Study Finds Increase in Unintentional Ingestions, Misuse and Abuse of Cough Suppressant Benzonatate

A study, “Benzonatate Exposure Trends and Adverse Events,” found an increase in children ages 0-5 who unintentionally ingested the cough suppressant benzonatate between 2010-2018, placing them at risk for adverse effects. During the same period, the number of children ages 10-15 who intentionally ingested the medication also rose, according to the study published in the December 2022 issue of Pediatrics (published online Nov. 15). Benzonatate is a non-narcotic antitussive medication first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1958 for cough relief in patients ages 10 and older. Researchers analyzed national pharmacy dispensing and sales data, as well as reports to the National Poison Data System, National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-Cooperative Adverse Drug Event Surveillance project, FDA Adverse Event Reporting System, and medical literature. Among the 4,689 pediatric benzonatate exposure cases reported to U.S. poison control centers from 2010-2018, 3,727 cases (80%) were for single-substance exposures. Of these, 3,590 cases (77%) were unintentional exposures and most involved children 0-5 years old (2,718 cases, 83%). Most benzonatate cases involving misuse or abuse were for children 10-16 years old (59 cases, 61%). The proportion of cases with serious adverse effects was low. The authors suggest that the rise in benzonatate utilization may be a secondary effect of public health efforts to curb inappropriate narcotic prescription use. They note that prescriptions for codeine- and hydrocodone-containing antitussive medications simultaneously decreased over the same study period. The authors suggest that physicians who prescribe benzonatates should talk with patients and caregivers about keeping the medication out of reach of children.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.