Local anesthetics: review of pharmacological considerations

Anesth Prog. 2012 Summer;59(2):90-101; quiz 102-3. doi: 10.2344/0003-3006-59.2.90.

Abstract

Local anesthetics have an impressive history of efficacy and safety in medical and dental practice. Their use is so routine, and adverse effects are so infrequent, that providers may understandably overlook many of their pharmacotherapeutic principles. The purpose of this continuing education article is to provide a review and update of essential pharmacology for the various local anesthetic formulations in current use. Technical considerations will be addressed in a subsequent article.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Anesthesia Recovery Period
  • Anesthesia, Dental / methods
  • Anesthesia, Local
  • Anesthetics, Local / chemistry
  • Anesthetics, Local / pharmacology*
  • Anesthetics, Local / toxicity
  • Carticaine / pharmacology
  • Drug Hypersensitivity
  • Drug Interactions
  • Humans
  • Lidocaine / pharmacology
  • Maximum Tolerated Dose
  • Phentolamine / pharmacology
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / pharmacology

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents
  • Lidocaine
  • Carticaine
  • Phentolamine