A white, odorless, tasteless crystalline ester, C6H4NH2CO2C2H5, used as a local anesthetic.
benzocaine
Dictionary:
ben·zo·caine (bĕn'zə-kān')  |
| 5min Related Video: benzocaine |
| Dental Dictionary: benzocaine |
n
A local anesthetic agent derived from aminobenzoic acid, used in many over-the-counter compounds for pruritus and pain. A minimum of 5% benzocaine is required for a compound to be effective.
| Drug Info: Benzocaine |
Brand names: Americaine® Anesthetic LubricantAmericaine® First Aid SprayAmericaine® HemorrhoidalAmericaine® Hemorrhoidal OintmentAmericaine® OticAnacaine®Anbesol® Baby TeethAnbesol® Cold SoreAnbesol® JuniorAnbesol® Maximum StrengthAnbesol® Oral AnestheticCepacol® Maximum StrengthCepacol® Maximum Strength Sugar FreeComfort Caine™DentiCare™ AnestheticDermoplast®Detane®Dry Socket™ Remedy LiquidFoille Plus®Freez Eez™Gingicaine™Hurricaine®Isodettes®Lanacane®Little Teethers®Maintain®Mosco® Nail A CainNumzident®Orabase B®Orabase® Baby Teething GelOrabase® Lip HealerOrabase® with BenzocaineOrajel®Orajel® BabyOrajel® Baby NighttimeOrajel® Baby Nighttime GelOrajel® DOrajel® DentureOrajel® Maximum StrengthOrajel® Mouth-Aid LiquidOrajel® P.M.Orajel® UltraOticaine™Otocain®Outgro® Pain ReliefPain Relieving Pro-caine™Retre Gel™Rid-A-Pain® GelSolarcaine® Plus AloeSting-Kill®Topex™Topicale™ XtraZilactin® Baby GelZilactin® Toothache SwabsZilactin®-B
Chemical formula:
- Drug Forms:
- Benzocaine Dental gel (below)
- Benzocaine Dental gel, Poloxamer 407, Simethicone Dental gel
- Benzocaine Dental stick
- Benzocaine Gingival gel
- Benzocaine Gingival solution
- Benzocaine Medicated topical sponge
- Benzocaine Oral lozenge
- Benzocaine Oromucosal gel
- Benzocaine Oromucosal paste
- Benzocaine Oromucosal patch/disc
- Benzocaine Oromucosal solution
- Benzocaine Otic drops, solution
- Benzocaine Rectal ointment
- Benzocaine Topical ointment
- Benzocaine Topical solution
- Benzocaine Topical solution, spray
- Benzocaine, Menthol Dental gel
- Benzocaine, Menthol Topical gel
- Español:
- Denzocaína, Gel dental
- Benzocaína Gel dental; Poloxamero 407; Simeticona Gel dental
- Benzocaína, Palo dental
- Benzocaína, Gel gingival
- Benzocaína, Solución gingival
- Benzocaína, Esponja tópica medicinal
- Benzocaína, Pastilla oral
- Benzocaína, Gel oromucosa
- Benzocaína, Pasta oromucosa
- Benzocaína, Parche/disco oromucosa
- Benzocaína, Solución oromucosa
- Benzocaína, Gotas óticas, solución
- Benzocaína, Pomada rectal
- Benzocaína, Pomada tópica
- Benzocaína, Solución tópica
- Benzocaína, Solución tópica, aerosol
- Benzocaína, Mentol, Gel dental
- Benzocaína, Mentol, Gel tópico
Benzocaine Dental gel
What is this medicine?
BENZOCAINE causes loss of feeling on the skin and in the mouth. This helps relieve mouth pain.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• mouth sores or infection
• an unusual or allergic reaction to benzocaine, para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is applied to the affected area of the mouth or gums. Wash your hands before and after using this medicine. Follow the directions on the label or those given to you by your doctor or health care professional. Do not use this medicine more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this medicine may be used in children as young as 4 months for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you are taking choline salicylate on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.What may interact with this medicine?
• sulfonamides like sulfacetamide, sulfamethoxazole, sulfisoxazole, and others
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
This medicine is not for long-term use. Do not use for longer than directed on the label or your doctor or health care professional. Do not use on large areas of broken or damaged skin. Contact your doctor or health care professional if your condition does not start to get better within a few days or if you notice redness, itching or swelling.
The affected area of your mouth will be numb. Try to avoid injury to that area. To avoid biting the tongue or cheek, or difficulty swallowing, do not chew gum or food until the numbness wears off.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• dizziness or drowsiness
• fast or slow heartbeat
• headache
• increased sweating
• restlessness, nervousness, anxiety
• seizures
• tremor
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• redness, swelling, or pain
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Last updated: 7/1/2002
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
| Wikipedia: Benzocaine |
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Benzocaine
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| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
| ethyl p-aminobenzoate | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| ATC code | C05 D04, QN01, N01, R02 |
| PubChem | |
| DrugBank | |
| ChemSpider | |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C9H11NO2 |
| Mol. mass | 165.189 g/mol |
| SMILES | & |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | ? |
| Metabolism | ? |
| Half life | ? |
| Excretion | ? |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. |
C(US) |
| Legal status | |
| Routes | Topical |
Benzocaine is a local anesthetic commonly used as a topical pain reliever. It is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter anesthetic ointments (e.g. products for oral ulcers of Anbesol by Wyeth, Kank+a by Blistex, Orabase B and Orajel by Del Pharmaceuticals, and Ultracare by Ultradent). It is also combined with antipyrine to form A/B Otic Drops, (Brand name Auralgan) to relieve earpain and remove cerumen.
Contents |
Chemical properties
Benzocaine is the ethyl ester of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA); it can be prepared from PABA and ethanol by
History
Benzocaine was first synthesised by a German chemical firm named Ritsert, in the town of Eberbach.
How it relieves pain
Pain is caused by the stimulation of free nerve endings. When the nerve endings are stimulated, sodium enters the neuron, which causes an electrical potential to build up in the nerve. Once the electrical potential becomes big enough the signal is propagated down the nerve toward the central nervous system, which interprets this as pain.
Esters of PABA work as a chemical barrier, stopping the sodium from being able to enter the nerve ending.
Side effects
Allergic reactions occur with ester local anaesthetics (like benzocaine) because of the PABA structure.
Benzocaine also is a well-known cause of methemoglobinemia. Because it may be used in topical creams with a concentration as much as 20%, it is not difficult to administer a dose sufficient to cause this problem.
Other risks
Over-application of oral anesthetics such as Anbesol can increase the risk of pulmonary aspiration by relaxing the gag-reflex and allowing regurgitated stomach contents or oral secretions to enter the airway. Applying an oral anesthetic and consuming beverages before going to bed can be particularly hazardous.
Other uses
Benzocaine is used as a key ingredient in numerous pharmecuticals:
- Phenazone, an anti-inflammatory.
- Some glycerol-based ear medications for use in removing excess wax as well as relieving ear conditions such as Otitis Media and swimmers ear.
- Some previous diet products such as Ayds.
- Vagisil.
- Some condoms designed to prevent premature ejaculation. Benzocaine acts to desensitizes the penis to allow the erection to be maintained.[1][2]
Benzocaine is often favoured by drug dealers to bulk out their cocaine supplies; while many dealers use the cheaper parcetemol or corn flour, Benzocaine gives a numbing effect (implicative of purer cocaine). Although this is a more expensive way of cutting drugs for resale, end users are often fooled into thinking the drug is of higher purity, and are therefore willing to pay more.[citation needed]
Misconceptions
In Phillip K. Dick's book A Scanner Darkly, one of the main characters attempts to extract pure cocaine out of a bottle of sunburn spray by freezing it, claiming that benzocaine is simply an industry name for cocaine.
References
- ^ "Performa". Durex. http://www.durexworld.com/en-GB/Products/Condoms/Pages/Performa.aspx. Retrieved on 2009-04-06.
- ^ "TROJAN® Extended Pleasure™ Condoms with Climax Control Lubricant". Trojan. http://www.trojancondoms.com/Product/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=31. Retrieved on 2009-04-06.
External links
- FDA investigation of the possible adverse effects of benzocaine mouth and throat sprays.
- Safety data from the Chemistry Department at Oxford University.
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Dental Dictionary. Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Drug Info. Gold Standard. Copyright © 2008 by Gold Standard. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Benzocaine". Read more |
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