Benzocaine
Indications
Benzocaine is used for:
Pain due to minor injury, irritation of the mouth and gums like, toothache, sore gums, canker sores, braces, minor dental procedures, dentures.
Adult Dose
Apply to the affected area up to 4 times daily.
Elderly: May require lower doses.
Child Dose
Child: Not recommended for child under 3 yr old.
Renal Dose
Administration
Contra Indications
Hypersensitivity.
Precautions
Avoid: Contact with eyes; prolonged use or application on extensive areas. Avoid eating or drinking for at least 1 hr after use;
Lactation: excretion in milk unknown; use with caution
Pregnancy-Lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown; use with caution
Interactions
Antagonism with sulfonamides; aminosalicylic acid; anticholinesterases; suxamethonium; antiarrhythmics; MAOIs; TCAs.
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Benzocaine :
Allergies, swelling in the mouth or throat etc.
Mechanism of Action
Benzocaine is a local anaesthetic which acts by preventing the generation and transmission of impulses along nerve fibers and at nerve endings. Depolarisation and ion-exchange are inhibited. In general, loss of pain occurs before loss of sensory, autonomic and motor functions.