Benzydamine is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that reduces local inflammation and pain. It also has a local anesthetic action.

It is used in the following conditions:

• For the symptomatic relief of oropharyngeal mucositis due to radiation therapy

• For the relief of pain associated with a sore throat and acute pharyngitis.

Benzydamine Dose in Adults

Dose in the treatment of Mucositis:

• 15 mL of an undiluted solution as a gargle or oral rinse 3 or 4 times a day depending on the severity.
• Treatment should begin at least one day before radiation therapy and continued until healing occurs.
• Contact with oral mucosa should be maintained for at least 30 seconds before spitting it out.

Dose in the treatment of acute Pharyngitis:

• Gargle with 15 mL of undiluted solution every 1 to 3 hours until the symptoms resolve.
• The solution should not be swallowed and should be expelled after gargles.

Benzydamine Dose in Childrens

 Dose in the treatment of Mucositis:

• Children older than 6 years and Adolescents:
  • Oral rinse:
    • Refer to adult dosing.

Dose in the treatment of acute Pharyngitis:

• Children older than 6 years and Adolescents:
  • Oral rinse:
    • Refer to adult dosing.

Pregnancy Risk Factor: C

• Pregnant patients have not been shown to be safe from the drug.

Use of benzydamine during breastfeeding

• It is unknown if the drug can be found in breast milk.

Benzydamine Dose in Renal Disease:

• Adjustment in the dose has not been recommended by the manufacturer in patients with renal disease.
• It should be used with caution as some absorption may occur.

Benzydamine Dose in Liver Disease:

 Adjustment in the dose has not been recommended by the manufacturer in patients with liver disease.

Side effects :

Frequency not always defined.

• Central nervous system:
  • Localized numbness
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
• Dermatologic:
  • Burning sensation of skin
  • Stinging of the skin
• Gastrointestinal:
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Xerostomia
• Respiratory:
  • Cough
  • Pharyngitis

Contraindication to Benzydamine include:

• Allergy to benzydamine, or any component of the formulation

Warnings and Precautions

• Burning and irritation:
  • Inflamed mucosa can cause local irritation and burning sensations.
  • It can be diluted in lukewarm, 1:1 water if it is not tolerable.
• Renal impairment
  • It can be absorbed through the oral mucosa. Patients with impaired renal function should use caution.

Monitoring parameters:

None required.

How to administer Benzydamine?

• Oral rinse:
  • The liquid should not be swallowed.
  • If local irritation occurs, it should be diluted in lukewarm water in a ratio of 1:1.
• Mucositis:
  • To maintain contact with inflamed mucosa, rinse for at least 30 seconds.
  • Treatment should be initiated one day before radiation therapy and continued after the completion of radiation therapy until healing occurs.
• Pharyngitis:
  • Perform throat gargles and spit the solution out.

Mechanism of action of Benzydamine:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce pain and inflammation by inducing proinflammatory cytokines. 
• It can also be used to anesthetize local areas.

AbsorptionOral rinse via the oral mucosa may cause this. Peak action takes approximately 2 hours and is excreted primarily through the urine.  

International Brands of Benzydamine:

• APO-Benzydamine
• NOVO-Benzydamine
• Odan-Benzydamine
• Pharixia
• PMS-Benzydamine
• Tantum Oral Rinse
• Andolex
• Andosept
• Benamine
• Bendamina
• Benzirin
• Benzycol Verde
• Bevidam
• Bezalon
• Bucco Tantum
• Bucodrin
• Dantum
• Dentodrin
• Difflam Forte
• Ernex
• Forteza
• Lonol
• Opalgyne
• Orocalm
• Orocalm Forte
• Tanflex
• Tantum
• Tantum Forte
• Tantum
• Gargle
• Tantum Rosa
• Tantum Rose
• Tantum Verde
• Tantum Verde P
• Unitum
• Vantal
• Verd
• Zyx

Benzydamine Brands in Pakistan: