Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Benzonatate?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Benzonatate?
It is not considered safe to drink alcohol while taking Benzonatate, as doing so can increase the risk of side effects caused by both alcohol and the medication.
Although there is no specific interaction reported after the concomitant use of alcohol and Benzonatate, it’s still best to avoid it. Benzonatate is often used for symptomatic cough relief in respiratory tract infections (1,2).
In such a condition where your body is trying to recover from an active ongoing infection, it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol (3). This is because alcohol generally makes your body weak and it affects your immune system. This can make your body recover slowly from infections (4).
Potential risks of drinking alcohol while taking Benzonatate
Drinking alcohol while taking Benzonatate can lead to potential risks and should be avoided. Both alcohol and Benzonatate can cause central nervous system depression, which means they can slow down brain function and reflexes (2,3).
When taken together, the effects of alcohol and Benzonatate can be amplified, leading to increased drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination (4).
Combining alcohol with Benzonatate may also worsen other side effects of the medication, such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort. Additionally, alcohol can irritate the throat and respiratory system, which may worsen the side effects of Benzonatate, especially if taken to relieve cough symptoms (2,3).
Drinking alcohol while on Benzonatate may also increase the risk of experiencing more severe side effects, such as difficulty breathing, confusion, and even loss of consciousness. In some cases, this combination may also lead to respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening.
It is important to note that occasional alcohol consumption while being treated with Benzonatate may not pose any health risks. However, excessive alcohol intake can lead to disturbing side effects as discussed earlier.
To ensure your safety and well-being, it’s best to avoid consuming alcohol while taking Benzonatate. If you have any questions or concerns about using this medication and its potential interactions, it’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider.
Ensuring the safe and effective use of medications is crucial to making the most out of them. Always make sure that you take the right amount at the right time. It is also important to check for expiry dates before you take any medication.
When to consult your doctor?
You should consult your doctor if you experience any concerning or unusual symptoms while taking Benzonatate. These symptoms may include severe dizziness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent or worsening cough, or any signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, or swelling.
It’s also crucial to seek medical advice if you accidentally consume alcohol while on Benzonatate or if you experience any adverse effects from this combination, such as increased drowsiness or impaired coordination.
Additionally, if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, take other medications, or have a history of alcohol or substance abuse, it’s essential to talk to your healthcare provider before starting Benzonatate to ensure it is safe for you to use.
Never hesitate to reach out to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your medication or its interactions. They are there to help you and provide guidance to ensure your health and well-being.
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References
1.-
Costantino RC, Leonard J, Gorman EF, Ventura D, Baltz A, Gressler LE. Benzonatate Safety and Effectiveness: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Ann Pharmacother. 2023 Jan 23:10600280221135750. doi: 10.1177/10600280221135750. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36688284. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36688284/
2.-
LABEL: BENZONATATE capsule. DailyMed [Internet]. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=2256f7e4-b7e6-433f-941e-bf78ddcd55b2&type=pdf
3.-
Barr T, Helms C, Grant K, Messaoudi I. Opposing effects of alcohol on the immune system. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2016 Feb 4;65:242-51. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.09.001. Epub 2015 Sep 14. PMID: 26375241; PMCID: PMC4911891. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26375241/
4.-
Rehm J. The risks associated with alcohol use and alcoholism. Alcohol Res Health. 2011;34(2):135-43. PMID: 22330211; PMCID: PMC3307043. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22330211/
