Anesthetics (Topical)

Category

• Anesthetic, local - Benzocaine; Benzocaine and Menthol; Butamben; Dibucaine; Lidocaine; Pramoxine; Pramoxine and Menthol; Tetracaine; Tetracaine and Menthol

Description

This medicine belongs to a group of medicines known as topical local anesthetics (an-ess-THET-iks) . Topical anesthetics are used to relieve pain and itching caused by conditions such as sunburn or other minor burns, insect bites or stings, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and minor cuts and scratches.

Topical anesthetics deaden the nerve endings in the skin. They do not cause unconsciousness as do general anesthetics used for surgery.

Most topical anesthetics are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use and dose for your medical problem.

These medicines are available in the following dosage forms:

Topical
• Benzocaine
  • Cream (U.S.)
  • Ointment (U.S.)
  • Topical aerosol (U.S.)
  • Topical spray solution (Canada)
• Benzocaine and Menthol
  • Lotion (U.S.)
  • Topical aerosol solution (U.S. and Canada)
• Butamben
  • Ointment (U.S.)
• Dibucaine
  • Cream (U.S.)
  • Ointment (U.S. and Canada)
• Lidocaine
  • Film-forming gel (U.S.)
  • Jelly (Canada)
  • Ointment (U.S. and Canada)
  • Topical aerosol (Canada)
  • Topical spray solution (Canada)
• Pramoxine
  • Cream (U.S. and Canada)
  • Lotion (U.S.)
• Pramoxine and Menthol
  • Gel (U.S. and Canada)
  • Lotion (U.S.)
• Tetracaine
  • Cream (U.S.)
• Tetracaine and Menthol
  • Ointment (U.S.)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S. -

• Almay Anti-itch Lotion ⁷
• Americaine Topical Anesthetic First Aid Ointment ¹
• Americaine Topical Anesthetic Spray ¹
• Butesin Picrate ³
• DermaFlex ⁵
• Dermoplast ²
• Lagol ¹
• Nupercainal Cream ⁴
• Nupercainal Ointment ⁴
• Pontocaine Cream ⁸
• Pontocaine Ointment ⁹
• Pramegel ⁷
• Prax ⁶
• Tronothane ⁶
• Xylocaine ⁵

In Canada -

• After Burn Double Strength Gel ⁵
• After Burn Double Strength Spray ⁵
• After Burn Gel ⁵
• After Burn Spray ⁵
• Alphacaine ⁵
• Dermoplast ²
• Endocaine ¹
• Norwood Sunburn Spray ⁵
• Nupercainal Ointment ⁴
• Pramegel ⁷
• Shield Burnasept Spray ¹
• Tronothane ⁶
• Xylocaine ⁵

Other commonly used names are: Amethocaine Butyl aminobenzoate Cinchocaine Ethyl aminobenzoate Lignocaine Pramocaine