Benzocaine
Patient Counselling
Patient Counselling
When is it not safe to use this medication?
- Do not use this produce if you have a history of allergy to local anesthetics, such as procaine, butacaine, or any other ‘caine’ anesthetics.
- Do not use in a child under 5 years of age.
What is this medication used for?
- Benzocaine sore throat lozenge is used for temporary fast relief of sore throat
How to take this medication?
- Allow lozenge to dissolve slowly in the mouth; may be repeated every 2 hours as needed or as directed by a doctor. Check the package labelling for exact dosing instructions.
- Do no chew or swallow it whole.
- If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. Continue to use it as directed. Do not take 2 doses at once.
- Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Benzocaine lozenges.
What are some side effects of this medication?
- Some common side effects include dermatologic effects (contact dermatitis) and gastrointestinal effects (disorder of taste)
mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
o Fever, swelling, or rash
o Increased pain, irritation, or redness
- This medicine may cause a rare, but serious blood problem called methemoglobinemia (e.g. respiratory distress, cyanosis). The risk may be increased in infants younger than 4 months of age, elderly patients, or patients with certain inborn defects. It has occurred when patients receive too much of the medicine, but can also occur with small amounts.
When do I need to call my doctor?
- If sore throat is severe, persists for more than 2 days, is accompanied or followed by fever, rash, nausea, or vomiting consult a doctor promptly.
- This medicine is not for long-term use. Do not use this medicine for more than 7 days and report to the doctor if sore throat symptoms do not improve in 7 days; irritation, pain or redness persists or worsens; and swelling, rash or fever develops.
How do I store and/or throw out this medication?
- Store at room temperature (20-25C) and protect contents from humidity, moisture, and direct sunlight. Keep it out of reach of children.
- Ask your pharmacist or doctor about the best way to dispose of any outdate medicine or medicine no longer needed.
References
1. Lexi-comp [Internet]. Benzocaine. [Cited on March 16, 2013]. Benzocaine. Available from http://www.lexi.com.
2. Micromedex [Internet]. Benzocaine. [Cited on March 16, 2013]. Benzocaine. Available from http://www.thomsonhc.com/micromedex2.
When is it not safe to use this medication?
- Do not use this produce if you have a history of allergy to local anesthetics, such as procaine, butacaine, or any other ‘caine’ anesthetics.
- Do not use in a child under 5 years of age.
What is this medication used for?
- Benzocaine sore throat lozenge is used for temporary fast relief of sore throat
How to take this medication?
- Allow lozenge to dissolve slowly in the mouth; may be repeated every 2 hours as needed or as directed by a doctor. Check the package labelling for exact dosing instructions.
- Do no chew or swallow it whole.
- If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. Continue to use it as directed. Do not take 2 doses at once.
- Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Benzocaine lozenges.
What are some side effects of this medication?
- Some common side effects include dermatologic effects (contact dermatitis) and gastrointestinal effects (disorder of taste)
- Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
o Fever, swelling, or rash
o Increased pain, irritation, or redness
- This medicine may cause a rare, but serious blood problem called methemoglobinemia (e.g. respiratory distress, cyanosis). The risk may be increased in infants younger than 4 months of age, elderly patients, or patients with certain inborn defects. It has occurred when patients receive too much of the medicine, but can also occur with small amounts.
When do I need to call my doctor?
- If sore throat is severe, persists for more than 2 days, is accompanied or followed by fever, rash, nausea, or vomiting consult a doctor promptly.
- This medicine is not for long-term use. Do not use this medicine for more than 7 days and report to the doctor if sore throat symptoms do not improve in 7 days; irritation, pain or redness persists or worsens; and swelling, rash or fever develops.
How do I store and/or throw out this medication?
- Store at room temperature (20-25C) and protect contents from humidity, moisture, and direct sunlight. Keep it out of reach of children.
- Ask your pharmacist or doctor about the best way to dispose of any outdate medicine or medicine no longer needed.
References
1. Lexi-comp [Internet]. Benzocaine. [Cited on March 16, 2013]. Benzocaine. Available from http://www.lexi.com.
2. Micromedex [Internet]. Benzocaine. [Cited on March 16, 2013]. Benzocaine. Available from http://www.thomsonhc.com/micromedex2.