Benzocaine: Indication, Dosage, Side Effect, Precaution

This information is not country-specific. Please refer to the Myanmar prescribing information.

Generic Medicine Info

Indications and Dosage

Mouth/Throat
Surface anaesthesia of mouth and throat

Adult: As gel, paste, spray or soln up to 20%: Apply to affected area up to 4 times daily.

Mouth/Throat
Sore throat

Adult: As loz: Up to 10 mg to be dissolved slowly in the mouth and repeated 2 hrly, as necessary. As spray: 3 sprays (3 mg) to the back of throat, repeat 2-3 hrly. Max: 8 doses daily.
Child: 6-12 yr As spray: 1 spray (1 mg) to the back of throat, repeat 2-3 hrly. Max: 8 doses daily.

Topical/Cutaneous
Topical anaesthesia, Topical analgesia

Adult: As 5-20% spray, cream, oint, lotion, gel or soln: Apply 3-4 times daily.

Contraindications

Epiglottis (oral spray), methaemoglobinaemia.

Special Precautions

Patient w/ asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease; smokers. Childn. Pregnancy and lactation.

Adverse Reactions

Localised burning or erythema, stinging sensation, contact dermatitis, rash, urticaria, methaemoglobinaemia, oedema, tenderness.

Monitoring Parameters

Monitor for signs and symptoms of methaemoglobinaemia.

Overdosage

Methaemoglobinaemia, manifested by cyanotic (greyish) skin discolouration, unusual breathing or breathlessness. Management: Symptomatic and supportive treatment. IV methylene blue 1% may be administered.

Drug Interactions

May antagonise the therapeutic effect of sulfonamides. Anticholinesterases may inhibit the metabolism benzocaine.

Action

Description: Benzocaine, an ester local anaesthetic, blocks the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses by decreasing the neuronal membrane’s permeability to Na ions, which results in inhibition of depolarisation w/ resultant blockade of conduction.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Well absorbed from mucous membranes and traumatised skin; poorly absorbed from intact skin.
Metabolism: Metabolised in the liver (lesser extent) and plasma via hydrolysis by cholinesterase.
Excretion: Via urine, as metabolites.

Chemical Structure

Storage

Store between 15-30°C.

MIMS Class

Anaesthetics - Local & General / Other Ear Preparations / Preparations for Oral Ulceration & Inflammation

ATC Classification

N01BA05 - benzocaine ; Belongs to the class of esters of aminobenzoic acid. Used as local anesthetics.
R02AD01 - benzocaine ; Belongs to the class of local anesthetics used in throat preparations.
C05AD03 - benzocaine ; Belongs to the class of local anesthetics. Used in the topical treatment of hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
D04AB04 - benzocaine ; Belongs to the class of topical anesthetics used in the treatment of pruritus.

References

Alcohol Prep Pad with Benzocaine (H and P Industries, Inc. dba Triad Group). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/. Accessed 17/08/2016.

Anon. Benzocaine. Lexicomp Online. Hudson, Ohio. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 17/08/2016.

Buckingham R (ed). Benzocaine. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 17/08/2016.

Denti-Care Denti-Freeze Topical Anesthetic Bubblegum (AR Medicom Inc). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/. Accessed 17/08/2016.

McEvoy GK, Snow EK, Miller J et al (eds). Benzocaine (EENT). AHFS Drug Information (AHFS DI) [online]. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 17/08/2016.

McEvoy GK, Snow EK, Miller J et al (eds). Benzocaine (Topical). AHFS Drug Information (AHFS DI) [online]. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 17/08/2016.

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