Benzocaine
Indications
Benzocaine is used for:
For the temporary relief of pain due to minor injury or 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
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.