I Have Been Sick With The Upper Respiratory Thing Going

Posted on Tue, 22 Jan 2019

Question: i have been sick with the upper respiratory thing going around dr gave me z pak today is 3rd day started severe coughing today my friend sent over benzonanate can i take that with zpack? i also take levorthryoxine,sertraline, and metformin everyday and 60 mg of allegra for angio edema and urticaria

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
benzonatate

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

welcome to the 'Ask a Doctor' service.

Benzonatate does not interact with the rest of the drugs you're using.
Z-pak may interact with sertraline and increase the QT interval (it's an ECG parameter) which may predispose to serious arrhythmias. In most cases no adverse effect is expected but there is some potential for complications. If you want to stay on the safe side then either sertraline will have to be stopped for a few days or z-pak would have to be substituted with another antibiotic.

Keep in mind that only your doctor should take such decisions though - do not try anything yourself.

I hope I've answered your question. Please let me know if you need further assistance.

Kind regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (17 minutes later)

Does Benzonatate cause gastric upset? I have a continent ileostomy

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
it may cause gastrointestinal symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Yes, benzonatate may cause gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, constipation and abdominal discomfort.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar