ATC Group: C05AD Local anesthetics

Benzocaine is a local anaesthetic of the ester type, acting to produce reversible loss of sensation by preventing or diminishing the generation and transmission of sensory nerve impulses near the site of application. Depolarisation of the neuronal membrane and ion exchange are reversibly inhibited.

Cinchocaine is a local anaesthetic agent and is suitable for surface or spinal anaesthesia and for relaxing sphincteric spasms. It is an anaesthetic of the amide type. It is more toxic than cocaine by local application but its local anaesthetic action is greater so it can be used in lower concentrations. Its action is more prolonged than lignocaine.

Lidocaine, like other local anaesthetics, causes a reversible blockade of impulse propagation along nerve fibres by preventing the inward movement of sodium ions through the nerve membrane. Local anaesthetics of the amide-type are thought to act within the sodium channels of the nerve membrane.

Oxetacaine is a potent surface analgesic with the molecular formula N, N-bis-(N-methyl-N-phenyl-t-butyl-acetamide)-beta-hydroxyethylamine that conserves its unionized form at low pH levels. Its actions have shown to relieve dysphagia, relieve pain due to reflux, chronic gastritis, and duodenal ulcer.

Procaine is a benzoic acid derivative with local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic properties. Procaine binds to and inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels, thereby inhibiting the ionic flux required for the initiation and conduction of impulses. In addition, this agent increases electrical excitation threshold, reduces rate of rise of action potential and slows nerve impulse propagation thereby causing loss of sensation. Procaine is indicated for production of local or regional anesthesia, particularly for oral surgery. Procaine (like cocaine) has the advantage of constricting blood vessels which reduces bleeding, unlike other local anesthetics like lidocaine.

Tetracaine is a local anaesthetic and is believed to act by blocking nerve conduction mainly by inhibiting sodium ion flux across the axon membrane.