What is benzonatate?

Benzonatate is generally a medicine that is prescribed in order to stop and avoid coughing. The medicine is part of a class called antitussives. Benzonatate works on the body by getting the cough reflex in the lungs and air passages to relax, thereby cutting down on coughing.

Benzonatate usually comes in pill form. The medicine is in a capsule and is generally prescribed as something that can be taken as needed but not more than three times per day. Some people have been prescribed benzonatate in order to treat a severe case of the hiccups because it relaxes muscles in the airways.