What is "benzonatate"

n. (context pharmaceutical drug English) A particular kind of non-narcotic cough suppressant, taken orally.

Benzonatate is a non- narcotic oral cough suppressant, or antitussive, with effects that last from 6 to 8 hours. Since it is not an opioid, benzonatate is not as prone to abuse like some other cough medications such as codeine. Benzonatate was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1958.