Tetracaine hydrochloride is considered the most potent of the topical anesthetics. It is not made available for injection and with topical preparations is typically combined with other drugs.

• Classification: Tetracaine hydrochloride is an ester.
• Available concentration: 2% in topical preparations.
• Onset of action: Slow; peak effects may take up to 20 minutes.
• Duration: Approximately 45 minutes.
• Maximum recommended dose: 20 mg for topical administration; 1 mL of a 2% solution.
• Metabolism/excretion: Metabolized by plasma pseudocholinesterase/excreted in the kidneys.
• Pregnancy/lactation: FDA Category C/Caution is recommended during lactation.
• Special considerations: Highly soluble in lipids, making absorption into local tissues very rapid.

Application

Tetracaine hydrochloride is also known as ropivacaine hydrochloride, pantocaine, pantocaine and four ropivacaine hydrochloride. It is easily soluble in water and ethanol, but insoluble in ether, benzene. Tetracaine hydrochloride is a local anesthetic with long-acting ester. In addition, procaine is widely used in clinical, but because of its poor permeability and poor narcotic performance, a small tetracaine was found in 1930 found.

Tetracaine hydrochloride can be used for topical anesthesia, and 0.05%-0.1% tetracaine hydrochloride can provide long-term and good effect of surface anesthesia. Meanwhile, tetracaine hydrochloride is still widely used in ophthalmic surface anesthesia, which has a long time for surface anesthesia and sensory resistance.

Side Effects

Common side effects include a brief period of burning at the site of use.Allergic reactions may uncommonly occur. Long term use is generally not recommended as it may slow healing of the eye. It is unclear if use during pregnancy is safe for the baby. Tetracaine hydrochloride is in the ester-type local anesthetic family of medications. It works by blocking the sending of nerve impulses.