Pharmacological Effects and Uses of Local Anaesthetics

Issue 4 (1994) Article 7

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The Pharmacology of Local Anaesthetic Agents (Continued)

Table 2: Pharmacological effects & clinical uses of local anaesthetics

Ester or
Amide Onset of
Action Duration of
Action Clinical Use Properties

Procaine Ester Slow Short Limited.
Vascular spasm.
Diagnostic procedures. Vasodilation.
Allergenic.

Amethocaine Ester Slow Long Topical anaesthesia.
Spinal anaesthesia. High systemic toxicity.

Chloro-
procaine Ester Fast Short Peripheral anaesthesia.
Obstetric extradural blocks. Low systemic toxicity.

Mepivacaine Amide Fast Moderate Infiltration.
Peripheral nerve blocks. Versatile. Moderate vasodilation.

Prilocaine Amide Fast Moderate Infiltration.
Intravenous regional anaesthesia.
Peripheral nerve blocks. Methaemo-
globinaemia at high doses. Least systemic toxicity of amides.

Bupivacaine Amide Moderate Long Infiltration.
Peripheral nerve blocks.
Extradural & spinal blocks. Separation of sensory & motor blockades.

Etidocaine Amide Fast Long Infiltration.
Peripheral nerve blocks.
Extradural blocks. Profound motor blockade.

Lignocaine Amide Fast Moderate Infiltration /Topical.
Intravenous regional anaesthesia.
Peripheral nerve blocks.
Extradural & spinal blocks. Most versatile agent. Moderate vasodilation.