anaesthetic

A substance that produces partial or complete loss of sensation either in a restricted area (regional and local anaesthetics) or in the whole body (general anaesthetic). Use of local anaesthetics to treat sports injuries and other ailments is permitted by the International Olympic Committee and most other sports federations, but only under certain conditions.

A substance that produces or complete loss of sensation either in a restricted area (regional and local anaesthetics) or in the whole body (general anaesthetic). See also narcotic analgesic.