Apraclonidine Hydrochloride and Tessalon

• Generic Name: apraclonidine ophthalmic
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Iopidine

Apraclonidine 1% is used prophylactically to prevent or reduce intraoperative and postoperative increases in intraocular pressure (IOP) before and after ocular laser surgery (e.g., argon laser trabeculoplasty, argon laser iridotomy, neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet [Nd:YAG] laser posterior capsulotomy).

Apraclonidine 0.5% is used for short-term (<1 month) adjunctive therapy in patients with open-angle glaucoma receiving maximally tolerated drug therapy (i.e., a topical β-adrenergic blocking agent in conjunction with a systemically administered carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and a sympathomimetic and/or a parasympathomimetic agent) who require additional reduction in IOP.

• Generic Name: benzonatate
• Dosage Forms: capsule
• Other Brand Names: Tessalon Perles, Tessalon, Zonatuss

Used for symptomatic relief of cough.

May be effective in suppressing cough in acute respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, pertussis, and the common cold; and in chronic diseases such as pulmonary emphysema, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, and pulmonary tumor.

Has been shown to be more effective than codeine in reducing the frequency of experimentally induced cough, and may be effective in providing symptomatic relief in patients with opiate-resistant cough.

Has been applied locally in the oral cavity in adults by releasing the drug from the liquid-filled capsules (e.g., by chewing or dissolving two 100-mg liquid-filled capsules in the mouth) to provide sufficient oropharyngeal anesthesia for conscious intubation.

Do not employ this method of administration when the drug is used as an antitussive because of the risk of potentially life-threatening complications resulting from local effects on the oropharyngeal tract. (See Sensitivity Reactions under Cautions and also Oral Administration under Dosage and Administration.)