Benzonatate is a generic oral capsule that’s prescribed to relieve coughing. It’s available as the brand-name drug Tessalon. The cost of benzonatate with and without insurance can depend on several factors.
Benzonatate belongs to a drug class called antitussive agents, which are a type of cough suppressant. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to relieve coughing in adults and children ages 10 years and older.
Read on to learn about benzonatate and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. If you’d like other information about benzonatate, refer to this article.
As with all medications, the cost of benzonatate can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.
To find out what the cost of benzonatate will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers benzonatate. This means the company and your doctor will discuss benzonatate in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether benzonatate requires prior authorization.
Benzonatate is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
Benzonatate is available as the brand-name drug Tessalon. If your doctor has prescribed benzonatate and you’re interested in taking Tessalon instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.
To find out how the cost of this brand-name drug compares with the cost of benzonatate, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If you need financial support to pay for benzonatate, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:
These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and benzonatate.
How much does benzonatate cost without insurance?
Your cost of benzonatate without insurance depends on several factors, including:
- the pharmacy you use
- the quantity of benzonatate your doctor prescribes
- any discounts you may be eligible for
Contact your pharmacist if you have questions about the cost of benzonatate without insurance.
Is benzonatate covered by Medicare?
It may be. Different Medicare plans, such as Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage, provide coverage for certain prescription medications. To find out whether your plan covers benzonatate, contact your Medicare provider.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and benzonatate, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to benzonatate. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for benzonatate.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare prescription drug plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- Save money. Explore this article for tips about how to save money on prescriptions.
- More details. For details about other aspects of benzonatate, refer to this article.
- Information about cough. For more information about cough, see our flu hub and our list of respiratory articles.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.