 2 doses of TESSALON at one time.

OVERDOSE Intentional and unintentional overdose may result in death, particularly in children. The drug is chemically related to tetracaine and other topical anesthetics and shares various aspects of their pharmacology and toxicology. Drugs of this type are generally well absorbed after ingestion. Signs And Symptoms The signs and symptoms of overdose of benzonatate have been reported within 15–20 minutes. If capsules are chewed or dissolved in the mouth, oropharyngeal anesthesia will develop rapidly, which may cause choking and airway compromise. CNS stimulation may cause restlessness and tremors which may proceed to clonic convulsions followed by profound CNS depression. Convulsions, coma, cerebral edema and cardiac arrest leading to death have been reported within 1 hour of ingestion. Treatment In case of overdose, seek medical attention immediately. Evacuate gastric contents and administer copious amounts of activated charcoal slurry. Even in the conscious patient, cough and gag reflexes may be so depressed as to necessitate special attention to protection against aspiration of gastric contents and orally administered materials. Convulsions should be treated with a short-acting barbiturate given intravenously and carefully titrated for the smallest effective dosage. Intensive support of respiration and cardiovascular-renal function is an essential feature of the treatment of severe intoxication from overdosage. Do not use CNS stimulants. CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to benzonatate or related compounds.

SIDE EFFECTS Potential Adverse Reactions to TESSALON may include: Hypersensitivity reactions including bronchospasm, laryngospasm, cardiovascular collapse possibly related to local anesthesia from chewing or sucking the capsule. CNS: sedation; headache; dizziness; mental confusion; visual hallucinations. GI: constipation; nausea; GI upset. Dermatologic: pruritus; skin eruptions. Other: nasal congestion; sensation of burning in the eyes; vague “chilly” sensation; numbness of the chest; hypersensitivity. Deliberate or accidental overdose has resulted in death, particularly in children. DRUG INTERACTIONS No information provided.

WARNINGS Hypersensitivity Severe hypersensitivity reactions (including bronchospasm, laryngospasm and cardiovascular collapse) have been reported which are possibly related to local anesthesia from sucking or chewing the capsule instead of swallowing it. Severe reactions have required intervention with vasopressor agents and supportive measures. Psychiatric Effects Isolated instances of bizarre behavior, including mental confusion and visual hallucinations, have also been reported in patients taking TESSALON in combination with other prescribed drugs. Accidental Ingestion And Death In Children Keep TESSALON out of reach of children. Accidental ingestion of TESSALON resulting in death has been reported in children below age 10. Signs and symptoms of overdose have been reported within 15–20 minutes and death has been reported within one hour of ingestion. If accidental ingestion occurs, seek medical attention immediately (see OVERDOSAGE). PRECAUTIONS Benzonatate is chemically related to anesthetic agents of the para-amino-benzoic acid class (e.g. procaine; tetracaine) and has been associated with adverse CNS effects possibly related to a prior sensitivity to related agents or interaction with concomitant medication. Usage In Pregnancy Pregnancy Category C Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with TESSALON. It is also not known whether TESSALON can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. TESSALON should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Nursing Mothers It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk caution should be exercised when TESSALON is administered to a nursing woman. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility Carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproduction studies have not been conducted with TESSALON. Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in children below the age of 10 have not been established. Accidental ingestion resulting in death has been reported in children below age 10. Keep out of reach of children.