Benzonotate for coughing

My question that I posted was about Benzonenotate and every answer I'm receiving is about saline. Does anyone have any advice about the benzonotate cough medicine?

In general, docs don’t want to suppress a cough because they want us to cough out the sputum because it makes a nice home for bacteria.. It’s usually mucus in airway that triggers a cough.
It sounds like your airways are generally inflamed when you’re sick and is probably the reason your doc gave it to you. I’ve had it prescribed a few times and it did nothing! I told my PCP it was useless when I had an URI last year and she said people love it or hate. As I thought about it later, my theory is that my issue is usually increased secretions and maybe those with dry coughs are helped.

Since it helped and rest is important and doc ok’d, maybe use it sparingly and don’t use before airway clearance. I see different half life’s of 1 (most) to 3 hours and its duration is 3-8.

I’d discuss with pulmonologist at next appointment or send message now if you want. I have been offered steroids in past for this type coughing episode and didn’t take them due to bronchiectasis. I asked my pulmonologist next time and he said it would help settle the inflammation and short course would be ok. Good luck. That prolonged coughing is the pits

Thank you for your advice

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I am not sure. I will ask. I do have kidney disease and have a sodium restriction. Not sure if that is why. I do want to use more!

I’ll try every other day for a start. I didn’t start bringing up secretions until I switched to 7%. I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place. The 7% saline is keeping my out of the Infectious Disease office but these coughing spasms are getting more severe.

Yesterday's coughing spasms and overreactive airway at the end of the day were the last straw for me. I am going to cut the 7% hypertonic saline out and go to 3% hypertonic saline for the time being. I start the day feeling great but by late afternoon after nebulizing twice with 7% I am noticing a respiratory tree on fire. This is impacting my sleep because of the coughing jags and needing to get up and try autogenic breathing. I am also noting that the sputum at night is basically white foam. So like you I am wondering about needed changes. I have never grown MAC but other types of bacteria. I will let you know how this all goes. Like Sue for me these feel like choking.

Do the people who feel like they are choking with 7% saline take 2 puffs of albuterol 10 minutes before nebbing with the hypertonic saline?

To OP: I took benzonotate recently and it was very helpful for controlling my cough. Before taking it, I took 2 puffs of albuterol, followed by 7% saline 10 minutes later, airway clearance then 1 tessalon pearl (lowest dose). It worked! Pulmonary would not want me taking it often for cough suppression but every once in a while is ok. For example, I'll plan to take a single dose again approximately once a week for upcoming events out in the world. Sometimes weeks go by I will not take it at all. Situational dependent for me.

Yes, from what little I read after receiving your answer it indicated there are benefits and risks, as with everything pretty much, and especially with kidney disease.
However, I would think it is a good thing to have a full discussion of it...or any time we are given medical information, in particular, for complete communication......... when we can.
I myself was concerned with the nebulizing treatment due to the sodium and did realize and think it might affect the kidneys. Drinking water helps loosen the mucus and also flushes out sodium so again with hydrating, that is also necessary, we have to pay attention to our body and systems to know if there is a change when doing something new or long term. I have had to somewhat increase my sodium due to flushing it out with hydration. I eat salted nuts and seeds to help with that and then have to be careful how much I eat. All things are truly a delicate balance.
Sorry to hear you also have a diagnosis of Kidney Disease. Hope you are having a good day.
Barbara

Consuming sodium if you have kidney disease is not good. Losing too much sodium through increased hydration is almost impossible. Please be aware of this if you have any kidney issues.

Hi, I should have clarified....this is what I was fully referring to. Thanks.
"Yes, drinking water causes urination, and in some cases, it can lead to a decrease in blood sodium levels, a condition called hyponatremia. While drinking water is essential for overall health, consuming too much can overwhelm the kidneys' ability to excrete excess fluid, potentially diluting sodium levels in the blood"
Is this what we are both referring to?
Thanks.
Barbara