What is in benzonatate?

Benzonatate is the active drug. When people ask “what is in benzonatate,” they’re usually asking about the other ingredients in the product.

- Active ingredient: benzonatate (the cough-suppressing compound).
- Inactive/other ingredients: these vary by manufacturer and formulation. Typical soft-gel capsule products (like Tessalon Perles) use a gelatin capsule shell with a glycerin plasticizer and may include colorants (for the capsule). Inside the capsule are benzonatate beads in a small fatty vehicle.

Because the exact inactive ingredients differ by brand and lot, the best way to know the precise list is to check the product label or patient information leaflet for your specific product, or ask a pharmacist. If you have allergies to any excipients (or to local anesthetics in the same class), share that with your clinician or pharmacist.